Key Information at a Glance
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| 1. State | India (National Level) |
| 2. Issuing Authority | Quality Council of India (QCI) |
| 3. Title of Tender/RFP | Expression of Interest (EOI) for Empanelment of Consultant Organisation under MSME Sustainable (ZED) Certification Scheme |
| 4. Value of the Tender | Not specified (Payments are milestone-based per project) |
| 5. Tender Fee | N/A (Not applicable) |
| 6. EMD (Earnest Money Deposit) | Not mentioned (Not applicable) |
| 7. Last Date | April 30, 2026 |
| 8. Time of Submission | Not explicitly mentioned (presumably end of day- 11.59 PM) |
| 9. Mode of Submission | Email (PDF format to procurement.zed@qcin.org) |
| 10. Download Tender/EOI | DOWNLOAD EOI |
Detailed Summary of the EOI
1. Purpose & Background
The Quality Council of India (QCI) invites applications from eligible organizations for empanelment as Consultant Organisations (COs) under the MSME Sustainable (ZED) Certification Scheme. The ZED (Zero Defect Zero Effect) initiative, launched by the Government of India, aims to enhance the competitiveness, sustainability, and global standing of MSMEs by reducing waste, increasing productivity, and promoting environmental consciousness.
The empanelled Consultant Organisations will provide handholding support to MSMEs to help them achieve higher certification levels (Silver & Gold).
2. Scope of Work (Handholding Services)
Selected Consultant Organisations will assist MSMEs in the following activities (to be completed within 4 months from allocation):
- Baseline Diagnostic Study: Assess the MSME’s current status against ZED parameters (14 for Silver, 20 for Gold) and document gaps with verifiable evidence.
- Handholding Action Plan: Develop a time-bound improvement plan (minimum 14 man-days on-site) including training, best practices, and technological interventions for pollution control/cleaner technology.
- Training: Conduct training on the ZED model, gap analysis results, and implementation methods.
- Progress Reviews: Regular monitoring and monthly progress reports (MPR) signed by the MSME.
- Completion: Handholding is complete when all identified activities are implemented and signed off by the MSME.
Payment Schedule (Milestone-based):
- 40% after submission of Baseline Diagnostic Report & Action Plan
- 30% after Progress Review 2
- 30% after successful completion of Handholding
3. Pre-Qualification Criteria (Eligibility)
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Legal Entity | LLP, Company, Partnership Firm, Society/NGO, or Sole Proprietorship registered in India with minimum 1 year of existence. |
| Annual Turnover | Average of at least Rs. 10 Lakhs over last 3 financial years (2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24). |
| Technical Experience | Experience working on similar projects (proof required: completion certificates, work orders, contracts, or self-certification). |
| Consultant Requirement | Minimum two ZED qualified consultants, of which at least one must be in-house before allocation of any consultancy. |
| Blacklisting | Firm must not be blacklisted by any Central/State Government Agency, PSU, etc. (Undertaking required – Form-B). |
4. Empanelment Requirements
- Sectors (NIC Divisions): Consultant Organisations can apply for multiple scopes based on availability of qualified consultants. Sectors include: Food Products, Textiles, Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Machinery, Electrical Equipment, Motor Vehicles, Furniture, and more (NIC Divisions 10–33).
- Human Resources:
- Minimum 2 ZED qualified consultants (1 in-house).
- Written agreement between CO and consultant(s).
- ZED consultants cannot work as ZED assessors simultaneously.
- Infrastructure: Working office, training aids (offline/online), IT support.
- Consultancy Quality Assurance System (CQAS): Must have documented procedures for consultant monitoring, planning consultancy, feedback analysis, complaint handling, internal reviews, and record maintenance.
5. Empanelment Process
- Application: Submit Form-A with supporting documents via email.
- Desktop Assessment: QCI reviews completeness; observations communicated. Applicant must respond within 15 working days. One additional 15-day window allowed if needed; otherwise application closed.
- Approval: On fulfilling requirements, applicant is recommended for empanelment.
- Validity: Until March 31, 2026 (or as decided by QCI).
- Scope Enhancement: Allowed on fulfilling prescribed requirements.
- Re-empanelment: Subject to scheme extension.
- Additional Assessment: QCI can conduct remote/on-site assessments (announced or unannounced) based on risk or complaints.
6. Terms for Maintaining Empanelment
- Submit six-monthly reports on ZED projects and consultants involved.
- Maintain project records.
- No franchising, licensing, or subcontracting of ZED consultancy.
7. Suspension / Withdrawal of Empanelment
May occur due to non-compliance, false information, fraudulent practices, unethical conduct, breach of Code of Conduct, subcontracting, or any other reason deemed appropriate by QCI.
8. Code of Conduct
Consultants must act professionally, accurately, unbiasedly, truthfully, and without fear or favor.
9. General Terms & Conditions
- Conflict of Interest: Avoid conflicts with other assignments.
- Ethics: Highest ethical standards required.
- Language: All documents in English (translations required for non-English documents).
- Rejection Grounds: Incomplete forms, late submission, missing documents.
- Force Majeure: Applicable for events like acts of God, war, floods, pandemics, etc.
- Indemnity: Organisation indemnifies QCI against losses due to deficient services or corruption.
- Confidentiality: No disclosure of confidential information without QCI’s written consent.
- Data Security: No removal of data from India without QCI’s consent.
- Validity of Proposal: 90 days from last submission date.
- Allotment of Work: Based on geographical presence, sector competence, and acceptance of terms & rates.
- QCI Rights: QCI reserves the right to reject any/all applications without reason, relax/waive conditions, or modify scope.
10. Submission Guidelines
- Format: PDF via email.
- Email ID: procurement.zed@qcin.org
- Subject Line: “Expression of Interest (EOI) for Empanelment of Organising Partners under MSME Sustainable (ZED) Certification Scheme_DD/MM/YYYY”
- Documents Required:
- Form-A (Application Form)
- Registration Certificate, PAN, GST
- Audited financial statements / Turnover Certificate for FY 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24
- Profile of consultants & Form-C (Undertaking for ZED qualified consultants)
- Proof of similar project experience
- Form-B (Non-Blacklisting Undertaking)
- Preferred scope (NIC sectors) and applicable states
- Page Numbering: All pages must be sequentially numbered with a table of contents.
- Signing: Every page must be signed & stamped by authorized signatory.
11. Important Dates & Contact
- Last Date: April 30, 2026
- Technical Discussion Round: To be notified via email (if needed)
- Contact for Clarifications: Procurement Team – procurement.zed@qcin.org
12. Annexures (Templates Provided in EOI)
- Annexure 1: Baseline Diagnostic Study Report Format
- Annexure 2: Handholding Action Plan Format
- Annexure 3: Technology Intervention Format
- Annexure 4: Monthly Progress Review Report Format
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