Accordingly, 17 firms having 22 teams are considered for empanelment as safety consultants (The first interim list of firms and their team members is enclosed as Annexure A).

However, Keeping in view the limited number of banks currently issuing e-BG, it has been decided to accept 'Bid Security and Performance Security' as a physical Bank Guarantee also till 31.03.2023 for all the modes of Projects viz. EPC. HAM and BOT (TOll)

In the said Policy Circular, the words 'Bid Security and Performance Security' are mentioned at S. No. 4 of Annexure - II (A), S. No. 6 of Annexure III (A), and at S. No. 6 of Annexure IV (A) may be read as 'Bid Security'.

The Ministry has already decided to reduce performance security from the existing 10 % to 3 % of the value of the Contracts under dispute wherein arbitration/Court Proceedings have already been started or are Completed.

In case any bidder/firm is debarred till the agreement is signed, provisions mentioned in Ministry of Finance Department of Expenditure, vide Om No. F-1/20/2018-PPD dated 02.11.2021 shall be followed.