Procurement of consultancy services – Advisory regarding prescription of qualification and evaluation criteria: DoE O.M. dated 22.07.2026
F.No.1/3/2026-PPD
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
Procurement Policy Division
709, Chanderlok Building,
Janpath, New Delhi
22.07.2026
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Advisory regarding prescription of qualification and evaluation criteria in procurement of consultancy services.
A sample study of consultancy procurement tenders floated by Central Government procuring entities on GeM during the last three financial years revealed the following issues with respect to the eligibility and qualification criteria:
(i) Comparatively high turnover requirements were prescribed.
(ii) Higher weightage was assigned to the consulting firm’s experience than to the qualifications and experience of the proposed key personnel.
(iii) Minimum staff strength on the payroll of the bidder was prescribed as an eligibility criterion, far exceeding the actual manpower required for execution of the project.
2. The above findings indicate that such eligibility and qualification criteria may unduly restrict competition in the procurement of consultancy services. Accordingly, the following provisions of the Manual for Procurement of Consultancy Services, second Edition, 2025, are reiterated and may be adhered to while formulating eligibility and qualification criteria for consultancy procurements.
(i) Para 7.3.3 on Evaluation of Qualification (Annexure-I).
(ii) Para 8.4.2 on Criteria and Sub-criteria (Annexure-Il).
3. In addition, if minimum staff strength on the payroll of the firm is prescribed as an eligibility and qualification criterion, it may be ensured that the prescribed minimum staff strength is commensurate with the manpower requirement necessary for satisfactory execution of the consultancy assignment, as disproportionately high staff strength requirements, without adequate justification, may unnecessarily restrict competition.
Encl.: As above.
(Praveen Kujur)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
Tel: 011- 23733771
Email: praveen.kujur[at]nic.in
T0
Secretaries of all Central Government Ministries/ Departments.
COMMENTS