What Is a Government Tender?

A government tender is a formal, structured invitation issued by a government department to suppliers, contractors, or service providers to submit bids or proposals for the supply of goods, services, or infrastructure development. The goal is to ensure transparency, fairness, and cost-effectiveness in public spending.

A tender is an official request issued by:

Central government ministries (e.g., Ministry of Railways, Defence, etc.)
State governments and departments (e.g., PWD, Education)
Public Sector Undertakings (e.g., ONGC, BHEL)
Municipal bodies (e.g., Nagar Nigams)

Tenders can be for:

Construction projects
IT services
Supplies of materials or machinery
Security, manpower, logistics
Consulting, training, legal services, etc.

How Does It Work? (Step-by-Step Process)

1. Tender Notice Published

Tenders are published on government portals like:
- https://etenders.gov.in (Central Public Procurement Portal - CPPP)
- https://gem.gov.in (Government e-Marketplace)
- State portals (e.g., https://mptenders.gov.in for Madhya Pradesh)

2. Download Tender Documents

Includes eligibility criteria, scope of work, deadline, estimated value, bid format, etc.

3. Prepare the Bid

Two types:

Technical bid – qualifications, experience, documents (required for assessment of tenderer)
Financial bid – pricing and costing details (Financial capacity of tenderer to manage the project)

4. Submit the Bid Online

Upload signed documents
Pay EMD (Earnest Money Deposit) online (if applicable)
Ensure submission before the deadline

5. Evaluation

Technical bids are evaluated first
If qualified, financial bids are opened
Lowest bidder (L1) usually gets the contract, if technically fit

6. Award of Contract

Work order/letter of award issued
Contractor begins work as per contract terms

How Can an Individual Apply for Government Tender?

Even individuals or small businesses can participate in government tenders, especially for:

Freelance services (graphic design, IT, training, writing)
Local supply contracts
Event management, catering, cleaning, etc.

Steps for Individuals:

Register Your Business
- Even if you're an individual, register as a sole proprietorship, freelancer with GST, or MSME unit.
- Register on GeM and eProcurement portals.
Get a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)
- Mandatory for bidding on most government portals.
Register on e-Tendering Portals
- Central: https://etenders.gov.in
- State: e.g., https://mptenders.gov.in for Madhya Pradesh
- GeM: https://gem.gov.in
Search for Suitable Tenders
- Filter by category (e.g., “Event Management” or “Consulting”)
Download & Prepare Bids
- Read the scope, terms, and eligibility carefully.
- Prepare your documents (PAN, Aadhaar, MSME cert, GST, portfolio/work experience, etc.)
Pay EMD(Earnest Money Deposit if required) and Submit
- Some tenders waive EMD for MSMEs.

Tips for availing successful Government Tender

Start with small/local tenders
Keep all documents updated
Use the MSME certificate for exemptions
Track tenders using alert services or third-party tools like TenderTiger, BidAssist

Example: How to apply for construction of mobile tower tender ? Step by Step Process

Applying for a mobile tower construction tender involves a detailed process that includes technical qualifications, documentation, registration on tender portals, and close compliance with bidding procedures. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step-by-Step Process to Apply for Mobile Tower Construction Tender

Step 1: Identify Opportunities

You need to search for active tenders for mobile tower construction issued by:

Telecom companies (e.g., BSNL, MTNL, Reliance Jio, Airtel via third-party contractors)
Government departments (e.g., BSNL infrastructure tenders)
Public Sector Units (PSUs) or Smart City Projects
Defense/Police Communication Projects

Where to search:

https://etenders.gov.in – Central Govt. tenders
https://bsnltenders.co.in – BSNL-specific tenders
https://gem.gov.in – Government e-Marketplace
https://mptenders.gov.in – For Madhya Pradesh

Step 2: Register on the Tender Portal

To apply, you need:

Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) – Class III (mandatory for most e-tender portals)
Registration on relevant portals (e.g., CPPP Central Public Procurement Portal, GeM (Government e-Marketplace, BSNL portal, or State e-procurement site)
Vendor Registration – Some departments may require separate empanelment as a telecom or civil contractor.

Step 3: Download Tender Document

After locating the tender:

Download the tender notice and Bid Document (NIT, BOQ (Bill of Quantities), etc.)
Read it carefully for:
- Scope of Work (tower height, civil + electrical)
- Eligibility Criteria
- Technical Specs
- Estimated Cost
- EMD (Earnest Money Deposit)
- Submission Deadline
- Bid Validity Period

Step 4: Prepare the Bid Documents

You will usually need to prepare two bids:

1. Technical Bid (includes):

Contractor License (Civil/Electrical)
Past project experience (telecom/civil works)
Financial turnover proof (CA certified)
GST, PAN, MSME, EPF/ESIC registration
Site layout, plan, tower foundation plan
Work Completion Certificates
Equipment/Tools/Manpower details

2. Financial Bid:

Fill out the BOQ (Bill of Quantities) or rate quotation file
Must be filled electronically (Excel sheet or portal-based)

Step 5: Pay Earnest Money Deposit and Submit Bid

Pay EMD (if applicable) via NEFT or bank guarantee
Upload all documents (PDF format usually)
Submit bids online before the deadline

Step 6: Track the Evaluation

If shortlisted in the technical bid, your financial bid will be opened.
The lowest qualified bidder (L1) is usually awarded the contract.

Step 7: Execute Agreement & Start Work

Sign the work order/contract agreement
Submit Performance Guarantee (PG) (usually 5–10% of contract value)
Mobilize resources and begin execution per the specifications

Checklist for Mobile Tower Construction Tender All Mandatory


Business Registration (Contractor)
Class III Digital Signature (DSC)
GST & PAN
MSME/EPF/ESIC (if applicable)
Past Work Experience
Financial Turnover (CA-certified)
Site Layout/Drawings
Bid Security / EMD
BOQ (Financial Bid Format)

Tips for Individuals or Small Contractors

Start with BSNL tenders, as they regularly invite civil contractors for tower foundation + shelter + fencing.
Consider partnering with licensed telecom infra companies if you lack direct experience.
Use MSME certificate to get EMD exemption in eligible tenders.

LJ Blogs

What is Government Tender? How Tender Works? How to apply for Tender?