Date:

Staff Selection Commission (SSC)

Block No.-12
CGO Complex,
Lodhi Road,New Delhi.

Phone: 011- 2436 4792Fax: 011- 2436 6609

Request for Proposal

For Providing Computer Based Examination Services

th

Closing Date & time: 17 July, 2015 (12.00 Noon)

th

19 June,2015

Table of Contents
1.

General Information.......................................................................................................... 4

2.

Request for Proposal ......................................................................................................... 5

3.

Background Information ................................................................................................... 5

3.1

Basic Information ........................................................................................................................ 5

3.2

Project Background ..................................................................................................................... 5

3.3

Key Information........................................................................................................................... 6
4.

Instructions to the Bidders ................................................................................................ 6

4.1

General ........................................................................................................................................ 6

4.2

Completeness of Response ......................................................................................................... 6

4.3

Pre-Bid Meeting & Clarifications ................................................................................................. 7

4.4

Tenure of the Contract ................................................................................................................ 8

4.5

Key Requirements of the Bid ....................................................................................................... 8

4.6

Preparation of Proposal .............................................................................................................. 9

4.7

Evaluation Process .................................................................................................................... 10

5.

Criteria for Evaluation ..................................................................................................... 11

5.1

Pre-Qualification (PQ) Criteria ................................................................................................... 11

5.2

Financial Bid Evaluation............................................................................................................. 12

6.

Other Terms & Conditions .............................................................................................. 12

7.

Appointment of Successful Bidder .................................................................................. 13

7.1

Award Criteria ........................................................................................................................... 13

7.2

Right to Accept Any Proposal and To Reject Any or All Proposal(s) .......................................... 14

7.3

Notification of Award .............................................................................................................. 144

7.4

Performance Guarantee............................................................................................................ 14

7.5

Signing of Contract .................................................................................................................... 14

7.6

Failure to Agree with the Terms and Conditions of the RFP...................................................... 15

8.

Scope of Work ................................................................................................................. 15

8.1

Identification and Preparation of test centres across India as per the requirement: ............... 15

8.2

Infrastructure & facilities at test centres:.................................................................................. 16

8.3

Question bank and dispatch of question papers: ...................................................................... 18

8.4

Capturing biometric and photograph candidates registration .................................................. 19

8.5

Recording of each exam lab. ..................................................................................................... 20

8.6

Conduct the computer based exam: ......................................................................................... 20

8.7

Post Exam Services .................................................................................................................... 22

8.8

Time Frame ............................................................................................................................... 22

8.9

Information security and data privacy ...................................................................................... 22

9.

Infrastructure Compliance Review .................................................................................. 23

10.

Payment Schedules ......................................................................................................... 23

11.

Financial Bid .................................................................................................................... 24

12.

Fraud and Corrupt Practices ............................................................................................ 25

13.

Force Majeure ................................................................................................................. 25

14.

Arbitration ....................................................................................................................... 26

15.

Jurisdiction ...................................................................................................................... 26

16.

Liquidated Damage ......................................................................................................... 26

17.

Conflict of Interest........................................................................................................... 27

18.

Annexure .. Compliance Report w.r.t. Scope of Work .............................................. 29

19.

Annexure .: Details of Bidder .................................................................................... 31

20.

ANNEXURE .: PRE-QUALIFICATION................................................................................ 32

20.1 Details of 10 or more successfully executed Computer Based Exams with minimum of 10,000
candidates in 1 day in last 3 Years for academic entrance or recruitment for Government
Agencies/Departments / Exam Conducting Bodies. ........................................................................... 32
20.2 Details of conducting at least One (1) Computer Based Exam having minimum 25,000
candidates appeared in single shift/slot for any department/Exam conducting body of Central or
State Govt........................................................................................................................................... 32
20.3 Details of conducting at least 7.5 Lakh Computer Based Exams in last 3 Years for any
Government Agency/Departments / Exam Conducting Bodies. ........................................................ 32
21.

Annexure CHECK LIST ................................................................................................ 33

1.

General Information

S No.
1
2

Particular

Details

Tender Reference
Number

22/02/2015-G

Availability of RFP

RFP can be downloaded from SSC Website www.ssc.in

Tender Fee

(Non Refundable)Rs. Ten thousand only.

EMD

Earnest Money Deposit of amount Rs Twenty Five Lakhs

in Demand Draft/Bank Guarantee in favour of Staff
Selection Commission and payable at Delhi from any of
the nationalized Scheduled commercial Bank.

Performance Bank
Guarantee (PBG)

An irrevocable, unconditional Performance Bank

Guarantee within 30 days from the Notification of
award, for a value equivalent to 10% of the total cost.

For correspondence
and clarification

Shri Pabitra Sarkar, Director (EDP), Staff Selection

Commission, Room No. 405, 4th Floor, Block No.12, CGO
Complex, Lodi Road, New Delhi. (Ph No. 2436 1408)

Last date for Pre

bid queries

6th July, 2015, 12.00 Noon

Pre bid conference

8th July, 2015, 4.00 PM

Issue of
clarification (if any)

13th July, 2015,

10

Last date of bid

submission

17th July, 2015, 12.00 Noon

Opening of
Technical bid
Opening of
Financial bid

17th July, 2015, 4.00 PM

11
12

Will be intimated later

2.

Request for Proposal

Tenders are invited from eligible, reputed, qualified Firms with sound capabilities
for implementation and maintenance of Computer Based System for Recruitment
Process for Staff Selection Commission, as detailed out in the Scope of Work of this
RFP Document. This invitation to bid is open to all Bidders meeting the prequalification criteria as mentioned in this RFP Document.

3.

Background Information

3.1
a)

Basic Information
Staff Selection Commission (herein after called SSC) invites responses
(Proposals) to this Request for Proposals (RFP) from Companies / Agencies
(Bidders) for selection of Service Provider.

b)

Proposals must be received not later than 17th July, 2015, 12.00 Noon at the office
of Staff Selection Commission, New Delhi. Proposals received after the deadline
WILL NOT be considered in this process.

c)

Interested bidders are advised to study the RFP document carefully. Submission
of response shall be deemed to have been done after careful study and
examination of the RFP document with full understanding of its implications.

3.2

Project Background
SSC intends to implement a system that will manage the recruitment process. The
system shall mainly comprise of the following activities:

Preparation of centres for Computer based exam

Preparation of adequate number of Question paper sets of appropriate standard

as per guidelines and requirement of SSC

Conduct Computer Based Examination

Preparation/compilation of Result

MIS/customized report generation

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3.3

Key Information
About the Department
The Government of India, in the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms
vide its Resolution No. 46/1(S)/74-Estt.(B) dated the 4th November, 1975 constituted
a Commission called the Subordinate Services Commission which has subsequently
been re-designated as Staff Selection Commission effective from the 26th September,
1977 to make recruitment to various Class III (now Group C) (non-technical) posts in
the various Ministries/Departments of the Govt. of India and in Subordinate Offices.
The functions of the Staff Selection Commission have been enlarged from time to time
and now it carries out the recruitment also to non-gazetted Group B posts. The
functions of the Staff Selection Commission were redefined by the Government of
India, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions vide its Resolution
No.39018/1/98-Estt.(B) dated 21st May 1999 (may be seen under the heading
Resolution). The new constitution and functions of the Staff Selection Commission
came into effect from 1st June 1999. The SSC also undertakes certain non-mandated
examinations for certain government bodies/PSUs as per mutual agreement.

4.
4.1

Instructions to the Bidders

General
a) While every effort has been made to provide comprehensive and accurate
background information and requirements and specifications, Bidders must
form their own conclusions about the solution needed to meet the
requirements.
b) All information supplied by Bidders may be treated as contractually binding on
the Bidders, on successful award of the assignment by SSC on the basis of this
RFP.

4.2

Completeness of Response
a) Bidders are advised to study all instructions, forms, terms, requirements and
other information in the RFP documents carefully. Submission of the bid shall be
6|Page

deemed to have been done after careful study and examination of the RFP
document with full understanding of its implications.
b) Failure to comply with the requirements of this paragraph may render the
Proposal non- compliant and the Proposal may be rejected. Bidders must:
o
o
o

4.3

Include all documentation specified in this RFP;

Follow the format of this RFP and respond to each element in the order as
set out in this RFP
Comply with all requirements as set out within this RFP.

Pre-Bid Meeting & Clarifications

Pre-bid Conference
a) SSC will hold a pre-bid meeting with prospective bidders on the date, time &
venue as mentioned in time sheet.
b) The queries should necessarily be submitted in the following format:
S. No.

Page Number

Tender Document
Reference
Number

Content of Tender Doc.

For clarification

Points of
clarification

1.
2.
3.
c) SSC shall not be responsible for ensuring that the bidders queries have been

received by them. Any requests for clarifications post

6th July, 2015, 12.00

Noon, will not be entertained by the SSC.

Responses to Pre-Bid Queries and Issue of Corrigendum

a) The Officer notified by SSC will provide timely response to all queries.
b) At any time prior to the last date for receipt of bids, SSC may, for any reason,
whether at its own initiative or in response to a clarification requested by a
prospective Bidder, modify the RFP Document by a corrigendum/addendum.
c) The Corrigendum/addendum (if any) & clarifications to the queries from all
bidders will be posted on the SSC website.
d) Any such corrigendum shall be deemed to be incorporated into this RFP.
e) In order to provide prospective Bidders reasonable time for taking the
corrigendum into account, SSC may, solely, at its discretion, extend the last date
for the receipt of Proposals.

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4.4

Tenure of the Contract

The initial contract shall be for Two years (unless terminated otherwise). However,
the contract may be extended for further one year with mutual consent on same
terms and conditions.

4.5

Key Requirements of the Bid

Right to Terminate the Process
SSC may terminate the RFP process at any time and without assigning any reason. SSC
makes no commitments, express or implied, that this process will result in a business
transaction with anyone.

RFP Document Fees

RFP can purchased from SSC office on any working day between 19th June, 2015 and
16th July 2015. In case the RFP is downloaded from the website, the bidder can pay
fee by submitting DD of the required tender fee at the time of tender submission.
Without tender fee tender will be summarily rejected

Earnest Money Deposit (EMD)

a) Bidders shall submit the EMD of Rs. Twenty five lakhs in the form of a Demand
Draft /Bank Guarantee issued by any nationalized or scheduled bank in favour of
Staff Selection Commission, payable at New Delhi, and should be valid for a
period of 90 days.
b) The EMD of the unsuccessful bidders would be returned to them after the
finalisation of the tender.
c) The EMD amount is interest free and will be refundable to the unsuccessful
bidders without any accrued interest on it.
d) The bid / proposal submitted without EMD, mentioned above, will be summarily
rejected. e) The EMD may be forfeited:

8|Page

If a bidder withdraws its bid during the period of bid validity.

In case of a successful bidder, if the bidder fails to sign the contract in
accordance with this RFP.

Submission of Proposals
The bidder should submit the bid in two sealed covers as prescribed below addressed
to Shri R.K. Naskar, Under Secretary, Room No.706, 7th Floor, Block No.12, CGO
Complex Lodi Road, New Delhi-110003 on or before 17th July,2015 (12:00 Noon).
1.

The first sealed cover should be super subscribed Technical bid for conduct of
Computer Based Examination and should contain:a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)

Tender Fee
EMD
Technical proposal
All document and information requested in this RFP duly signed and stamped by Authorized
signatory
RFP duly signed
Letter of Authorization in the name of authorized signatory to sign the bid

Note: Each item of the bid should be indexed and page numbered.

2.

The second sealed cover should contain the Financial Bid only The envelope should
be super scribed Financial bid for conduct of Computer Based Examination

3.

Both these sealed covers are to be put in a bigger cover which should also be sealed
and duly super scribed Tender for conduct of Computer Based Examination.

4.6

Preparation of Proposal
Proposal Preparation Costs
The bidder shall be responsible for all costs incurred in connection with participation
in the RFP process, including, but not limited to, costs incurred in conduct of
informative

and

other

diligence

activities,

participation

in

meetings/discussions/presentations, preparation of proposal, in providing any

additional information required by SSC to facilitate the evaluation process, and in
negotiating a definitive contract or all such activities related to the bid process.
SSC will in no case be responsible or liable for those costs, regardless of the conduct
or outcome of the bidding process.

Language
The Proposal should be filled by the Bidder in English language only.

Late Bids
The bids submitted by fax/e-mail etc. shall not be considered. No correspondence
will be entertained on this matter.
9|Page

4.7

Evaluation Process
a) SSC shall constitute a Proposal Evaluation Committee to evaluate the responses
of the bidders.
b) The Proposal Evaluation Committee constituted by SSC shall evaluate the
responses to the RFP and all supporting documents / documentary evidence.
Inability to submit requisite supporting documents / documentary evidence,
may lead to rejection.
c) The decision of the Proposal Evaluation Committee in the evaluation of
responses to the RFP shall be final. No correspondence will be entertained
outside the process of negotiation/ discussion with the Committee.
d) The Proposal Evaluation Committee may recommend for rejection of any or all
proposals on the basis of any deviations.
e) Each of the responses shall be evaluated as per the criteria and requirements
specified in this RFP.
f) In case any bid is rejected by the competent authority, SSC may choose not to
assign any reason at its discretion and that would be binding on the bidder.

Tender Validity
The offer submitted by the Bidders should be valid for minimum period of 90 days
from the date of submission of Tender.

Tender Evaluation
a) Initial Bid scrutiny will be held and incomplete details as given below will be
treated as non- responsive, if Proposals:

Are not submitted in as specified in the RFP document

Received without the Letter of Authorization

With incomplete information, subjective, conditional offers and partial offers

submitted

Submitted without the documents requested in the checklist

Have non-compliance of any of the clauses stipulated in the RFP With lesser
validity period

b) All responsive Bids will be considered for further processing as below.

10 | P a g e

SSC will prepare a list of responsive bidders who comply with all the Terms and
Conditions of the Tender. All eligible bids will be considered for further evaluation
by a Committee according to the Evaluation process defined in this RFP document.
The decision of the Committee will be final in this regard.

5.

Criteria for Evaluation

5.1

Pre-Qualification (PQ) Criteria

S. No.

Qualification

The bidder should be a registered entity in

existence and should be in the field of
computer based examination since last 5
years in India.
The bidder should have average annual
turnover of Rs. 100 Crores or more in last
3 financial years (11-12, 12-13 & 13-14).

The bidder should have positive net worth

and should be a profit making entity in
last financial year (2013-14).
The bidder should have successfully
executed 10 computer based exams with
minimum of 10,000 candidates in one day
in last 3 Years for academic entrance or
recruitment domain for Government
Agencies/
Departments/PSUs/exam
conducting bodies.
The bidder should have successfully
conducted at least One (1) Computer
Based Exams having minimum 25,000
candidates appeared in single shift/slot
for any department/Exam conducting
body of Central or State Govt.
The bidder should have successfully
conducted Computer Based Exams for at
least 7.5 lakh candidates/slots in last 3
years
for
Government
Agencies/
Departments/ PSUs/exam conducting
bodies.

11 | P a g e

Supporting Document to be submitted

Certificate
Registration.

of

Incorporation/

Self attested copy of Audited

Balance Sheet.

Self-attested work Order along with

execution/ completion Certificate for
each of such computer based exams.

Completion
Certificate
showing
successful completion of the Exam
having more than 25000 candidates
in single shift.

Work Orders/Completion Certificates

/Documents showing successful
completion of Exams

5.2

Software for question paper authoring,

computer based examination, biometric
candidate handling, etc. must be owned
by the agency or the Agency should have
licensed copy of the application.
The Bidder should have ISO 27001
(Information
Security
Management
System Standard) certification for past 5
years.
The bidder Should not be Black Listed by
any Government department or Semigovernment organization on the day of
bidding.
The Bidder should provide undertaking of
having capacity of conducting Computer
Based Exam for 100,000 Candidates in
Single Shift.

Declaration on bidder letter head

that the agency will make changes in
software as per SSC requirement.

Self Attested Certificate

Self Declaration
Authorized Signatory.

signed

by

Undertaking signed by Authorized

Signatory.

Financial Bid Evaluation

Financial evaluation and identification of L-1 bidder would be based on rate per candidate per
slot basis only. However, bidder can quote their rates for ranges as specified in Financial Bids.
The "Financial" bid of only those bidders would be opened whose technical bid has been
approved by the Competent Authority of SSC after detailed examination of technical bid
strictly as per the scope of work, technical capability of the bidders and compliance to the
Pre-Qualification Criteria.

6.

Other Terms & Conditions

The bidder should furnish along with his technical bid the following documents:a) Copies of IT returns and balance sheets of last three years (2011-12, 2012-13 &
2013-14).
b) A List of Govt. Departments/PSU / Autonomous Bodies/ PSUs/Public Service
Commissions where the Service Provider has done or is doing the similar work.
Copies of Work orders of such Govt. Departments/PSU/ Autonomous
Bodies/Public Service Commissions shall also be supplied.
c) Details regarding the deliverables as understood by the bidder w.r.t. the scope
of work along with details of infrastructure at each tentative venue as envisaged
by the bidder.
12 | P a g e

d) Certificate by the authorized signatory that all the terms & conditions of the bid
and Scope of Work are acceptable to the bidder.
e) A copy of the PAN Card & Service Tax Registration certificate.
f) Question paper with Bilingual display on screen will be provided by the agency
as per requirement of SSC.
g) Interface software for providing final data in required format will have to be
developed and implemented as per requirement of SSC.
h) The agency will be responsible for arranging the equipment (hardware, software
etc) in perfect working condition and will have to post adequate number of
trained personnel for the day of Examination .
i) Keeping in view that the work involved is confidential and sensitive in nature,
service provider has to enclose the following certificates along with the
technical bids :

It shall not divulge any details, whatsoever, pertaining to the Computer Based
Recruitment Test / Exam to anyone including any other agency(ies) /
authority(ies) without prior written permission of SSC. Service Provider shall
take necessary preventive measures to ensure that nobody comes to know
that the Computer Based Recruitment Test / Exam is being conducted by them
on behalf of SSC.

Service Provider shall not sub-contract the operational aspects and shall be
solely responsible for the safe and smooth conduct of examination. However,
if so required, the bidder may have tie-ups with other agencies for arranging
necessary infrastructure.

7.
7.1

Appointment of Successful Bidder

Award Criteria
SSC will award the Contract to the successful bidder whose proposal has been
determined to be substantially responsive and has been determined as the most
responsive bid as per the process outlined above.

13 | P a g e

7.2

Right to Accept Any Proposal and To Reject Any or All Proposal(s)

SSC reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal, and to annul the tendering
process and reject all proposals at any time prior to award of contract without thereby
incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders or any obligation to inform the
affected bidder.

7.3

Notification of Award
Prior to the expiration of the validity period, SSC will notify the successful bidder in
writing or email, that its proposal has been accepted. In case the tendering process
has not been completed within the stipulated period, SSC may request the bidders to
extend the validity period of the bid.
The notification of award will constitute the formation of the contract. Upon the
successful bidders furnishing of Performance Bank Guarantee, SSC will return EMDs of
unsuccessful bidder. The EMD of successful bidder shall be returned only after
furnishing of Performance Bank Guarantee and signing of Contract.

7.4

Performance Guarantee
SSC will require the selected bidder to provide an irrevocable, unconditional
Performance Bank Guarantee within 30 days from the Notification of award, for a
value equivalent to 10% of the total cost. The Performance Guarantee should be
valid for a period of 30 months. The Performance Guarantee shall be kept valid till
completion of the project period. The Performance Guarantee shall contain a claim
period of three months from the last date of validity. The selected bidder shall be
responsible for extending the validity date and claim period of the Performance
Guarantee as and when it is due on account of non-completion of the project
period. In case the selected bidder fails to submit performance guarantee within the
time stipulated, SSC at its discretion may cancel the order placed on the selected
bidder without giving any notice.

7.5

Signing of Contract
After SSC notifies the successful bidder that its proposal has been accepted, SSC shall
enter into a contract, incorporating all clauses, pre-bid clarifications. However, the
14 | P a g e

issuance of the work order and acceptance thereof by the bidder will constitute a
contract if so desired by the SSC.

7.6

Failure to Agree with the Terms and Conditions of the RFP

Failure of the successful bidder to agree with the Draft Legal Agreement and Terms &
Conditions of the RFP shall constitute sufficient grounds for the annulment of the
award, in which event SSC, at its discretion may award the contract to the next best
value bidder or call for new proposals from the interested bidders.

8.

Scope of Work
SSC intends to select a bidder to implement a computer based examination system for
recruitment at various locations across India.
SSC has an online portal for candidate registration. All candidates are required to
register on online portal. After successful registration, candidate may apply for any
relevant vacancy/post available and pay fees for the particular application.
SSC is planning to conduct recruitment examinations in computer based mode in
suitable batches within the shortest possible schedule. With this RFP, the selected
bidder shall be responsible for:

8.1

Identification and Preparation of test centres across India as per the

requirement.
Preparation of adequate number of Question paper sets of appropriate
standard as per guidelines and requirement of SSC,
Capturing biometric and photograph of candidates registration.
Recording of each exam lab.
Conduct the computer based examinations
Setting up of Help Desk
Post Exam Services

Identification and Preparation of test centres across India as per the

requirement:

The selected bidder shall be responsible for identification, preparation and manage
the test centres as per the guidelines of SSC. Some key responsibilities of selected
bidder are as under:o

The examination shall be conducted nationwide in single/double shifts per day,

depending on the number of application and at the discretion of the SSC.

15 | P a g e

It may also be required to schedule exams for multiple posts on same day with
in the common/ shared examination facilities/test centres, when expected
number of applications for these posts is not very large.

The time schedule for conducting the examinations shall be finalized by the
SSC based on the number of applications received.

Bidder shall be required to inform candidates about the exam through auto
generated e-mail and SMS.

The agency will provide demo question paper for Mock test for relevant Exam
in bi- lingual mode or English, as the case may be, within 20 days before
conducting each exam for uploading on web-site. The mock test should be on
the template of main exam to be conducted and in line with the requirement
of SSC.

8.2

Infrastructure & facilities at test centres:

Bidder shall be responsible to provide complete Infrastructure including hardware,
software & networking etc., including:

Preparation of examination centre with hardware, software, server, internet and

LAN connectivity etc.

The bidder will have to keep at least one buffer center of around 250 terminals, in
each city where the exam is held, which could be used in case of any eventuality.

Each center should have at least 10% buffer terminals.

The hardware, software provided should match with the test application
requirements.

Fool proof data security and data transfer, right to access to data base server
should not be with anyone locally at exam centre.

Bidder shall provide manuals for secure conduct of examination and exception
handling/ emergency procedures.

Detailed Audit of infrastructure such as Desktop/LAN/Basic Amenities etc.

Providing Backup Server along with each primary server with RAID technology at
each location with all software loaded and kept ready for use in case such
requirement arises.

Backup server should be mirrored with Primary server. In case, the primary server
16 | P a g e

crashes/fails exam can be continued with backup server without disrupting the
exam.

The Primary and the Back up server used during examination is to be owned by the
Service Provider, updated with latest security software & features.

Adequate power back up at each centre including buffer/mobile DG sets in each

city of exam, details of which to be shared with the SSC before each exam.

Provisions for data backup and disaster recovery.

Ensuring that all the terminals and the Servers including backups would be Virus
free.

The bidder would ensure proper gate manangement.

The bidder would ensure that each candidate is frisked before entry to the
examination hall and no electronic device or gadget is taken inside the hall. The
bidder would be fully responsible for any consequences including costs if any, arising
out of the same.

Exam Desk should be partitioned such a way that the computer screen of one
candidate is not visible to others.

The terminal No. at which the candidate is to take the Test/test would be allotted at
random at the time of Registration. The SSC, at its discretion may, however require
the same to be fixed in advance.

For checking impersonation the agency will have to display candidates personal
details such as Roll No. & Name including photo on the screen of the terminal during
the exam period.

Provide staff as per the requirement of SSC. Each examination centre shall have a
minimum staff as stated below.
o

Test Centre Administrator/Supervisor: 1 per centre.

IT Manager/assistant Supervisor : 2 per centre

Invigilators : 2 per 24 candidates with a minimum of 2 in each lab.

Technical Support Staff : 1 per 50 candidates

SSC may also appoint its invigilators/observers to test centres along with the bidders
supervisors/staff.

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Filling up of forms such as attendance sheet with the LTI and the signature of the
candidate, sitting plan etc as per requirement of the SSC would be the
responsibility of the bidder.

All personnel associated with the exam will have to certify that none of their near
relation is appearing in the said examination at the appropriate time in the format
prescribed by the commission.

Computer (terminal) with adequate and appropriate configuration.

The Test centres should have basic facilities e.g. tables, chairs, adequate supply of
drinking water, toilets etc.

During the test, access to all possible web resources for browsing, chatting etc.
should be blocked from the computers of the candidate as well as any other
computer peripherals such as printers. Functions like CopyPaste should also be
disabled.

Proper security at the examination centres.

At least one day before the date of online examination, the bidder should test and
certify that the application is functioning at each centre on each node with full
load. It should also certify that adequate arrangements have been made to meet
exigencies like power failure, electrical system break downs, LAN or switch failing,
nodes failing, test-server failing, mob, physical security challenged. Bidder shall
also submit the Emergency Management plan prior to deployment of application
or kick off the online examination process.

In addition to above, the bidder will also be responsible for collection of

Commissions copy of the Admit card which are required to be sent to different
centre. The bidder will collect the same from the respective Regional Directors
office. These copies are required by the invigilators to obtain the signature of the
candidates during the examination.

8.3

Question bank and dispatch of question paper s:

All activities relating to Question Bank and dispatch of Question Papers would be primarily
carried out by the SSC. The Agency would be involved only at the appropriate time as
detailed below:
a) The agency will have to adhere to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) laid
18 | P a g e

down by the SSC for all Pre and Post exam activities.
b) The Agency/bidder will have to provide the question sets of appropriate
standard and composition as advised by SSC, in adequate numbers. Such sets
are required to be scientific and should be properly validated and moderated as
per requirement of the SSC. The question sets should pass the reliability test. It
has to be ensured that the questions have not been directly picked up from any
ready sources and generally should not have been asked in the comparative
competitive examinations in the last 3-4 years. In case of multiple shifts of the
same examination, the bidder has to ensure that the experts certify each set to
be of similar difficultly level and composition. The SSC keeps the liberty to cross
certify the same with its own set of independent experts. The bidder would be
responsible for any consequences arising as a result of any variation.
c) The SSC would be at liberty to use such question sets or any other sets. In cases
of such question sets being used, the bidder will also be responsible for making
the services of the experts/moderators available in case any of the answers are
challenged by the candidates. Decision on assignment of a particular set to a
particular shift would be of the SSC.
d) In case, the question sets or any part thereof, are being provided by the SSC, the
Agency would be responsible for providing requisite user friendly software and
methodology along with the format of Question Paper. This software will have
to be installed by the Agency in the secured computer system/Server which will
be kept secured in the SSC office. Due training, if required will also be provided
by the Agency along with dummy drill for handling question paper. This would
be completed well before setting up the question paper by the SSC.
e) The software should have facility to shuffle the Questions as well as Answer
options in the Question Paper presented to the candidate as per requirements
of the SSC.
f) The modalities of transferring the Question Pack and dissemination to the
candidates will be done by the selected agency as per the procedures specified
by the SSC.
g) Question Paper, to be deployed at exam centres, will be shared by SSC with
Service Provider only 2 3 hours before commencement of examination.
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8.4

Capturing biometric and photograph candidates registration

Ensure accurate Registration of each candidate reporting for the test well before start
of the Test/Exam as decided by the SSC. At the time of Registration, candidates
photograph taken on the web-cam to be checked with the photograph brought by the
candidate and his Biometric information is to be captured and stored for future use by
the SSC. A maximum ratio of 1:40 for the biometric machines is to be maintained for
the candidate registration.

8.5

Recording of each exam lab

The bidder will have to make arrangement for continuous monitoring and recording of
candidates activities at each venue by installing adequate number of Web-cams so as
to cover all the candidates in the lab for recording during full duration of the exam.
The web cameras should be accessible to the SSC even during the exam to monitor
and check. Adequate and appropriate facility for the same should be provided in the
control room of SSC.

8.6

Conduct the computer based exam:

In examinations involving more than a lakh candidate, the SSC at its discretion may
decide to hold two shifts on each day.

Each exam shift shall be conducted on different question paper set. Regarding
question paper/set, para 8.3 may be referred.

Bidder shall provide the interface to upload test papers at central server and secure
link to download the test paper at test centres.

Bidder shall provide training for generation and uploading of encrypted confidential
data such as question paper, answer key etc. to SSC officials.

Minimum 128 bit encryption should be applied to the data that is transmitted over
the internet.

As various tests (for various posts) may be taken up for computer based
examination on the same day, bidder shall ensure the proper allocation of question
paper to the candidates at designated time. Software should automatically display
question paper based on candidate id.

The application should auto save the responses of the candidate once responded
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(candidate should not have to click or perform any action during the course of the
examination to save his/her responses)

There should be no human intervention for allocation of test paper.

Identification of candidates appearing for the exam shall be made through Hall
ticket, photo ID and biometric capture in accordance with the procedure detailed
by the SSC at the appropriate time.

The Examination shall be computer based with the questions being provided
onscreen with multiple choice answers.

The Service Provider shall provide facility for prior multiple mock tests on the
website for registered candidates to acquaint themselves with the interface and
pattern before the examination date.

Computer based exam software should support standard features such as

automatic calculation of test score, negative marking, time left, flag questions for
review, navigation to unanswered questions and prompt for submission.

Audit trail of exam activity should be recorded and should be available to the SSC
on demand

While exam may be conducted on local LAN, data of test progress should be
accessible to SSC for monitoring purposes. Bidder should provide reports to SSC to
view the test progress. SSC may also view the camera of any or all centre. Hence
bidder should have a utility to show the live recording at SSC control centre.

Bidder shall transfer the entire data of exam immediately after completion of exam
to central server.

Bidder shall provide facility to view the question wise test details such as the
question, answer marked by candidate, correct answer of the question etc. in case
required by SSC.

The bidder shall be responsible for designing and for developing various modules
required and for providing requisite user friendly software/application and
methodology. The bidder shall provide proper facility to the physically
challenged/handicapped candidates.

The bidder will make arrangement at the Control room of the SSC for monitoring
and supervising Exam activities of all the venue on monitoring console.
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The bidder shall take all steps to prevent leakage of question papers.

Bidder shall adhere to all necessary security compliances like encryption of

question papers, encrypted communication/data transfer, password protection and
accessibility by authorized officers etc.

8.7

Post Exam Services

The Bidder would then prepare Reports as desired and mutually decided by the
SSC.

Answer Keys will be provided by the SSC post examination.

The bidder should have the capability to transmit the response sheet of the
candidates to them within a period of less than 6 hours of examination or as
decided by the SSC.

The Bidder will arrange to transmit the attendance details of each shift of
examination with in the first hour of the examination.

Report generating the sitting plan of candidate.

Regeneration of questions and answers of candidates as required in RTI or for any

other purposes of the SSC.

The Bidder will also transfer the Registration details including List of Present/
appeared candidates to the SSC within 2 days after conclusion of Test/session.

SSC would be responsible for declaration of the result

Bidder will also provide log reports if required by SSC

Bidder will be also help SSC in responding to RTI and queries related to exam.

The Agency will have to resolve any discrepancy noticed by the SSC while
processing of the result.

8.8

Time Frame
The successful bidder would be required to make the system up and operational in
mutual consultation with SSC in the shortest possible time.

8.9

Information security and data privacy

The successful bidder will be responsible for providing secure systems. The successful
bidder is expected to adhere to Information Security Management procedures as per
acceptable standards with best practices.
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The bidder shall be responsible for guarding the Systems against virus, malware,
spyware and spam infections using the latest Antivirus which include anti-malware,
anti-spyware and anti-spam solution for the entire system.
The bidder shall have to maintain strict privacy and confidentiality of all the data it
gets access to.

9.

Infrastructure Compliance Review

SSC may perform the Infrastructure Compliance Review to verify the conformity of
the Infrastructure (both IT, non IT & Network infrastructure) provided by the bidder
against the requirements provided in the RFP and/or as proposed in the proposal
submitted by the bidder. However, the bidder would be responsible for continuous
compliance of the norms.

10.

Payment Schedule:
a) The payment shall be made after the successful completion of each exam as per
the amount quoted by bidder in financial bid.
b) Bidder shall raise the invoice after successful completion of exam on the basis of
number of exam sessions/slot scheduled for each candidate who were issued
admit cards.
c) SSC would endeavour to release 75% payment within 30 days of receipt of
invoice on successful conduct of Examination by the firm and handing over of the
complete data to the satisfaction of the SSC.
d) 25% payment would be released after analysis of data, rectification of
discrepancies, if any, by the bidder and release of result by SSC.

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11.

Sr. No

Financial Bid

Number of Candidates i n
the examination
A

1.

Up to 50000 candidates

2.

50001-500000 candidates

3.

500001-1500000 candidates

4.

More than 1500000

Rates Per
Taxes per
Candidate per
Candidate
slot/session (Max.
per
of 2Hrs. Duration) slot/session
(Rs.)
C
B

Total Amount per

Candidate (Rs.)
D=(B+C)

Rates shall be quoted on per candidate per slot/session basis and shall include all
charges in respect of things mentioned in the para related to the scope of work
including any incidentals thereof.

Taxes, if any, shall be quoted separately failing which the quoted rates would be
taken as inclusive of taxes and no subsequent request for addition of taxes would
be entertained by this office.

L1 will be determined on the basis of total amount quoted in the column D of

financial bid for each slab.

Dated:
Signature:
Name of Firm:
Company Seal:

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12.

Fraud and Corrupt Practices

The Bidders and their respective officers, employees, agents and advisers shall observe
the highest standard of ethics during the Examination Process. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in this RFP, SSC shall be at liberty to reject a
Proposal without being liable in any manner whatsoever to the Bidder, if it
determines that the Bidder has, directly or indirectly or through an agent, engaged in
corrupt practice, fraudulent practice, coercive practice, undesirable practice or
restrictive practice (collectively the Prohibited Practices) in the Selection Process. In
such an event, SSC shall, without prejudice to its any other rights or remedies,
forfeit and appropriate the Bid Security or Performance Security, as the case may
be, as mutually agreed genuine pre-estimated compensation and damages payable to
the Authority for, inter alia, time, cost and effort of the Authority, in regard to the RFP,
including consideration and evaluation of such Bidders Proposal.
For the purposes of this Section, the following terms shall have the meaning
hereinafter respectively assigned to them:
corrupt practice means (i) the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting, directly or
indirectly, of anything of value to influence the action of any person connected with
the Selection Process (for avoidance of doubt, offering of employment to or
employing or engaging in any manner whatsoever, directly or indirectly, any official
of SSC who is or has been associated in any manner, directly or indirectly with the
Selection Process or the LOI or has dealt with matters concerning the Agreement or
arising there from, before or after the execution thereof.

13.

Force Majeure
If at any time during the continuance of this Contract, the performance in whole or in
part by either party of any obligation under this contract shall be prevented or
delayed by the reasons of any war, hostility, acts of the public enemy, epidemics, civil
commotion, sabotage, fires, floods, explosion, quarantine restrictions, strikes, lockouts
or act of God (hereinafter referred to as such acts) provided notice of happening of
such event is given by one party to the other within 21 days from the date of
25 | P a g e

occurrence thereof, neither party shall be by reasons of such event, be entitled to

terminate this contract nor shall either party have any claim for damages against the
other in respect of such non- performance or the delay in performance, and deliveries
under the contract shall be resumed as soon as practicable after such event has come
to an end or ceased to exist, and the decision of the Commission as to whether the
deliveries have been so resumed or not, shall be final and conclusive.

14.

Arbitration
In case any dispute between the Parties, both the parties will try to resolve the issue
mutually within 20 days of dispute raised. Affected party will give notice in writing to
other party indicating concern, proposed remedy to settle the issue. If the issue does
not settle by negotiation in the manner as prescribed, the same may be resolved
exclusively by arbitration and such dispute may be submitted by either party for
arbitration within 20 days of the failure of negotiations. Arbitration shall be held in
Delhi and conducted in accordance with the provisions of Arbitration and
Conciliation Act.

15.

Jurisdiction
Subject to the arbitration herein above provided, any suit or proceedings to enforce
the right of either of the parties hereto this agreement shall be instituted in and tried
only by the Courts in Delhi and by no other Court, and both the parties hereto hereby
expressly agree to submit to the jurisdiction of such court.

16.

Liquidated Damage
a) In case the Bidder fails to fulfil the obligations as per the terms and conditions of
the contract, the SSC may impose penalty to the extent of 100% of the total
payment due for that RT/Exam. In addition, the Performance Security may also
be forfeited.
b) If the Bidder fails to deliver any or all of the Service(s)/Systems or perform the
Services within the time period(s) and in the manner specified in the
Contract/Agreement, SSC shall, without prejudice to its other rights and
26 | P a g e

remedies under and in accordance with the Contract/Agreement, deduct from

the Contract price, as liquidated damages, a sum equivalent to 1% per week or
part thereof of Contract Price subject to maximum deduction of 10% of the
order value of the delayed Service(s) or unperformed Service(s).
c) If the Bidder fails to complete the entire works/Service(s) before the completion
date or the extended date or if the Bidder repudiates the Contract before
completion of the Services, SSC may without prejudice to any other right or
remedy available to SSC as under the Contract recover from the Bidder, as
ascertained and agreed liquidated damages and not by way of penalty:
d) SSC may recover from the Bidder, a sum equivalent to 1.0 % of the total
Contract price for delay in completion of implementation the Service(s) for
each week of delay beyond the scheduled completion date or part thereof,
subject to a maximum of 20%.
e) SSC may without prejudice to its right to affect recovery by any other method,
deduct the amount of liquidated damages from any money belonging to the
Bidder in its hands (which includes SSC right to claim such amount against
Bidder's Bank Guarantee) or which may become due to the Bidder. Any such
recovery or liquidated damages shall not in any way relieve the Bidder from any
of its obligations to complete the works / service(s) or from any other
obligations and liabilities under the Contract/Agreement.
f) The SSC reserves the right to terminate the contract at any time, if it is satisfied
that the bidder has failed to fulfil its obligations as per the terms and conditions
of the contract. The decision of the SSC in that regard would be final and
binding.

17.

Conflict of Interest
A bidder shall not have a conflict of interest that may affect the Selection
Process or the Solution delivery (the Conflict of Interest). Any Bidder found to
have a Conflict of Interest shall be disqualified. In the event of disqualification, SSC
shall forfeit and appropriate the EMD, if available, as mutually agreed genuine preestimated compensation and damages payable to SSC for, inter alia, the time, cost
27 | P a g e

and effort of SSC including consideration of such Bidders Proposal, without

prejudice to any other right or remedy that may be available to SSC hereunder or
otherwise.

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18.

Annexure I

Compliance Report w.r.t. Scope of Work

We (Name of Firm) ________________________________ hereby furnish the

technical compliance report as per RFP as under.
a) We confirm the acceptance & understanding of deliverables by the bidder with
respect to Scope of Work and other terms and conditions of RFP.
b) Undertaking of providing seating capacity for 1,00,000 candidates in single shift.
c) We confirm that the service provider can conduct Computer Based Test/Exam as
per Scope of Work in RFP.
d) The agency undertakes to be responsible for complete security of processes,
infrastructure, VPN connections, etc. as per the plan drawn in consultation with
the Commission.
e) Details of secured LAN system with LAN back-up equipment & VPN connection
to be provided at all venues, are furnished.
f) Details of Back-up Server & its connectivity with main Server along with the
details of software to be provided at each venue, are furnished.
g) Details of web-cams to be installed at each lab for continuous recording of
candidate activities, are furnished.
h) Details of Registration counters including facilities for photo capture and BioMetric information to be captured for each candidate. Also indicate number of
candidates per counter.
i) Detailed methodology for Data storage and transfer of data through VPN under
secured environment are indicated.
j) Details of Anti-virus software to be provided at Server level as well as at
Terminal level, are furnished.
k) Detailed methodology for creating Question paper under secured environment
within SSC premises and the type of software training to be provided at SSC, are
indicated.
l) Detailed activities to be provided w.r.t. Pre-Test activities as defined in Scope of
Work, are indicated.
m) Detailed methodology for preparation and dispatch of question papers through
29 | P a g e

VPN connectivity w.r.t., Scope of Work, are indicated.

n) Detailed methodology to be adopted for carrying out Post-Test processing w.r.t.
Scope of Work, are indicated.
o) The Service provider will provide all the facilities as per guidelines laid down by
the Commission for PH candidates.
p) The Agency will provide all data of the candidates including audit trail of all
activities of candidates to the Commission after conclusion of exam.
q) The Agency will make arrangement at SSC control room for monitoring &
supervising exam activities of all the venues.
r) We confirm that the software is capable for generating bilingual question packs.
s) We confirm that the firm is ISO 27001 certified for conducting Computer Based
Recruitment Test/Exam.
Dated:
Name of Firm:
Company Seal:

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Signature:

19.

Annexure-II :

Details of Bidder

1.

Name of the Agency

2.

Registered Address

3.

Registration Date.

4.

Type of Firm

5.

Name of Authorized person of the

agency

6.

Telephone Number(s)

7.

Email Address/ Website

8.

Fax No.

9.

Mobile no.

11.

Year-wise financial turnover

Public Limited/Private Limited/

Proprietary/Partnership/Society/ Other

2011-12
2012-13
2013-14

Date:
Place:

31 | P a g e

Name and Designation with Seal

20.
20.1

ANNEXURE -III:

PRE-QUALIFICATION

Details of 10 or more successfully executed Computer Based Exams with

minimum of 10,000 candidates in 1 day in last 3 Years for academic entrance
or recruitment for Government Agencies/Departments /PSUs/ Exam
Conducting Bodies.

S. No. Name of concerned Govt. Agency/

Department/ Exam Conducting Body

Name of Exam

Relevant Certificates enclosed

1
2
3

20.2

Details of conducting at least One (1) Computer Based Exam having minimum
25,000 candidates appeared in single shift/slot for any department/Exam
conducting body of Central or State Govt.

No.

Name of Client
Govt. Agency/
Department/
Exam Conducting
Body

Name of Exam

Date of Exam

Number
Candidates
Single Shift

of
in

Relevant Certificates
enclosed

1
2
3

20.3

Details of conducting computer bases exams for at least 7.5 lakh

candidates/slots last 3 Years for any Government Agency/Departments /PSUs
Exam Conducting Bodies.

Sr.
No.

Name of Client Govt.

Agency/ Department/
Exam Conducting Body

Name of Exam

Number of Exams

Relevant Certificates
enclosed

1
2
3
Date:

Place:

32 | P a g e

Name and Designation with Seal

21.

Annexure IV :
1.
2.

CHECK LIST

Whether EMD Enclosed

Yes/No
Whether the Balance Sheets of last three financial years (2011-12, Yes/No
2012- 13 and 2013-14) is enclosed.

3.

Whether copies of the I.T. returns for 2011-12, 2012- 13 and

2013-14 enclosed.

4.

Whether a copy of PAN Card/Service Tax Registration certificate Yes/No

enclosed.

6.

Yes/No

8.

List of Govt./Departments orders, if any.

Whether copies of ISO-270001 certificate

9.

Signed copy of tender document

Yes/No

10.

Whether price schedule as per format in a separate sealed Yes/No

envelope enclosed.

11.

Whether Annexure . (Details of Bidder) is enclosed

Yes/No

12.

Whether Annexure (Pre-Qualification Form) is enclosed

Yes/No

13.

Whether Annexure (Compliance Report) is enclosed

Yes/No

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Yes/No

Yes/No

End of Document

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