RFP Reference No :NSDC/RFP/SDMS Dt.

4th, January, 2011

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

FOR

Implementation of a web-based application environment to generate an effective management framework

for the skill development initiatives of the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) on SaaS
(Software as a Service) model.

• Date of commencement of proposal Process : January05, 2011

• Date and time for Pre- proposalConference: 3pm on January07, 2011
• Last date for receipt of queries on RFP : January11, 2011
• Date of issue of Clarifications: January14, 2011
• Last date for submission of proposals : January21, 2011
• Date of opening of proposals : 4 pm on January 24, 2011
• Short-listing of Service providers for proposal Presentations: January24, 2011
• Proposal Presentations: January 25 to 27, 2011
• Date of Award: January31, 2011
• Commencement of Implementation: February 15, 2011
• Address for Communication:National Skill Development Corporation D-4, Clarion
Collection, (Qutab Hotel) ShaheedJeet Singh Marg
New Delhi 11 0 016 Tel: 011 46 56 0414 Fax: 011 4656 0417
• Cost of RFP: A copy of the RFP can be downloaded free of cost from
www.nsdcindia.org Date Text
• Contact Person: Jaikant Singh , proposals@nsdcindia.org
 Table of Contents
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL .............................................................................................................. I
TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................ 2
SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................... 5
1.1 NATIONAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (NSDC), AT A GLANCE .......................................................... 5
1.2 OBJECTIVES AND MISSION STATEMENT OF NSDC ........................................................................................... 5
1.2.1 Mission Statement............................................................................................................................................ 5
1.3 ORGANISATION OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................................... 6
1.3.1 NSDC Structure ................................................................................................................................................. 6
1.3.2 NSDC’s Role...................................................................................................................................................... 6
1.3.3 Focus Areas....................................................................................................................................................... 8

SECTION 2. STRUCTURE OF THE RFP ......................................................................................... 10

2.1 ABOUT THIS RFP .......................................................................................................................................... 10

SECTION 3. CRITERIONS AND PARAMETERS.............................................................................. 11

3.1 PRE-QUALIFICATION (ELIGIBILITY) CRITERIONS ............................................................................................ 11
3.2 ELIGIBILITY PARAMETERS ............................................................................................................................ 12

SECTION 4. SCOPE OF WORK .................................................................................................... 14

4.1 GENERAL SCOPE OF WORK ........................................................................................................................... 14
4.2 HARDWARE AND NETWORK EQUIPMENT CONSIDERATIONS ....................................................................... 15
4.3 SERVICE RESPONSIBILITIES ........................................................................................................................... 15
4.4 SIZING AND SCALABILITY REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................................... 16
4.5 APPLICATION EXPECTATION AND STAKEHOLDER NEEDS .............................................................................. 16
4.5.1 Proposal Management ....................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
4.5.2 Operations Management ............................................................................................................................. 210
4.5.3 Portlets for Operation Managementl ............................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.2
4.5.4 Faculty Information Portal ........................................................................................................................... 275
4.5.5 Student Information Portal........................................................................................................................... 286
4.5.6 Assessment Module: ..................................................................................................................................... 297
4.5.7 Placement Exchange: ................................................................................................................................... 297
4.5.8 Sector Skills Council’s functions – (future requirement) ............................................................................... 298
4.5.9 Other Stake Holders...................................................................................................................................... 308
4.6 IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE....................................................................................................................... 30
4.7 SERVICE LEVEL REQUIREMENTS AND PENALTIES .......................................................................................... 31
4.7.1 Definitions ...................................................................................................................................................... 31
4.7.2 CategoryofSLAs ............................................................................................................................................ 353
4.7.3 Servicelevels ................................................................................................................................................. 364
4.7.4 Prompt Service:............................................................................................................................................. 364

SECTION 5. INSTRUCTIONS TO PROPOSERS............................................................................375

5.1 DEFINITIONS USED ......................................................................................................................................... 375
5.2 PROPOSER ENQUIRIES & NSDC RESPONSE ................................................................................................. 386
5.3 PRE- PROPOSAL CONFERENCE .................................................................................................................... 386
5.4 VENUE & DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL ................................................................................. 397
5.5 PROPOSAL PREPARATION COST ................................................................................................................. 397
5.6 RIGHT TO TERMINATION/CANCELLATION .................................................................................................. 397
5.7 CORRUPT OR FRAUDULENT PRACTICE ........................................................................................................ 408

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 5.8 LATE PROPOSALS ...................................................................................................................................... 408
5.9 PROPOSAL OPENING.................................................................................................................................... 38
5.10 GENERAL TERMS OF PROPOSAL SUBMISSION.............................................................................................. 38
5.11 PREPARATION OF PROPOSAL ...................................................................................................................... 39
5.12 PROPOSAL FORMAT..................................................................................................................................... 40
5.13 TECHNICAL PROPOSAL ................................................................................................................................ 42
5.14 COMMERCIAL PROPOSAL ............................................................................................................................ 42

SECTION 6. PROPOSAL EVALUATION .......................................................................................464

6.1 EVALUATION COMMITTEE(S) ..................................................................................................................... 464
6.2 PROPOSAL OPENING AND EVALUATION .................................................................................................... 464
6.2.1 Technical evaluation:.................................................................................................................................... 465
6.2.2 Financial evaluation: .................................................................................................................................... 475
6.3 CONFIDENTIALITY OF PROCESS .................................................................................................................. 475
6.4 CLARIFICATIONS OF PROPOSALS ................................................................................................................ 486
6.5 INITIAL EXAMINATION OF PROPOSALS ...................................................................................................... 486
6.6 CORRECTIONS OF ERRORS.......................................................................................................................... 486
6.7 TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERIONS ........................................................................................................ 497
6.8 FINANCIAL EVALUATION CRITERIONS ........................................................................................................ 507

SECTION 7. TERMS AND CONDITIONS......................................................................................519

7.1 CONTRACT DOCUMENTS............................................................................................................................ 519
7.2 INTERPRETATION....................................................................................................................................... 519
7.3 COMMUNICATIONS ................................................................................................................................... 519
7.4 LANGUAGE .............................................................................................................................................. 5150
7.5 TIME FOR COMMENCEMENT AND COMPLETION.......................................................................................... 50
7.6 PROPOSER’S ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ................................................................................................. 50
7.7 EMPLOYER’S (AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS) ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES .................................................. 51
7.8 TERMS OF PAYMENT .................................................................................................................................. 552
7.9 TAXES AND DUTIES .................................................................................................................................... 553
7.10 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (IPR)........................................................................................................ 53
7.11 SOFTWARE SERVICES AND LICENSE AGREEMENTS...................................................................................... 575
7.12 CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION ................................................................................................................... 585
7.13 AUTHORISED REPRESENTATIVES................................................................................................................ 585
7.13.1 Employer’s Representative ........................................................................................................................... 586
7.13.2 Proposer’s Representative ............................................................................................................................ 596
7.13.3 Objections and Removals ............................................................................................................................. 596
7.14 PROJECT PLANNING AND PERFORMANCE .................................................................................................. 597
7.15 SUBCONTRACTING (AREAS THAT CAN BE SUBCONTRACTED, EXTENT ETC).................................................. 607
7.16 TRANSPORT AND DELIVERY ....................................................................................................................... 607
7.17 PRODUCT UPGRADES................................................................................................................................. 608
7.18 INSPECTION AND TESTING ......................................................................................................................... 618
7.19 COMMISSIONING AND OPERATIONAL ACCEPTANCE .................................................................................. 618
7.20 COMPLETION TIME GUARANTEE ................................................................................................................ 629
7.21 DEFECT LIABILITY ....................................................................................................................................... 629
7.22 FUNCTIONAL GUARANTEES ......................................................................................................................... 60
7.23 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY............................................................................................................................. 60
7.24 CRIMINAL CHARGES AND CONVICTION ........................................................................................................ 61
7.25 CARE OF IT PRODUCTS AND/OR SERVICES .................................................................................................... 61
7.26 LOSS OF OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY; ACCIDENT OR INJURY TO WORKERS .................................................... 61

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 7.27 INSURANCE................................................................................................................................................ 642
7.28 FORCE MAJEURE ........................................................................................................................................ 642
7.29 CHANGE IN LAWS AND REGULATIONS ........................................................................................................ 653
7.30 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS .......................................................................................................................... 653
7.31 EXTENSION OF TIME FOR COMPLETION ..................................................................................................... 664
7.32 SUSPENSION .............................................................................................................................................. 664
7.33 TERMINATION FOR PROPOSER’S DEFAULT ............................................................................................... 664
7.34 DISPUTES AND ARBITRATION..................................................................................................................... 675
7.34.1 Arbitration .................................................................................................................................................... 675
7.34.2 JURISDICTION ............................................................................................................................................... 675
7.35 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES ...................................................................................................... 686

SECTION 8. ANNEXURE A ........................................................................................................707

8.1 LIST OF MIS STATEMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED * ........................................................................................... 707
8.2 REPORT 1 - MIS REPORT SHOWING PERFORMANCE OF A TRAINING PROJECT FUNDED BY NSDC:................ 718
8.3 REPORT 2 – OWNERSHIP DETAILS OF THE AGENCIES BEING FUNDED .......................................................... 718
8.4 REPORT 3 - MIS REPORT SHOWING PARTNERWISE PROGRESS REPORT: ..................................................... 729
8.5 REPORT 4 – TRAINEES REGISTRATION DETAILS ........................................................................................... 729
8.5.1 FORM - I.......................................................................................................................................................... 70
8.5.2 FORM -II .......................................................................................................................................................... 74
8.5.3 FORM III - COMMERCIAL PROPOSAL ........................................................................................................... 764
8.5.4 FORM IV - TECHNICAL BID FORM ................................................................................................................. 796

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 SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 NATIONAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (NSDC), AT A

GLANCE

The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)has been institutedto address the compelling need
tostrategize and operationalize a world-class skill development solutionpertinent to the Indian context,
to effectively drive the speedy development of skills essential to sustain the country’s growing economy.

NSDC is a first-of-its-kind Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model in India with a focus toward skill
development. A major part of NSDC’s skill development effort is aimed at the unorganised sector.

1.2 OBJECTIVES AND MISSION STATEMENT OF NSDC

The main objective of NSDC is to achieve the overall target of skilling/ up-skilling 150 million people by
the year 2022, mainly by fostering private sector initiatives in skill development.

• Mission Statement

• Upgrade the quality of skills to match international standards through significant industry
involvement and to develop the necessary frameworks to address the development and
sustainability of a dynamic management system regarding relevant curriculum, content,
pedagogy, assessment and evaluation, quality assurance process and standards.

• Enhance, support and coordinate private sector initiatives for skill development through
appropriate Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models; strive for significant operational and
financial involvement from the private sector.

• Focus on the underprivileged sections of society and the backward regions of the country,
thereby enabling their move out of poverty; similarly focus on the workforce from the
unorganized or the informal sector.

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1.3 ORGANISATION OVERVIEW
NSDC acts as a catalyst, enabling skill development initiatives to scale, by providing viability gap
funding to enterprises, companies and organisations that provide skill training. NSDCmay also develop
appropriate PPP models to enhance, support and coordinate private sector initiatives to achieve its
objectives.

NSDC’s understanding of the need for skill development has spurred varied approaches towards each of
the 21 skill sectors under it’s purview, making each and every sector attractive for private investment.

1.3.1 NSDC Structure

NSDC is a non-profit company,under the aegis of the Ministry of Finance, registered under Section 25 of
the Companies Act. It has an equity base of Rs. 10 crore, of which the Government of India’s contribution
accounts for 49%, while the private sector has a 51% stake

To ensure superior decision-making, the NSDC requires a structure and governance model that provides
it with autonomy, stature and continuity. Thus, the organisation has a four tiered decision-making
structure comprising of:

• Board of Directors
• Board of Sub Committees
• Executive Council
• National Skill Development Fund (NSDF)
Each tier has a clear-cut role in the NSDC’s operations, activities and strategy to facilitate the
organisation’s mandate of coordinating and stimulating private sector initiatives towards skill
development with enhanced flexibility and effectiveness.

The 12-member Board has four government nomineesand eight private sector members. The Chairman
of NSDC is from amongst the private sector. NSDF is a 100% government-owned trust that invests in the
NSDC, and is run by professional fund managers.

1.3.2 NSDC’s Role

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The role of NSDC is to facilitate or catalyse initiatives which would have a multiplier effect In doing so, it
will strive to involve the industry in all aspects of skill development. The approach will be to develop
partnerships with multiple stakeholders and build on current efforts, rather than undertake too many
initiatives, directly or by duplicating efforts that are currently underway.

To scale up efforts that are necessary to achieve the objective of skilling and or up skilling 150 million
people, NSDC will strive to:

• Develop ultra low cost, high-quality, innovative business models

• Attract significant private investment
• Ensure that its funds are largely “re-circulating”; i.e. loan or equity rather than grant
• Create leverage for itself
• Build a strong corpus
• DevelopLabour Market Information System

In cognisance of the above mentioned points,, NSDC will focus on the following four key roles:

Funding and incentivising:In the near term this is a key role. This involves financing initiatives
either as loans or as equity vis’-a-‘vis providing grants, thus providing financial incentives, as support,
to select private sector initiatives, improving their financial viability. The exact nature of funding
(equity, loan or grant) will depend on the viability or attractiveness of the segment/skill sector and, to
some extent, the type of player (for-profit private, non-profit industry association or non-profit NGO).
Over time, the NSDC aspires to create strong viable business models and reduce its ‘grant-awarding’
role.

Enabling support services:Skill development institutions require a number of inputs such as

relevant curriculum and courseware, appropriate pedagogy tailored to respond to the desired outcomes,
faculty and their training, assessment and evaluation, quality assurance processes and finally
certification; and standards, multiple support services that include technology platforms and student
placement mechanisms are also essential. NSDC will play a significant enabling role in some of these
support services, and most importantly in the near term set up standards and accreditation systems in
partnership with industry associations.

Shaping/creating:In the near term, the NSDC will proactively seed and facilitate the requisite
momentum for large scale participation by private players in skill development. NSDC will identify

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critical skill groups, develop models for skill development and attract potential private players and
provide the required support to kick off these efforts.

Sector Skills Council:Sector Skills Council: NSDC has the mandate from Govt of India to setup the
Sector Skills Council for 20 identified Industry Sector, who would be looking after the industry related
skilling concept, processes, certification, accreditation and quality framework

a. Conducting researchdevelop competency standards, skill inventory database,

international trends, technology trends etc

b. Improving the delivery mechanism developing and improving modules, developing

training delivery mechanisms, training the trainers, apprenticeship etc

c. Building quality assurance -certification and accreditation process, other pedagogy.

1.3.3 Focus Areas

Skill development: The challenge of skilling and or up-skilling 500 million individuals by 2022 will
require both, fundamental education reforms across all levels of the formal the educational system and
significant enhancement of supplementary skill development. In the near term, NSDC will focus
primarily on supplementary skill development and strive to create seamless tracks within both the
formal and in formal segments of the same.

Foster private sector initiatives: Towards the strengthening of the supplementary skill development
segment of the existing educational system, NSDC will focus on fostering private sector led efforts that
will only include both ‘not –for -profit’ and ‘for-profit’ models that are scalable.

Depending on the target segment NSDC will adopt a differential approach in supporting private sector
initiatives.. Based on the marketability of the skill group concerned and the achievable income levels of
the student population therein, there are three broad segments across which NSDC will focus:

• Attractive segment: Given that the market automatically works, the NSDC will only play
a reactive role and support the scale-up by various players.
• Viable segment but with marginal economics or involving high risk/uncertainty:
This will be a key focus area of NSDC particularly in the near term, with the aim being to
make this segment much more attractive for private investment.
• Completely unviable segment: Over time, NSDC will aspire to work in this segment in
collaboration with government departments and help develop innovative business models

8
which can move players from this segment to the viable segment.

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 SECTION 2. STRUCTURE OF THE RFP
2.1 ABOUT THIS RFP
The National Skill Development Corporation invites service providers/suppliers to submit the technical
as well as commercial offers forthe deployment of a web based application on SaaS (Software as a
Service) model, a customizable readymade solution, which will be called the Skill Development
Management System (SDMS.) Under SaaS model the service provider is responsible for creation,
updating and maintenance of the web based application. .) SDMS will be used by NSDC and its partner
organizations, each one of which will be a separate legal entity in the application, and hence will have
security of its data from each other. NSDC and its funded companies and their centers and other stake
holder shall have access to the application. The web based application should enable NSDC effectively
manage its skill development programs directly and or with its affiliated centersand for its partners
to manage their entire operation of skill development through efficient administration of their
centers, managing content and industry partnerships. The overall scope, conditions, and
expectations are prescribed in this Request for Proposal (RFP) document.

This RFP includesrequirement study, setup, integration, customization/development, implementation,

training, documentation and maintenance of the said SDMS including upgrade as per specifications,
terms and conditions and scope defined and prescribed in this Request For Proposal (RFP) document.

This RFP is with regard to appointment of a vendor for:

REQUIREMENT STUDY, ANALYSIS, APPLICATION DESIGN, PROTOTYPE DESIGN,

CUSTOMISATION AND/OR REQUISITE DEVELOPMENT, TESTING, INTEGRATION,
DEPLOYMENT, PREPERATION OF TECHNICAL AND USER DOCUMENTATION, TRAINING
&MAINTENANCE OF APPLICATIONON THENETWORK (LAN & WAN). CAPTURE AND
STORE CRITICAL DATA RELATING TO THE SKILL DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES AND
ENSURING ACCESS TO THE DATA AND DETAILS OF STUDENTS, FACULTY AND CENTERS
AT MULTIPLE LEVELS AND FROM THEREON AT THE TRAINING PROVIDER LEVEL ON A
REGULAR BASIS.

This RFP is not an offer by NSDC, but an invitation to receive response from Proposers. No contractual
obligation whatsoever shall arise from the RFP process unless and until a formal contract is signed and
executed by duly authorized representatives of respective parties.

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A vendor submitting the proposal in response to RFP for providing the solution may hereinafter
interchangeably be referred to as “Vendor/ Proposer/Service Provider”.

SECTION 3. CRITERIONS AND PARAMETERS

3.1 PRE-QUALIFICATION (ELIGIBILITY) CRITERIONS
NSDC’s prime criterion is that the Proposers should be able to demonstrate a working model and
ability to design and customise / develop of the Skills Development Management Software a skilling,
and administration system as outlined in this document and should be able to provide evidenceof
existing deployment ineducation / skill development centers.

The prospective Proposers should comply with the following criteria to be eligible for participation
in the RFP:

• Proposer should demonstrate the ability to provide the requisite application design inclusive
of customisation, implementation, and training services to NSDC and its associates with a
strong understanding of the challenges and issues in skill development space.

• The Web-Based Application Software should be able to provide / demonstrate expertise in

the following areas:

o Facilitate overall management of training, skilling, technical and financial monitoring,

control and risk management , and reporting with respect to modules handled by all stake
holders concerned and the other training center’s management for total solution.

o Enable the administrative management at the training center/institute.

o Labour market analysis data is made integral to the Labour Management Information System
(LMIS). It should capture / collect and collate data for LMIS i.e both supply and demand
market.

o Ability to segment data by industry, trade, geography, timelines, education/ vocation/ trade /
curriculum and other qualifications, etc.

o The Proposer should have demonstrated experience in scaling organizations.

o Provision for a continuous feedback, review and improvement of the system

• The Proposer must not have been blacklisted by any government organization in India at the
time of submission of the RFP.

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 • Permanent Account Number (PAN) of Proposer/each consortium member should be
available from Income Tax authorities.

• The Proposershould provide all necessary documents as part of the proposal process to
indicate financial, technical and administrative capability and stability to support NSDC in
achieving its objective of creating a strong technology backbone in its skill development
program.

• Preferably Proposers should be capable of independently providing all the requirements of

this RFPor they can form a pre- proposal consortium with companies in compliance of the
necessaryrequirements of this RFP. Post proposal alliances or outsourcing or other vendor
partnerships to provide the necessary services covered in the scope of RFP is not permitted.
Participating companies in the pre- proposal consortium should identify and clearly
articulate their independent role/s and responsibilities as a part of the overall solution as
indicated in the scope of work in this RFP.

• NSDC reserves the right to carry out the capability assessment of the Proposer and the
decision of the NSDC shall be final in this regard. Acceptance certificate towards this clause
must be submitted.

3.2 ELIGIBILITY PARAMETERS

The following eligibility parameters shall be used for defining the eligibility criterion forProposers:

S. Criteria Documents to be submitted

No.
1. The Proposer/ at least one partner in the
consortium should have developed /
implemented or associated with similar /
relevant solution. Any one Partner having filed
income tax returns in Information Technology
and related services(Application Development,
Datacenter Management etc.) would be an
added advantage.
2. Proposer / Proposer Consortium should be an
established Information Technology Company
and should be able to demonstrate its
experience in implementing similar solutions
asqualifying documents
Audited financial statements of the Proposer
and if the Proposer is forming part of a larger
group or conglomerate of companies
reflecting overall turnover of the group and
the turnover specific to the proposer, its
services / product lines for the past financial
years, if any and other satisfactory evidences
such as authorized signatory, auditor’s
certificate etc. The Income Tax Returns filed
by the company for the last assessment years
should also be submitted, if available.
Certificate of Incorporation of thecompany.
Memorandum of Association and Articles of
Association of the Proposer/all the partners.

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 in India or overseas.
3. The Proposer/Proposer Consortium should Demonstration of the tool, credentials
have expertise, experience and potential in its endorsing the claim.
people and in developing Web Based
Integrated Solution and have worked on /
provided similar products/ services as
envisaged in this RFP. Proposer should
demonstrate their understanding of the on-the-
ground challenges in implementing such
systems, preferably in the Indian context.

4. Proposer / Proposer Consortium should Engagements in the education / vocational

demonstrate a good understanding of the skill domain space
landscape, policies, stakeholders and
challenges in the education / skill development
space. We believe that this knowledge will
help in creating a scalable all-encompassing
web based tool that addresses functionality.

5. Proposer shall not be under declaration of Declaration signed by the highest level in the
ineligibility for corrupt or fraudulent practices Proposer/Proposer consortium’s
by any government agency. management.

1. A power of attorney in the name of the person signing the proposal. In case of consortium, the same
should be signed by legally authorized signatories of all the partners nominating one of the partners
as the Lead Proposer.

2. In case of consortium, the consortium must submit:

• The details of roles and responsibilities of each partner. The same should be endorsed by
authorized representative of the each partner.

• The original stamped consortium agreement shall be attached along with Technical proposal.

• The approximate stakes of each partner of the consortium, authorized by the lead partner,
should also be submitted along with the proposal document.

13
The formats for the checklist along with the required supporting documents have been provided in FORM-
II hereinafter. All the documents / certificates submitted by the Proposer should be duly signed by the
Authorized Representative of the Proposer / consortium.

SECTION 4. SCOPE OF WORK

4.1 GENERAL SCOPE OF WORK

On a broader level the scope of work involves:

1. Requirement Study, Design, Application Customization/ Development, Testing, Implementation,

Integration, Training, Documentation and Deployment .

2. Feature set to manage, monitor and track all NSDC funded beneficiaries.

3. Hardware hosting, network facilitation, management and support

4. Data Migration where necessitated & Integration from different software’s of NSDC’s Partners and
other stake holders.

5. Job Platform - Job seekers, businesses, and institutions public and private are likely to make many
labourmarket related choices and decisions over their lifetime; hence the LMIS must be able to
support this.

6. Provisioning for UID Nos. being created by the Govt. of India on each certificate of trainees.

7. Security and Risk Management of the Application and of the data belonging to NSDC and its partners.

8. Support and maintenance ongoing for an initial subscription period of 5 years.

The System implementation roadmap should be as per the following exhibit which depicts astep by step
process of system implementation:

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4.2 HARDWARE AND NETWORK EQUIPMENT CONSIDERATIONS
1. The basic premise of the hardware and network equipment is to enable a high quality of service
performance to support the SDMS. The hardware and network equipments and their
corresponding specifications should be determined taking into consideration the requirement of
the software application, number of users, number of students, number of centers, performance
parameters and system security.

2. The Proposer should address in their response their current hardware, networking and other
infrastructure setup specifically the uptime guaranteed and the security layers at their data
centers, failure switchover mechanism, backup procedures (automated and on-demand),
disaster recovery and also their approach and plan to deal with/scale the hardware and network
infrastructure as the number of users increase

4.3 SERVICE RESPONSIBILITIES

The selected Proposer should participate in scope enhancement discussions and proactively implement
ongoing changes/updates in consultation with NSDC with a committed timeframe for facilitating such
changes at free of cost and beyond which it could be chargeable.

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4.4 SIZING AND SCALABILITY REQUIREMENTS
1. It is most important that the SDMS and MIS Solution with all its components should be scalable to
handle additional MIS Reports as NSDC may require, from time to time. Scalability must be in terms
of Hardware, Software, database design, Network Support, Geography, No of Partners, Additional
MIS Reports, etc. keeping in view to next 5 Year MIS requirements. Upon the implementation of
SDMS, by virtue of an integrated solution, the proposer is able to visualize and understand the
scaling of the activity (specifically from NSDC Governance module – refer 4.5) and accordingly
should be able to plan proactively to support and meet the scaling requirements.

2. The Sizing of the Solution should be done keeping in view all the above points, including a 5 Year
plan in terms of scaling of the hardware, network and other infrastructure.

3. The solution must be sized to provide a good response time as will be decided during Systems
Requirement Study on the User Terminal with registered users of as the SDMS could gather from
various other integrated modules.

4.5 APPLICATION EXPECTATION AND STAKEHOLDER NEEDS

NSDC receives several proposals for funding. All of thesetoday aretracked and monitored manually. The
NSDC Management module below is intended to enable receiving funding applications, tracking and
monitoring all beneficiaries who have been eventually funded.

The beneficiaries are who would setup centers or undertake activity as proposed in their application to
NSDC. The SDMS would need to facilitate bringing the beneficiaries on to the application and track spend
against funding and other parameters. Also it is NSDCs intent to get a view into the operational
parameters of the beneficiaries and their centers using a standard platform.

NSDC believes the SDMS is what will help it enable achieve this goal given that the center’s entire faculty,
students etc., will be using the same platform and will ensure it provides standardised reports and
information on a dynamic and real time basis. Hence the module under the beneficiary are classified as
sub modules like setting up of center, center administration, mobilization of students, student
management system, fee and loan management, training management, , market network, LMS (Learning
Management System), Question Bank Management and Assignment Generator, Assessments, Online

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Entrance, Content Management, Consultants Registration, feedback mechanism, content management,
alumni tracking. Human Resource Management, Payroll, Integration to Tally and other interfaces,etc.,
that aggregate views all the way to beneficiaries, NSDC, Sector Skill Council (SSC), PMO and other stake
holders.

The assessments module is to build a standardised framework of assessments spanning across all
students, centers, trades etc., and the placement exchange module to help all of these students resumes
to be stored in a centralised database where the prospective potential employers could login, search,
review and recruit the suitable candidates.

Below is a modular representation of the SDMS functional requirement:

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 Basic pre-requisites from the developed/customized application are that it be

1. User friendly
2. Intuitive
3. Robust
4. Have a strong, well conceptualized foundation that would enable the application
administrator to configure new partners in the said application, as and when required, as per
their internal structure/ processes
5. Strong Analytical dashboards/reports that would enable various stakeholders at NSDC and
at each partner organization to, on an ongoing basis, take immediate corrective actions for
enhanced controls and increased productivity
In general the key capabilities envisaged from the system are below. However this is only an indicative
feature set for the proposer to be able to price. There could be a slight variation in terms of prioritisation
/ change in feature set at the time of finalising the SRS (Systems Requirements Specification) and NSDC
may ask for such revisions to submit a revised financial quote.

SDMS should facilitate effective capture of the financial, administrative and operational information for
each center operated by the agencies /companies funded by NSDC. This should include but not be
limited to the following general features through the application:

1 The reports generated from the application should be exportable into multiple formats as required
by NSDC and its partners, stakeholders as government and others.NSDC would expect the Vendor to
provide a initial setup of report formats.

2 Messaging and communication – The system in general should have email based alerts, intimations
etc., built in besides mobile being one of the fastest penetrating communication media alerts on
mobile and updates/ feedback to system through mobile devices to be incorporated.

3 Ability for center’s to take picture and mail / upload into the system for audit and other reviews if
provided – would be an added advantage. Ability to host audio, video files for sharing if provided –
would be an added advantage.

4 Directory of all users and their contact details – to be updated and maintained

5 Ability to evaluate performance of NSDC Partners and of training Centres or franchises belonging to
each partner based on defined parameters.

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6 API access - The system should provide password-protected, read-only API access to selected
sections of data. This will help partners develop in-house custom apps (for example, SMS
marketing).

7 Integration with inbound SMS service for capturing leads. Partners can run marketing campaigns
through various media and invite responses through SMS.

8 Ability to create UID no. and track certificates being issued, avoid duplication and forgery. System should
check on other parameters (contact numbers, driver’s license number etc) to identify, if the candidate is
already registered in the system w/o UID. Create no. post issue of certificates also.

9 Automated back-up of data on periodic basis (which can be set by each partner/NSDC) on remote
servers in a geographically different location from where the main data server resides

10 System should allow capture of Student picture using web camera and attach it with Student’s profile
during the registration process.

11 CRM function for market data being captured for probable candidates / aspirants.

12 Capture the demand and supply data and prepare the analytical report of the Labour Market.

13 Ability to have separate dash board for different stake holders of each NSDC Partner and meet their MIS
requirements and have adequate safety and security provisions to ensure that the data of one partner is
secure and invisible to another partner .

14 System should have a provision for creation of database of consultants thereby provisioning consultants
to provide and update their profiles online

15 System should throw automated escalations to defined NSDC authorities/stake holders in the partner
organizations for any exceptions or delays of process steps.

16 System should extract data/ report on various required parameters as region, geography, sector, skill
trades, associate, state, student wise, center wise, etc

17 System should allow the IT administrator of each legal entity on this application (i.e.. NSDC and each one
of its partners) to generate ad-hoc reports as per their internal demand.

18 Secured Certificate Authentication should be there to this web site and it should be trusted

Below are a brief description of the feature set of each of the modules:

4.5.1 Proposal Management

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All the organisations/entities funded by NSDC and their contracts would be required to be updated on
this module and this module will be operated by NSDC to track deliverables of the contracts it enters
into with its funded organisations/entities.

1 All proposals submitted by organizations/entities would be assigned a unique number to be

generated by the system itself with an user login id and password.

2 Proposed system should be able to give the on-line status of the Proposal and should provide the
details of the stage at which the proposal is pending.

3 System should throw automated requirements/information necessary for the proposal to move to
the next stage.

4 In the event of grant of funding by NSDC, the system should facilitate automatic update of the
details of the proposal/application in the existing database of NSDC

5 In the event of the rejection of the proposal/application, the system should produce adequate
closure report for the same

6 System should have the ability to generate escalation messages in case of delays in response/ action
then prescribed for each stage.

7 The system should have the ability generate stage wise consolidated report of proposal say Test of
Response (TOR) Proposal Evaluation (PEC) and Proposal Approval (PAC) committee and the Board
of Approval level.

8 Capture of information pertaining to the agencies / projects funded.

9 Credentials including financial information, ownership details, leases etc

10 Proposal management system to track the status of applications/ proposals on-line.

11 Centers operated- capacity, courses offered, fee structures, faculty credentials etc.

12 Ability to record the contracts and multiple parameters of the agreements of the contract

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13 Ability to define committed/agreed levels of services as per the contract such as number of students
per Training Centers, no. of Training Centers, Geography, no. of Courses/ Skill Trades , the
placement no. / %age, amount of fees, collection schedule likely companies to be placed and
provisions for actual progress against those projected figures, capturing funds under various heads
capex and opex at center and nodal level of partners etc.

14 Proposed system should be able to give exception reports at multiple levels on agreed vs. actual on
all the parameters/levels defined on monthly, quarterly and annual basis.

15 System should provide online approval workflows for any exceptions, where the approvers can be
defined at different levels based on the nature of exception.

4.5.2 Operations Management

This module would have necessary portlets / platforms to manage the day to operations of the NSDC’s
Partners as below:

(A) Configuration of New Partner

(B) Setting up of center

(C) Mobilization (CRM)

(D) Center Administration

(E) Student Loan Management

(F) Training Management

(G) Alumni Tracking

(H) Strategic Partnerships & Alliances

(I) Content Management

(J) Content dissemination
(K) Incorporation of Business Models

(L) HR, Payroll Management, Integration to Tally

(M) Application Administrator

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The system should be able to collate requisite data from the aforesaid portlets and provide a needful
information / report on a dash board to enable NSDC monitor, track and review the operations of the
funded organisations/entities and their centers. This module also helps NSDC reach out and
communicate with all of such organisations/entities and theircenters.

1. Key Performance Indicators of NSDC funded organisations/entities and further drill down to
their Training Center from a management perspective

2. Further drill down to students performance, placement, admission, Capacity Utilisation, Facility
Performance Report, Notices and Information, training by trade etc,

3. Fee collections, budgeted vs. actual, other financial information like P&L, BS etc., with drill down
to center level.

4. Ability to message and cascade information down to all channels, ability to seek feedback etc.

5. Drill down to employee’s strength, their details and faculty etc.

6. Aggregate reports on the overall skilled manpower availability, capacities by trade

7. Funds allocated and achievement of targeted financial goals

8. Issues and challenges by region, sector, associate wise, etc

9. System should provision to extract the report of “Projector Monitors” centerwise, batchwise,
tradewise etc

10. Ability to issue, track and monitor certificates with auto system generation of the numbers for
control and governance. Providing of UID nos. As given by Central Govt.

11. Enable enquiries tracking and responses at center level and further aggregation of all center’s at
the organisation/entity level, which is funded by NSDC

12. Student registration including courses studies, economic background and other demographic
information

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13. Enable tracking and audit of attendance, status of completion of courses, test scores including
practical tests, etc

14. Fee structure and status of collection of fees

15. Issues, challenges and feedback at the center level

16. Information pertaining to the classroom sessions, test notification to be provided to the students

17. Managing access levels to various users at center/region /national level for each partner and for
NSDC

18. Online registration for students.

19. On line generation of Certificates and printing facility. Automatic numbering of Certificates.

20. Provision of incorporating the UID no. On all certificates generated till date.

21. Managing Training Programs, Course Curriculum, Course Completion, Faculty,

attendance, fee collections, loan tracking, schedules, communication etc.

22. Online Learning Content Repository – Teachers/Content Adminsitrators or NSDC

Admin(s) can upload any online content such as class notes, question bank etc, which
can be made available online to students / faculty. Strict access controls will define teh
roles that can upload and those who can access selected parts of this content.

23. Student Evaluations: Continuous Evaluation through Tests, Assignments, Quizzes, Group
Discussions, Presentations, Seminars etc.

24. Exam and Quiz: Manage Date Sheets, Detailed Mark Sheets and Teachers can conduct online
exams related to the course or to the whole program, which can be automatically graded and can
be re-graded if necessary

25. Printing of receipts for students

26. Smart card / RF card for students tracking

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4.5.3 Operation Portlets requirements – as relevant to NSDC’s Partners

A) Configuration of New Partner

• Define new partner Organization as a new legal entity in the application

• Setup Organization Chart, Map Roles, Define Access, Set approval limits for each role
(e.g..extension in fee payment due date, discount on fee, petty cash approval limits etc)

• Setup database instance for the new partner

• Setup Automated backup procedures

(B) Setting up of center

• Project management tool for managing setting up of the center

• Plan setup of centre - prepare project sheet with detailed list of tasks, timelines and budgets

• Track Progress of work and raise flags when tasks which have interdependencies are delayed.

• Monitor Expenses against Budgets

• Feed to Finance module

(C) Mobilization (CRM)

• Tracking of the mobilisation process, which flows as - Identify Field Executives --> Map them to
specific programs --> Capture Leads Generated -> Track and set reminders/alarms for Follow
up (phone calls or visits) -> Walk In (Counseling) ->Registration -> Admission

• Status of each lead needs to be tracked and recorded upto the converstion (i.e. registration fee
paid)

• Weekly plan/forecast of mobilization needs to be prepared by the field team.

• Result of previous weeks efforts needs to be reported & compared with the plan

• Field staff mobilisation reports need to be generated to monitor performance and take actions to
further improve productivity.

• Monitor payments/incentives paid to Field Executives and feed into Finance module;

• Monitor Field Executive's drop out rates and black list if drop out rate is above predefined x%

• Excel Upload required for Prospect data Entry in addition to front end data entry form.

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(D) Center Administration

• When enrolled, change status from Prospect to Student

• Track the students attendance and fee deposition track dropout, delays in fee payments, feed to
Finance module. Enabling alerts on fee payment, send intimation of launch of advanced courses
via SMS on mobile phones

• Attendance of staff -Biometric Enablement - needs to be connected to HR for Salary processing

and then to Finance

• Batch creation, mapping faculty and students to a future/current batch

• Lesson plans to be recorded for testing of adherence to content & trainer productivity

• Apprenticeship/Placement forecast to be prepared by center head monthly for the next 3

months for the Placement Team

• Student feedback to be recorded on content, trainer and centre facilities Enabling feedback from
students, alumni and trainers through Mobile phone (SMS)

• Trainer feedback to be recorded for content and centre facilities Enabling feedback from
trainers on-line

• Trainer Utilization and Effectiveness Assessment

• Asset management

• P & L tracking

(E) Student Loan Management

• Track students who have applied for loans & scholarships with partner agencies

• Track loan processing timelines, facilitation and reciept of money from agency

(F) Training Management

• Training details - performance records

• Lesson plans to be recorded for tracking of adherence to content and trainer productivity

• Student & Trainer feedback to be recorded and escalated wherever necessary

(G) Alumni Tracking

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 • Record details of alumni and track them

• Jobs – track how many are working in the line in which they were trained

• Retraining -inform them via SMS/online portal

• Alumni and Employer online feedback on effectiveness of training and industry readiness of the
student

(H) Strategic Partnerships & Alliances

• Database of employers who might be interested in hiring our students to be maintained

• Database of corporates who we can partner in several different types of partnerships other than
employment oriented ones as above.

• Track follow-up status of dialogue with potential industry partners/ employers including
tracking of creation of proposals, MoUs and agreements.

• Effective monitoring and management of relations with partners.

• Feedback from employers about our alumni's performance

• Feedback from partners engaged with students in training

• Enabling feedback from Industry partners on-line

(I)Content Management
• Tool for effective management of the process of content development through its entire lifecycle

• feed to Finance module of the costs incurred

• IT enablement of courses wherever possible

• Feedback MIS and Action taken /closure on all feedback

• Knowledge Bank management

• Question Bank Management and Assignment Generator

(J) Content dissemination

a. Disseminate the content across all centers from a central location - one location to many.

b. Run Training of Trainers remotely and continuously

(K) Business Models

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 a) Franchisee model - Each partner Organization can engage with Franchisee’s, who will in turn
setup multiple centres in a given region. Such centres too will have access to this application
and function as the partner owned centres. Application will provide the partner,
functionality to track performance of self owned and franchisee owned centres cumulatively
and separately

b. Satellite and mobile centers - Centers may have one or more satellite centers and many mobile
centers (like mobile vans) attached to them. These are considered to be components of teh main
center. However, we would require a MIS would track these cumulatively and separately.

c. Consultany – A partner organization may engage with another organization to provide

management consultancy to their centres.

(L) HR, Payroll Management, Integration to Tally

c. Payroll Management for Part Time, Full Time, Contractual, Consultants

d. Employees - Hiring Process, Exit Process, Promotion, Change of Role

e. Holiday and Leave Management

f. Competency Management

g. Integration to Tally

(M)Application Administration for each Partner e.g..user creation, mapping / remapping of

roles and access rights, setting/updating control parameters

This module would be implemented at each centre of all NSDC funded organizations/entities. MIS would
need to be collated from different centres at the organization level to facilitate effective monitoring and
management of operations.

4.5.4 Faculty Information Portal

This module would be for all of thefaculty at each of the centers and the faculty would be able to login to
view all information relating to batches, schedules, grades of students, attendance concerning their
centers, such as:

1 Calendar showing staff meetings, examination, class, seminars, workshops and other
schedules.

27
2 Attendance: Faculty can view their attendance detail on their portal

3 Course Activity: Faculty can view their course activity such as assignments given etc on
their portal

4 News, Notices and other Information

5 Grades: Faculty can view the grades of their students on their portal

6 Enter Course Completion Status

4.5.5 Student Information Portal

This module would be accessed by students and would help them in knowing their schedules, news, fee
related information, performance etc.

1 Calendar showing examination, Assignments, classes, seminars, workshop and other

schedules.

2 Attendance details

3 News, notices and access to other Information hosted online for students

4 Fee related details, online receipts

5 Student online feedback: Students can view their feedbacks about the programs or any
other relevant concern or input.

6 My Grades: Student can view their grades real time on their portal

7 Allowing students to update their employment details upon completion of studies

8 Alumni login

9 Students can see latest news, information about their eligibility for new levels of certificates,
possible employable opportunities

28
4.5.6 Registration of Consultants, Instructors, Certifying Agency:

This moduleshould facilitate access by all of the assessors and assist the assessment managers to track
and manage all assessments, results etc.

1 Facility to empanel assessors and help conduct assessments

2 Maintaining database of all types of consultants for Vocational Training

3 Registration of Infrastructure Providers

4 Registration of Certifying Agency

5 Rating of Agencies

4.5.7 Placement Exchange:

Module which will be accessed by both the job providers and job seekers. All of the students/trainees
resumes upon passing out will move into this module as their resumes. This module will also help
connecting both ends and help categorise resumes etc.

1 Online repository and login for job-seekers and job providers

2 Classification of resumes by skill sets, tagging and ability to search jobs for job seekers and vice
versa for job providers to seek candidates.

3 Multi search capability by skill, location, pay, years of experience etc.

4 Email, mobile based communication built into the system with alerts.

5 Listing of open opportunities by Job providers.

4.5.8 Sector Skills Council’s functions – (future requirement)

29
Sector skills Council would belike a forum for specific sectors and will devote their time to research,
promote, manage, build specific sectors of their focus. TheSector Skills Council would have focus on the
following:

1 Solution for LMIS to assist planning and delivery of training

2 Identification of skills and preparation of catalogue of skill types

3 Maintain skill inventory

4 Competency standards and qualifications

5 Standards, Certification and accreditation process

6 Rating of training providers

7 Renewal of certificates of Training , certifying and assessment agencies and associations

8 Job seekers, businesses, and institutions public and private are likely to make many labour market
related choices and decisions over their lifetime; hence the LMIS must be able to support this.

9 Provision for a continuous feedback, review and improvement of the system Data Migration where
necessitated & Integration with different LMISAbility to providing functionalities for conducting
entrance tests

10 Analysis and setting the parameters for an industry sector specific LMIS

4.5.9 Other Stake Holders

The other stakeholders in the success of the program include Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Director
General Employment and Training (DGET), Employment Exchanges, State Govts, National /
International Government Agencies, Micro Finance Companies, Recruiter firms etc.

As the activities intensify for NSDC and the skill development, there will be several other stake holders,
some of whom listed above may require an access or an ability to connect to the NSDC application

30
 backbone to interface with their office and exchange of information and access to reports, data etc., the
application being built will need to have capability and flexibility to talk to all of these stake holders.

Administrative Administrative
Management Management
Faculty/
Faculty/
Administrator
Administrator

Training Centers
Training Centers

Project Owners
Students Project Owners
Students

Faculty/
Faculty/
Administrator
Administrator

NSDC Skills
Development With other third party applications such as
Management System content management

Recruitment
NSDC- Primary National and Platform
PMO, Ministry of Finance International Financing
Responsibility DGET Companies
Planning Commission Government
National Skills Coord’n Board Agencies

Connect Recruiters
Micro and Candidates
Governance, Reports, Standards, Issues/challenges & Audit Financing

31
4.6 IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE
Thetotaltimelimitforthesuccessfulimplementationofthe solutionin NSDC and its associates shalln o t
be more than6monthsfromthedateofsigningthecontract,
whichwillbeexcludingthetimerequiredforapprovalsforthecritical intermediate
submissions.Timerequiredforapproval innormalcircumstances may not exceed 20 working days for
each such criticaldeliverables . (list of likely intermediaries should be submitted)

MilestonesfortheaccomplishmentofvariousstagesofNSDC projectshallbeasunder:

Activity TimelinesinWeeks Deliverables

PhaseI–DesignandImplementation

ProjectInitiation&TeamMobili T Detailingof Project Plan, Detailing

zation ofResource Profile

1. BusinessRequirements T+ 1. AS-IS processes Report and TO-BE

Analysis. processes Report

2. Application Design 2. Submission of design document

3. Prototype Creation 3. Prototype Delivery and Demonstration

– feedback to be incorporated and
4. Placementofworkorder for finalization
Procurementof
Hardware&Networking 4. Issue of W.O
5. Development T+ 6. All customizations delivered
&Customisation /
Installation and System installed and ready for testing
Configuration of or System
and Completion of Design
and Customizations of
7. Testing&UAT T+ TestCases,Test Reports,
UATSign‐offCertificate
Modules
8. Installation&testingof T+ Installation&Test Report(8 weeks from
Hardware&Networking the placement of work order)
components of application

PhaseII–Commissioning&Go Live

32
 Activity TimelinesinWeeks Deliverables

ApplicationTraining&Han T+ Training&Change Managementreport,

dholdingSupportofall Training Schedule/Plan,
themodulesmentionedin SatisfactoryTraining CompletionFeedback
GroupI,IIandIII Report

Commissioning&Go‐Live T+ Certificate of successful commissioning

Helpdesk SupportafterGo For the initial

Live subscription period
of 5Years
PhaseIII–Operation&Supportover subscription period
For the MonitoringFramework,Escalation
Operation&SupportforApplic
Reports,MIS reports withdetailsof
ation Enhancements and initialsubscription
Maintenance /Support/ Warranty
MaintenanceforHardware&N
period of 5years Activities carried out.The
etworking components.
frequencyofthese reports will be
notified later.

4.7 SERVICE LEVEL REQUIREMENTS AND PENALTIES

The proposer should be willing to offer the following Service Level Agreement (hereinafter referred to
as SLA) commitments, which shall form part of the contractual agreement. For the stated scope of work
and for the initial subscription period, the service provider shall be able to support the whole SDMS and
also the related Software, Hardware, Networking, Training for users to ensure the application uptime.
NSDC shall regularly review the performance of the services being provided by the Service Provider and
the effectiveness of this SLA.

4.7.1 Definitions

For purposes of Service Level Agreement, the definitions and terms which will also be specified in
the contract along with the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

33
a. “Uptime”shall mean the time period for which the specified services / components with specified
technical and service standards are available to NSDC and its partner institutes. Uptime, in
percentage, of any IT component can be calculated as:

Uptime % = (uptime) / (Total Time – Maintenance Time) * 100

Where, Total Time is 24 hrs as its an web based application.

b. “Downtime”shallmeanthetimeperiodforwhichthespecifiedservices/
componentswithspecifiedtechnicalandservicestandardsasperSLAsarenot availableto NSDC and user
departments.

c. “Incident”referstoanyevent/abnormalities inthefunctioningofNSDC application or

infrastructureEquipment/specifiedservicesthatmayleadtodisruptioninnormaloperationsofNSDC
servicesandrelatedinfrastructure.

d. “ResolutionTime”shallmeanthetimetaken(aftertheincidenthasbeen reported a t the concerned

reporting center), in resolving (diagnosing,
troubleshootingandfixing)orescalating(tothesecondlevelortorespectiveVendors,
gettingtheconfirmatorydetailsaboutthesamefromtheVendorandconveyingthesametotheenduser),the
servicesrelatedtroublesduringthefirstlevelescalation.Theresolutiontimeshallvarybasedontheseverit
yoftheincidentreportedatthehelpdesk.

Theseveritywouldbeasfollows:

1.
Critical:Incidentswhoseresolutionshallrequireadditionalinvestmentincomponentsortime
.Theseincidentsshallimpacttheoverallfunctioning oftheNSDCapplication.Forexamplewhich
involves, purchaseofanyadditionalhardware/networking
componentlikeroutersetc,softwarebugfixing,etc.

2. Medium: Incidents, whose resolution shall require replacement of hardware or software

parts, requiring significant interruption in working of that individual component. For example,
installation of operating system, replacement of switch, etc.

34
 3. Low:Incidentswhoseresolutionshallrequirechangesinconfigurationof
hardwareorsoftware,whichwillnotsignificantlyinterruptworkingofthatcomponent.Forexample,in
stallationofprinteronaclient,replacementofLANchordetc.

4.7.2 CategoryofSLAs

This SLA document provides for the minimum level of services required as per contractual obligations
based on performance indicators and measurementsthereof.TheService
Providershallensureprovisioningofallrequiredserviceswhilemonitoringtheperformanceofthesametoeffe
ctivelycomplywiththeperformancelevels.TheservicesprovidedbytheService
ProvidershallbereviewedbyNSDC thatshall:

• RegularlycheckperformanceoftheService Provideragainstthis SLA.

• Discussescalatedproblems,newissuesandmattersstilloutstandingfor resolution.
• Review of statistics related to rectification of outstanding faults and agreed changes.
• Robustness/ flexibility of the system to generate various reports as required by various stake
holders as NSDC, SSCs, Govt. Ministries, State Govt., DGET, associates, trainees, and other Govt,
non Govt and international bodies
• Obtainsuggestionsforchangestoimprovetheservicelevels.
• Feedback from NSDC’s associates about the level, quality and response time of support while
attending to / resolving the operational issues.
• Response time of the Service Provider to escalated issues / noticed defaults/ complaints

TheSLAshall belogicallysegregatedinthefollowingcategories:

1. ImplementationServiceLevels

2. ITInfrastructurerelatedservicelevels

3. Support Service Levels

4. Risk Mitigation – inbuilt provision

The following measurements and targets shall be used to track and report performanceon aregular
basis. Thetargets shownin thefollowing table are applicableforthedurationofthecontract.

35
4.7.3 Servicelevels

TheseSLAsshallbestrictlyenforcedandasoftwareaudit/certificationshallbecarriedoutatthesolediscretiono
fNSDC
forcertifyingtheperformanceoftheapplicationagainstthetargetperformancemetricsasoutlinedinthetableb
elow:

ServiceCategory Target Severity Penalty

Successful completion of Design, As per delivery Critical A Penaltyof 0.5% of contract valueof
Implementation and Customization of Schedule ApplicationandImplementation per
all the modules mentioned in the RFP delayedweek and subject to a maximum of 5%
as per the delivery schedule of contract value of
Application&Implementation Value.

Commissioning & ‐ GoLive of As per delivery Critical A Penalty of 0.5% of contract value of
Hardware and Networking Equipment Schedule Application Development perdelayed week and
subject to a maximum of5% of hardware and
networking equipments value

Operation, Support and Management Service Provider Critical 5% penalty on the support fee for that quarter
of SDMS application is required to if the down time goes below 98.5%. Incase
maintain up below 95% it would be 20%
time of98.5% in
a quarter.

Related hardware / networking Service Provider Critical 5% penalty on the support fee for that quarter
components. Availability (including is required to if the down time goes below 99% and 10%
the OS and the database provided by maintain up penalty if the downtime goes below 96%
the Service ) time of99.0% in
a quarter.

4.7.4 Prompt Service:

Service provider shall be responsible for maintaining the desired performance and availability of the
system/services/ manpower. Service provider should ensure prompt service support during Service
period.

36
 SECTION 5. INSTRUCTIONS TO PROPOSERS
5.1 Definitions Used
5.1.1 “Agreement” means the Agreement to be signed between the successful Proposer and
NSDC,including all attachments, appendices, all documents incorporated by reference together
withany subsequent modifications, the RFP, the proposal offer, the acceptance and all
relatedcorrespondences, clarifications, presentations.

5.1.2 “Authorized Representative” shall mean any person authorized by either of the parties.

5.1.3 “Proposer / Vendor / Proposer” means any firm or group of firms (called consortium)
offeringthe solution(s), service(s) and /or materials as required in the RFP. The word Proposer/
vendorwhen used in the pre-award period shall be synonymous with parties proposing for this RFP,
andwhen used after award of the Contract shall mean the successful party with whom NSDC signs
the agreement for rendering of services for implementation of this project.

5.1.4 “Contract” is used synonymously with Agreement.

5.1.5 “Default Notice” shall mean the written notice of Default of the Agreement issued by oneParty to
the other in terms hereof.

5.1.6 “Law” shall mean any Act, notification, bylaws, rules and regulations, directive, ordinance,order
or instruction having the force of law enacted or issued by the Central Government and/or any other
Government or regulatory authority.

5.1.7 “LoI” means Letter of Intent, which shall constitute the intention of NSDC to placethe Purchase
Order with the successful Proposer.

5.1.8 “Party” means the NSDC or Proposer, individually and “Parties” mean the NSDC and
Proposer,collectively.

5.1.9 “Proposal / proposal” means the Technical and Financial proposals all together, i.e., complete
proposalfor the implementation of scope of work as mentioned hereinabove

37
5.1.10 “Request for Proposal (RFP)” means this document and its annexure, forms, enclosures etc etc.,
seeking a set ofsolution(s), services(s) and/or any combination of them.

5.1.11 “Requirements” shall mean and include schedules, details, description, statement of
technicaldata, performance characteristics and standards (Indian & International) as applicable
andspecified in the RFP.

5.1.12 “Termination Notice” means the written notice of termination of the Agreement issued by
oneParty to the other in terms hereof.

5.2 PROPOSER ENQUIRIES &NSDC RESPONSE

A prospective Proposer requiring any clarification of the RFP documents shall notify the NSDC inwriting,
either by post, fax or email before 1500 hrs, of 7th January 2011 at the following address:

National Skill Development Corporation

D-4, Clarion Collection, (Qutab Hotel)
ShaheedJeet Singh Marg
New Delhi 11 0 016
Tel: 011 46 56 0414 Fax: 011 4656 0417
Email: proposal@nsdcindia.org

NSDC will respond to the queries at the earliest but not later than 14th January, 2011

5.3 PRE- PROPOSAL CONFERENCE

It is proposed to schedule a pre proposal conference at 1500 hrs, January 4th 2011. The Proposers are
requested to attend this pre- proposal conference to seek clarifications in matters related to the project
or the proposal process of this project. The reply to the queries of various Proposers in the pre-
proposal conference would be put up on the NSDC website (http://www.nsdcindia.org). Such
corrigendum, if issued, would form part of this RFP and the Proposers would be advised to prepare
their technical and financial proposals in accordance with such corrigendum.

38
The pre proposal conference shall be held at the Office of CEO& MD of NSDC at D4-Clarion Collection,
Qutub Institutional Area, New Delhi. Only those Proposers, who have intimated NSDC about their
participation in pre proposal conference, will be allowed to attend the pre proposal conference.
However, non-attendance at the pre- proposal conference will not be a cause for disqualification of a
Proposer. Queries received after the set time limit shall not be addressed in the pre proposal conference
or any later stage.

5.4 VENUE & DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL

The proposals duly completed as per the instructions given in this document and the amendments
issuedif any, shall be submitted to the following address on or before the last date of proposal
submission.

National Skill Development Corporation

D-4, Clarion Collection, (Qutab Hotel)
ShaheedJeet Singh Marg
New Delhi 11 0 016
Tel: 011 46 56 0414 Fax: 011 4656 0417
Email: proposal @nsdcindia.org
Proposals must be received by NSDC at the address specified above on any working day from 10:30a.m.
to 5:00 p.m. and not later than 1500 hrs, 21stJanuary’2011. The NSDC may, in exceptionalcircumstances
and at his discretion, extend the deadline for submission of Proposals by issuing aCorrigendum or by
intimating all Proposers who have purchased the RFP document, in writing bypost or email. In this case,
all rights and obligations of the NSDC and the vendors previously subjectto the original deadline will
thereafter be subject to the deadline as extended.

5.5 PROPOSALPREPARATION COST

The Proposer shall bear all costs associated with the preparation and submission of its proposal, and
NSDC will in no case be responsible or liable for those costs, regardless of the conduct oroutcome of the
proposal process.

5.6 RIGHT TO TERMINATION/CANCELLATION

39
Notwithstanding anything contained in this document, NSDC, reserves the rightto cancel/terminate the
proposal process without assigning any reason whatsoever, at any time prior to signingthe contract and
NSDC shall have no liability for above-mentioned actions.

5.7 CORRUPT OR FRAUDULENT PRACTICE

In the event of the Proposer engaging in any corrupt or fraudulent practices during the
proposalprocess, as per the judgment of NSDC, the proposalwill be rejected. Any decision in thisregard
will be final and binding on the Proposer.

For the purpose of this clause: “Corrupt Practice” means the offering, giving, receiving or solicitingof
anything of value to influence the action of NSDC in the selection process. It also includesbringing undue
influence through any quarter or interfering directly or indirectly in the selectionprocess to affect its
outcome.

“Fraudulent Practice” means a misrepresentation of facts in order to influence selection process tothe
detriment of NSDC.

5.8 LATE PROPOSALS

Any proposal received by NSDC after the deadline for submission of proposals prescribed in RFP will be
summarily rejected andwill be returned unopened to the Proposer.

5.9 PROPOSAL OPENING

Total transparency will be observed while opening of proposals. Sealed proposal envelopes will
beopened on 1600 hrs on 24th January. Technical proposal envelope will be opened and verified
forcompleteness. The opening of financial proposalwill be intimated later to the successful Proposers.

NSDC reserves the right at all times to postpone or cancel a scheduled RFP opening.

The venue for the opening of proposalis:

National Skill Development Corporation

D-4, Clarion Collection, (Qutab Hotel)
ShaheedJeet Singh Marg
New Delhi 11 0 016
Tel: 011 46 56 0414 Fax: 011 4656 0417

5.10 GENERAL TERMS OF PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

40
5.10.1 The Proposer must use the entire information furnished in the RFP includingscope, detailed
requirements of architecture of application, hardware,functional and technical specifications, other
annexure, forms, enclosures etc and other terms andconditions, bill of materials while submitting
the response.

5.10.2 All responses should be in English language. All responses by the Proposers tothis RFP
document shall be binding on such Proposers.

5.10.3 All responses including commercial and technical proposals would be deemed tobe irrevocable
offers / proposals from the Proposers and may, if accepted byNSDC, form part of the final contract
between NSDC and Proposer.

5.10.4 Proposers are advised to attach a letter from an authorized signatory attestingthe veracity of the
information provided in the response.

5.10.5 Any technical or commercial proposal submitted cannot be withdrawn / modifiedafter

theclosing date and time for submission of the proposal offers unlessspecifically permitted by NSDC.

5.10.6. Each offer should specify only a single solution which is cost effective andmeeting the tender
specifications and it is the responsibility of the Proposer todecide the best of breed solution.

5.10.7. In the event the Proposer has not quoted for any mandatory or optional items asrequired by
NSDC and forming a part of the RFP document circulated to the Proposers and responded to by the
Proposers, the same shall be deemed to beprovided by the Proposer at no extra cost to NSDC.

5.10.8. NSDC concludes that everything as mentioned in the RFP documentscirculated to the Proposers
and responded by the Proposers have been quoted forby the Proposers and there shall be no extra
cost associated with the same otherthan the cost quoted by the Proposer.

5.10.9. In the event, NSDC has not asked for the quotes for alternative prices and the Proposer furnishes
the alternative quotes in the Proposer’s financial proposals, thehigher of the quotes shall be taken
for evaluation purposes. However,payment by NSDC shall be made for the lowest quote.

41
5.10.10 The Proposer at no point of time can excuse themselves from any claims by NSDC whatsoever
for their deviations in conforming to the terms andconditions, payment schedules, timeframe for
implementation etc. asmentioned in RFP documents.

5.10.11 By submitting a proposal, the Proposer agrees to promptly contract with NSDC for any work
awarded to the Proposer.

5.10.12 This RFP or clarifications or writings issued pursuant thereto shall not beconstrued as an
obligation on the part of NSDC to award a purchase contractfor any services or combination of
services.

5.10.13 NSDC reserves the right to reject any or all proposals in full without assigning anyreason
whatsoever.

5.10.14 The Proposer has to adhere to the time schedule of activities mentioned in theRFP and no
request to change the last date or extend period / time forsubmission shall be entertained by NSDC.
However, NSDC reserves its right toextend the date/time for submission of the responses without
assigning anyreason by notifying in the Website / displayed on the Notice Board.

5.10.15. Any additional or different terms and conditions proposed by the Proposerwould be
rejected unless expressly assented to, in writing by NSDC.

5.10.16 The offers containing erasers or alterations shall not be considered. Thereshould be no hand-
written material, corrections or alterations in the offer.Correct / proper technical information of the
product being offered must befilled in.

5.10.17 The response to the proposal should not carry any sections like ‘Clarifications’,‘As orally told’, ‘to
be discussed’, ‘interpretations’, ‘assumptions’ etc.

5.10.18 To assist in the scrutiny, evaluation and comparison of offers, NSDC may, atits discretion, ask any
of Proposers for clarifications to their offer.

5.10.19 NSDC reserves the right to separate the scope of hardware supply andany other licenses from
the total contract and procure the same itself.

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5.11 PREPARATION OF PROPOSAL

The Proposer has to submit its response to the proposal in:

• Technical proposal form indicating the response to the technical andfunctional requirement
specificationsalong with Commercial proposal form furnishing all the relevant information.

• The Proposer has to submit his response inhardcopy and softcopy in a file format compatible
with Microsoft Office.

• The proposalmust be submitted in English Language, as per this RFP.

5.12 PROPOSAL FORMAT

5.12.1 The Proposer’s proposal should effectively communicate their solution and bepresented in the
specified formats for NSDC to assess alternatives. The proposalshould contain an
ExecutiveSummary.

5.12.2 The Proposer needs to provide an undertaking on the veracity of soft copy submittedwith the
Hard copy.

5.12.3 The Executive Summary should provide an overview of the Proposer’s organization, Proposer’s
products and services provided as part of the procurement. A briefdescription of the unique
qualifications of the Proposer should then be providedfollowed by a summary on capabilities and
past experience in implementing suchprojects.

5.12.4 The proposal should explain in detail with regard to the consortium vendors in casethe offer is a
consortium proposal. A summary of the activities of each vendor and therelevant expertise is to be
enclosed as a part of the Technical.

5.12.5 The Proposer needs to follow the terms and conditions envisaged in the RFP and should submit
an undertaking to the said effect as per theformat in FORM I.

5.12.6 The Principal Proposer, on behalf of all the Proposers forming the consortium need toprovide a
confirmation of a proposal by the Terms and conditions envisaged in this RFPand shouldprovide an
undertaking to the said effect individually as perFORM I.

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5.13 TECHNICAL PROPOSAL
5.13.1 Against each of the technical / functional requirements, Proposer’s response is required to be
notedfor each of the sections as described under specific sections. The details as required should be
specifically mentioned and presented in the manner as per FORM III hereinbelow.

5.13.2 The Proposer must provide his response to technical requirements in MS Word-2000/3format in
a structured and neat form.

5.13.3 Under no circumstances, the Proposer while giving their response should change
theinformation furnished by NSDC under Technical, Functional and other requirements inany of the
columns.

5.13.4 The commercial proposal should not contradict or deviate from the technical proposal in
anymanner.

5.14 COMMERCIAL PROPOSAL

5.14.1 The commercial proposal should be enclosed in a separate sealed envelope. The Schedule of
Pricesshould be presented and mentioned as per FORM IV herein below.

5.14.2 All costs should be inclusive of all taxes, duties, charges and levies of State or
CentralGovernments, as applicable, at the date of signing the Agreement and subject todeduction of
allstatutory deductions applicable, if any. The benefits realized by Proposer due to lower rates of
taxes, duties, charges and levies shall be passed on by Proposer to NSDC.

5.14.3 The Proposer has to include all costs like Travel, Lodging & Boarding, Local Travelexpenses, etc
incurred during the implementation as a part of the Bill of Materials andNSDC will not bear any
additional costs on these.

5.14.4 The prices quoted by the Proposers shall include all costs such as Taxes, Excise,Service Tax,
Custom Duties, VAT, Levies, Cess, Installation, Insurance, etc. that need to beincurred.

5.14.5 The prices quoted shall include transportation to the respective sites and insurance
tillcompletion of the acceptance process by NSDC. The prices should include the chargespayable for

44
 carrying out any modification, changes / upgrades to the “ Skill Development Management System”
solution or other equipment / software that is required to bemade in order to comply with any
statutory or regulatory requirements.

5.14.6 In case of any downward revision in Government levies, taxes, VAT,cess,excise, service tax,
custom duty etc. after the submission of the price proposal and up to the dateof invoice, the benefit
of the same shall be passed on or adjusted to NSDC.

5.14.7 Terms of payment indicated in the RFP shall be final and binding on the Proposer andno
alternate terms and conditions proposed in the Proposal shall be considered.

5.14.8 The Proposermust also furnish separately in the commercial proposal the recurring /
revenueexpenditure, if any.

5.14.9 For arriving at the total cost of the Solution, the Proposer should include costs forFacility
Management and Maintenance in the Bill of Materials for a period of 5years excluding 5 year
warranty period.

5.14.10 A detailed cost that includes initial deployment and ongoing support and approach to pricing for
enhancement and relative costs should be provided in proposal. Following should also be included
in proposal price:

a. Deployment of the application tools to support administrative management, tracking of

effectiveness of the skill development initiative, and placement of students. The application
should enable strong governance architecture.

b. Management of ongoing upgrades to the application in line with changing needs

c. Fee structure should include the costs that will apply to NSDC, project owner and training
centers, students, faculty etc

d. Placement modules and charges for the same.

e. Details of costs that may have to be borne by the different stakeholder groups need to be
provided by Proposer.

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SECTION 6. PROPOSAL EVALUATION
6.1 EVALUATION COMMITTEE(S)
The Evaluation Committee(s) constituted by NSDC shall evaluate the technical and financialproposals.
The Committee(s) may choose to conduct negotiation or discussion with Proposers as per the
procedures of NSDC. The decisions of the Evaluation Committee(s) inthe evaluation of Technical and
Financial proposals shall be final. No correspondence will be entertainedoutside the process of
negotiation / discussion with the Committee(s).

6.2 PROPOSALOPENING AND EVALUATION

The evaluation of the proposals will be carried out in following stages:

6.2.1 Technical evaluation:

The Proposer shall be examined prima facie to substantiate the compliancewith the Proposer’s
eligibility criteria as set out for this project in terms of organizational, financialand technical experience
etc. The proposal will be rejected, in case it does not meet the prequalification criteria. The next stage of
the evaluation will be an assessment of the technical proposal.Based on the short-listing of the pre-
qualified Proposers, the Committee will proceed to a detailedevaluation of the Technical proposals of
such pre-qualified Proposers in order to determine whetherthey are substantially responsive to the
requirements set forth in the RFP. Inorder to reach such a determination, NSDC will examine the
information supplied by the Proposers, and shall evaluate the same as per the evaluation criteria
specified in this RFP.

The Technical proposal Opening Committee will open all the parts of Technical Proposals, in
thepresence of Proposers’ designated representatives who choose to attend, at the time, date,
andlocation, to be intimated by NSDC.

NSDC shall review the submitted proposaland a proposalshall be rejected at thisstage if it does not
respond to important aspects of the RFP or if it fails to comply with thetechnical requirements.

Proposalmay be rejected at any stage of the evaluation if it is found that the company hasprovided
misleading information or has been black-listed by a central or any stategovernment or has indulged in
any malpractice/ unethical practice and has not honoredcontractual obligation elsewhere.

46
The Proposers would/may be asked to make presentation on technical and operational aspect of
theproposal.

After the technical evaluation is completed and approved, NSDC shall inform the Proposers who have
submitted proposals, the detailed compliance of their Technicalproposals and shall notify those
Proposers whose Proposals did not meet the minimumtechnical criterion or were considered non-
responsive to the RFP and Scope of Work, thattheir Financial Proposals will be returned unopened after
completing the evaluation process.

NSDC shall simultaneously notify in writing to the Proposers that have complied with the Technical
criterion specified in the RFP the date, time and location for reviewing theFinancial Proposals.

A conditional proposal will not be entertained under any circumstances.

6.2.2 Financial evaluation:

Based on the results of the technical evaluation, duly constituted financialevaluation committee will then
proceed to open and evaluate the financial proposalof thetechnically acceptableProposers. The financial
evaluation will take into account the informationsupplied by theProposers in their financial
proposal.The Proposershould furnish detailed break up of costs.

6.2.2.1 Substantially responsive proposal: A substantially responsive proposal is one, which

conforms to therequirements, terms, conditions and specifications of the RFP withoutmaterial
deviation. A material deviation is one which affects in any substantial way thefunctionality, scope,
quality, or performance of the Deliverables, or which limits in anysubstantial way, inconsistent with
the RFP, NSDC’s rights or the Proposer’s obligations for, performance of the Project and the
rectification of which deviationwould affect unfairly the competitive position of other Proposers
presenting substantiallyresponsive proposals.

6.2.2.2 Technical Evaluation:Technical evaluation committee may recommend waiver of any minor
informality or nonconformityor irregularity in a proposal, which does not constitute a material
deviation,provided such a waiver does not prejudice or affect the relative ranking of any Proposer.

6.3 CONFIDENTIALITY OF PROCESS

Information relating to the examination, clarification, evaluation and comparison of proposals,
andrecommendations for the award of the Project shall not be disclosed to Proposers or any

47
otherpersons not officially concerned with such process until the award to the successfulProposer has
beenannounced.

6.4 CLARIFICATIONS OF PROPOSALS

To assist in the examination, evaluations, and comparison of proposals, the Committee may, at
itsdiscretion, ask any Proposer for clarification of its proposal submissions. The request for clarification
and theresponse shall be in writing by post or email or by facsimile, but no change in the price
orsubstance of the Proposal shall be sought, offered, or permitted except as required to
confirmthecorrection of arithmetic errors discovered by the committee in the evaluation of the
proposals.

6.5 INITIAL EXAMINATION OF PROPOSALS

Prior to the detailed evaluation of proposals, the committee and/or its nominees will determinewhether
the proposalhas been properly signed;and/or it has not beenproperly signed and/or there is a
discrepancy between the items on the checklist and the actualdocuments/material submitted etc. The
Evaluation committee reserves its right to declare such proposals as invalid.

6.6 CORRECTIONS OF ERRORS

Proposers are advised to exercise greatest care in entering the pricing figures. No requests
regardingcorrection of mistakes in the financial proposals will be entertained after the quotations are
opened. Allcorrections like cutting or overwriting etc., if any, should be initialed by the person signing
thetender form before submission, failing which the figures for such items may not be considered.

Arithmetic errors in proposals will be corrected as follows:

• Where there is a discrepancy between the amounts in figures and in words, the amount
inwords shall govern.
• Where there is a discrepancy between the unit rate and the line item total resulting
frommultiplying the unit rate by the quantity, the unit rate will govern unless, in the
opinioncommittee, there is obviously a gross error such as a misplacement of a decimal
point, inwhich case the line item total will governor whichever is logically correct and
lower.
• Where there is a discrepancy between the amount mentioned in the proposal and the
line itemtotal present in the Schedule of Prices, the amount obtained on totaling the line
items in theBill of Materials will govern.
• The amount stated in the proposal, adjusted in accordance with the above procedure,
shallbe considered as binding, unless it causes the overall tender price to rise, in which
case the proposal price shall govern.

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6.7 TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERIONS
Technical proposals shall be evaluated for only those Proposers who meet the pre-qualificationcriterion.
The Evaluation Committee will evaluate the technical proposals on the basis of thetechnical evaluation
criterion as provided below.

At the option of NSDC, the Proposers qualifying the technical evaluation may be invited to
makepresentation on technical and operations aspect of the Scope of Work. Subsequently, in case of
anychange in Scope of Work etc., the Proposers qualifying the technical evaluation may be allowed
tosubmit their revised Financialproposals within 2 days (48hours) of formal notification of the same.

During the technical evaluation, the responses provided in technical proposal will be evaluated outof 40
marks. The Proposer will have to score at least 60 marks on the overall technical score of 100 to be
declared as technicallyqualified. Any proposalachieving a Technical Score less than 60 will be treated as
“NotTechnically Qualifying the Requirements” and will not be considered for further evaluation of
thefinancial proposals. The following evaluation parameters shall be used for defining the Evaluation
criterion for Proposers:

S. Particulars Max
No Marks
1 The Proposer/ Proposer Consortium experience in providing web based 15
application and deployment of solution in the education and vocational skill
development space in India/abroad. And its potential in developing Web Based
Integrated skill training, Administration and MIS systems to NSDC and its Partners

2 Quality of Solution offered and the time required for the solution to be 10
implemented is a key requirement

3 Approach and methodology, project implementation and management 10

methodology must be defined / indicated in the proposal.
Highlight in your response your commitment to transformation of the vocational
training framework and a partnership driven approach/governance framework

4 Compliance with the scope of work indicated in the RFP without exclusion 10
5 Solution Design and architecture of the web based SaaS model solution 10
1. Scalability
a. Robustness of the software

49
 S. Particulars Max
No Marks
b. Simplicity of implementation

2. Approach to addressing the needs of multiple stakeholders

3. Pricing innovation- reducing costs to stakeholders and creation of self-
sustaining model for revenue generation and deployment of these funds for
enhancements
4. Approach to ongoingaddition of centers and other stake holders and
support

6 Project execution team including 20

a) Profile of the each of the key leadership team member

b) Demonstrated experience in education / skill development space
Each CV will be evaluated on the basis of the following parameters. Percentage
credit for the parameter is provided in parentheses.
• Academic qualifications – degrees and academic institutes (5%)
• Years of total experience (40%), highlight in your response your
experience in new age industries
• Provide proof of working application for at least 6 months (30%)

• Strong knowledge of the skill industry (25%)

7 Understanding of the Skill Domain space 10
8 Technical Presentation and Demonstration of the short listed 15
100

THE SOLUTION PROVIDER WILL BE SELECTED BASED ON EVALUATION OF TECHNICAL &FINANCIAL

PROPOSALS, PREVIOUS TRACK RECORD ETC.

6.8 FINANCIAL EVALUATION CRITERIONS

The Proposer having lowest overall financial quote will be given high priority while the evaluation
committee (s) may choose to conduct negotiation or discussion with any or all the Proposers as
deemed fit by NSDC.

The prices, once offered, must remain firm and must not be subject to escalation for any
reasonwhatsoever within the period of validity of the proposaland subsequent contract, if any.

50
 SECTION 7. TERMS AND CONDITIONS
7.1 CONTRACT DOCUMENTS
The Proposer shall not, without prior written consent from NSDC, disclose the Contract or anyprovision
thereof or any specification, plan, drawing, pattern, sample or information furnished byor on behalf of
NSDC in connection therewith, to any person other than a person employed bythe Proposer in the
performance of the Contract. Disclosure to any such employed person shallbe made in confidence and
shall extend only so far, as may be necessary for purposes of suchperformance.

The Proposer shall not, without prior written consent of NSDC, make use of any document
orinformation made available for the project, except for purposes of performing the Contract.

All project related documents issued by NSDC, other than the Contract itself, shall remain theproperty of
NSDC and shall be returned (in all copies) to NSDC, on completion of the Proposer’s performance under
the Contract if so required by NSDC.

7.2 INTERPRETATION
In case of any ambiguity in the interpretation of any of the clauses in the tender document,
theinterpretation of the clauses by Authorized Representative of NSDC shall be final and binding onall
parties.

7.3 COMMUNICATIONS
Wherever Conditions provide for the giving or issuing of approvals, certificates,
consents,determinations, notices, requests and discharges, these communications shall be:

(a) in writing and delivered against receipt; and

(b) delivered, sent or transmitted to the address for the recipient’s communications asstated in the
Contract.

7.4 LANGUAGE
The proposal and all correspondence and documents related to the proposalexchanged by theProposer
and NSDC should be in English. Supporting documents and printed literaturefurnished by the Proposer

51
may be in any language other than English provided they areaccompaniedby an accurate translation of
the relevant passages in English language. Supporting material, whichis not translated in English, will
not be considered for evaluation. For the purpose of evaluationand interpretation of the proposal, the
English language translation shall prevail.

7.5 TIME FOR COMMENCEMENT AND COMPLETION

The Proposer shall commence work on the Facilities within the period specified and withoutprejudice,
the Proposer shall thereafter proceed in accordance with the time schedule specified inthe
Implementation Schedule and any refinements made in the agreed and finalized Project Plan.

The Proposer shall attain completion of the project or of a part where a separate time forcompletion of
such part is specified in the Contract, within the time stated or within such extendedtime to which the
Proposer shall be entitled.

Deemed fit by NSDC, at mutually negotiated pricing, itmay opt to extend the subscription to the SaaS
application for additional term upon completion of the initial 5 year period subscription.

7.6 PROPOSER’S ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Proposer will be responsible for:

 Preparation of Detailed Project Plan in line with the overall plan provided in the RFP.
Thesame should be prepared in consultation with NSDC.

 Site preparation at NSDC Head Office, district and other field offices.

 Seek approval from NSDC’s Project Implementation team on Application Design

 Seek Approval on Prototypes from NSDC’s Project Implementation team

 Share Unit, String and Application Test cases with NSDC’s Project Implementation team

 Share test results at each stage with Project Implementation team

 Handover the application for UAT to Project Implementation team only when it has been
thoroughly tested and has less than 5% overall failures of non-critical nature on its
submitted test cases and NSDC’s business test cases Procure, install, commission, operate

52
 and maintain requisite hardware & system software asper the requirements mentioned
in this RFP.

 Addressing technology obsolescence by appropriate up-gradation, replacement

and/orreplenishment of Hardware deployed at various locations.

 Insurance cover for the entire hardware infrastructure deployed at various locations for
theentire duration of the contract against vandalism, theft, fire and lightening.

 Keep all system software at Data Center and other locations, up to date by installing
regularupgrades / patches.

 Rectification of system software problems due to crashing or malfunctioning of

theOperating System within the time limits to meet the SLAs.

 Facility Management including management of infrastructure, utilities, ensuring safety

andsecurity of equipment, resources, data etc at various locations during the contract
period.

 Provide infrastructure & manpower as necessitated at various locations and provide

training and technicalsupport to NSDC.

 Deployment of requisite resources for managing all the operations at various locations
(likeData Center, Helpdesk) and a dedicated team for the project.

 Deployment of Application and upgrades / patches at Data Center & relatedagencies

offices.

 Generation of MIS reports as per the requirements of NSDC or related agencies etc.

 Ensuring the SLAs for downtime of system, delivery of various services, errors in
dataentry, etc., as defined in details in the RFP, are met.

 Training and assistance to the staff members of NSDC and related agencies for using the
data etc as prescribed under the Scope of Work hereinabove.

 Management and quality control of all services and infrastructure.

 Any other services which is required for the successful execution of the Project.

 Regular Backup as per the policy.

53
  Report all the problems related to the Software and Hardware to NSDC.

7.7 EMPLOYER’S (AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS)ROLES AND

RESPONSIBILITIES
It will be the responsibility of NSDC:

 To create a dedicated team for overall supervisory and co-ordination for the project
including data supply, data verification, data analysis, MIS, etc.

 Provide User Team for Systems Requirement Study

 Approval/Acceptance of Requirement Specifications

 Approval / Acceptance of Prototypes

 Procuring Sandbox for development

 Submission of Business Test Cases

 Resources for UAT.

 To monitor detailed SLAs and defined policies

 To provide data for migration

 To monitor detailed SLAs and defined policies

 To suggest and approve plan/ schedule survey camps for data capturing i.e. data
verification etc.

 To providing adequate support for data authentication/modification & smooth execution

of the survey camps.

 To compile the feedback on application modules received from various users.

 Freezing of change requests/additions/modification of application software.

 To monitor the maintenance of proper records for inventory, receipt of infrastructureetc.

 To monitor the feedback from the citizens, public & other stakeholders

 To monitor computation of penalties, release of payments.

54
  Verification of data digitization

7.8 TERMS OF PAYMENT

7.8.1 NSDC shall follow the payment schedule as given in Form III and also the proposer should quote
in line with the terms of payment and payment schedule in form III

7.8.2 NSDC representative or its nominated committee shall certify actual implementation. The
Service Provider must provide support upto initial subscription of five years and after completion of
five years unless extended for another term, the Service Provider has to ensure proper hand‐holding
of the system to any new parties that NSDC may contract with.

7.8.3 The Service Provider’s request(s) for payment shall be made to NSDC in writing, accompanied
by an invoice describing, as appropriate, the service provided. The Service Provider will define the
services performed and substantiate with documents the fulfillment of obligations as stipulated in
the Contract.

7.8.4 Payments shall be made promptly by NSDC after submission of the invoice or claim by the
Service Provider and upon verification and certification by the concerned official.

7.8.5 Payments shall be made in Indian Rupees/ INR.

7.8.5 Prices:

7.8.5.1 Amount payable to the Service Provider as stated in the Contract shall remain non-
negotiable and fixed during the tenure of the Contract.

7.8.5.2 The prices quoted shall not be conditional /optional and it should be in line with the
technology andapproach presented during the Approach & Methodology Presentation by the
Service Provider before the Committee and in compliance with RFP and all corrigendum
uploaded on website. The Proposer shall not submit conditional/optional proposals.
Conditional/optional proposals are liable to be out rightly rejected.

7.9 TAXES AND DUTIES

55
For all services supplied, the Proposer shall be entirely responsible for all taxes, duties, licensefees, etc.,
incurred until delivery of the contracted products or services to the Employer.If any rates of Tax are
increased or decreased, a new Tax is introduced, an existing Tax is abolished,or any change in
interpretation or application of any Tax occurs in the course of the performanceof Contract, which was
or will be assessed on the Proposer or its employees in connection withperformance of the Contract, an
adjustment as per the terms of this RFP shall be applicable and Contract Price shall be made to take into
account any such change in such manner as prescribed herein the RFP.

7.10 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (IPR)

7.10.1 During the Subscription phase, the responsibility to maintain the IPR of the Application(s)
providedby the selected Proposer would lie with the selected Proposer and the Proposer will
transferthe IPR to NSDC or its nominated agency during the Transfer stage, which could be post the
subscription period or an extended subscription period. Following conditions apply:

7.10.2 Ownership and Title: Title to the software, any enhancements, point updates and
documentation,including ownership rights to patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets
therein shall bethe exclusive property of NSDC.

7.10.3 Reverse Engineering: The operator shall not reverse engineer any minor,major enhancementor
point update.

7.10.4 Confidentiality: The Proposer hereby acknowledges that the minor enhancements,
pointupdates, and documentation may contain information that may be trade secret and
proprietaryto NSDC. The Proposer hereby agrees not to disclose such information except to
personsand organizations expressly authorized by NSDC to receive such information. The Proposer
shall not remove or alter any copyright notices or proprietary legends affixed by NSDC to such minor
enhancements, point updates or documentation.

7.10.5 Copies: The Proposer shall make available to NSDC an additional copy of the
minorenhancements, point updates and documentation for back-up use on the computer.

7.10.6 Limitation of Damages: The Proposer shall not be liable for any failure to perform itsservices
because of circumstances beyond the control of Proposer, where such circumstancesshall include

56
 (without limitation) natural disaster, terrorism, labor disputes, war, declarationsofgovernments,
transportation delays, and misuse of the Software by NSDC.

7.10.7 NSDC requires retaining IPR, for all proposed applications (packages and custom-
madedevelopments) in the following manner:

• A copy of the application with current source code (and the means of compiling that code)

• A copy of all applications and all versions of source code (and the means of compiling thatcode)

• A copy of the source code for each application upgrade acquired (and the means ofcompiling that
code)

• Copies of the current and upgrade design documents or technical documents that can beused by
IT staff in supporting the applications or in making modifications to existing code.

• Any other artifacts created for/during the assignment

7.10.8 WARRANTY/ INDEMNITY:

The Proposer hereby represents and warrants that (i) the Services/Products as supplied, installed,
tested and accepted; (ii) use of the Services/Products in accordance with the Contract; and (iii) copying
of the Software and Documentation provided to the Employer in accordance withthe Contractdo not and
will not infringe any Intellectual Property Rights held by any third party and that it hasall necessary
rights or at its sole expense shall have secured in writing all transfers of rights andother consents
necessary to make the assignments, licenses, and other transfers of IntellectualProperty Rights and the
warranties set forth in the Contract, and for the Employer to own orexercise all Intellectual Property
Rights as provided in the Contract. Without limitation, the Proposer shall secure all necessary written
agreements, consents, and transfers of rights from itsemployees and other persons or entities whose
services are used for Project execution.

7.11 SOFTWARE SERVICES AND LICENSE AGREEMENTS

57
The licenses of all software(s) to be deployed as part of the project would be in the name of NSDC and
the original copy of the same shall be deposited by the successful Proposer at the office of NSDC after
signing of the contract and before the installation of the software at any of the sites.

7.12 CONFIDENTIALINFORMATION
The Employer/NSDC (“the Disclosing Party”) and the Proposer/ Proposer (“the Receiving Party”) shall
keepconfidential and shall not, without the written consent of the other Party hereto, divulge to anythird
Party any documents, data or other information furnished directly or indirectly by theotherParty hereto
in connection with the Contract (Confidential Information), whether such informationhas been
furnished prior to, during or following termination of the Contract.

The Proposer is deemed to be the Receiving Party of Confidential Information generated by the
Proposer itself in the course of the performance of its obligations under the Contract and relatingto the
businesses, finances, Proposers, employees, or other contracts of the Employer.

The Employer shall not, without the Proposer’s prior written consent, use any ConfidentialInformation
received from the Proposer for any purpose other than the operation andmaintenance of the project.
Similarly, the Proposer shall not, without the Employer’s priorwritten consent, use any Confidential
Information received from the Employer for any purposeother than those that are required for the
performance of the Contract.

7.13 AUTHORISEDREPRESENTATIVES

7.13.1 Employer’s Representative

The Employer/NSDC shall appoint and notify the Proposer/ Proposer in writing the name of the
Competent Authority /Officer. The Employer may from time to timeappoint some other person as the
Competent Authority /Officer in place of the person previously so appointedand shall give a notice of the
name of such other person to the Proposer without delay. No suchappointment shall be made at such a
time or in such a manner as to impede the progress of workon the Facilities. Such appointment shall
only take effect upon receipt of such notice by the Proposer.

58
The Competent Authority /Officer shall represent and act for the Employer at all times during
theperformance of the Contract. All notices, instructions, orders, certificates, approvals and all
othercommunications under the Contract shall be given by the Competent Authority /Officer, except as
herein otherwiseprovided.

All notices, instructions, information and other communications given by the Proposer to theEmployer
under the Contract shall be given to the Competent Authority /Officer, except as herein
otherwiseprovided.

7.13.2 Proposer’s Representative

If the Proposer’s Representative is not named, the Proposer shall appoint the
Proposer’sRepresentative and shall request the Employer in writing to approve the person so appointed.
Therequest must be accompanied by detailed curriculum vitae for the nominee, as well as description
ofany other responsibilities the nominee would retain while performing the duties of the
Proposer’sRepresentative. If the Employer does not object to the appointment,
theProposer’sRepresentative shall be deemed to have been approved. If the Employer objects to
theappointment giving the reason therefore, then the Proposer shall appoint a replacement of
suchobjection.

7.13.3 Objections and Removals

The Employer may by notice to the Proposer object to any representative or person employed bythe
Proposer in the execution of the Contract who, in the reasonable opinion of the Employer,may have
behaved inappropriately, be incompetent, or be negligent. The Employer shall provideevidence of the
same, whereupon the Proposer shall remove such person from work.

7.14 PROJECT PLANNING AND PERFORMANCE

7.14.1 The agreed and finalized Project Plan will be prepared by the Proposer and approved by
the Employer/ NSDC.If required, the impact on the Implementation Schedule of
modifications agreed during finalizationof the agreed and finalized Project Plan shall be
incorporated in the Contract by amendment.
7.14.2 Proposer shall undertake to supply, install, test, and commission the Services in
accordance withthe agreed and finalized Project Plan.

59
 7.14.3 The progress report and other reports shall be prepared by the Proposer and submitted
to the Employer in the format and frequency specified.
7.14.4 If at any time the Proposer’s actual progress falls behind the project schedule described
in theagreed and finalized Project Plan, or it becomes apparent that it will so fall behind, the
Proposershall, at the request of the Employer’sCompetent Authority /Officer, prepare and
submit to the Competent Authority /Officer,a revised project schedule, taking into account
the prevailing circumstances, and shall notify the Competent Authority /Officer of the steps
being taken to expedite progress so as to attain completion of thefacilities within the stated
time for completion.
7.14.5 NSDC, as per rules, through its officials can undertake audit of the information
providedby the vendor at any point of time. The vendor must provide support and access to
the data and itsoffices meant for the project. In case of any dispute, NSDC’s decision will be
final and bindingon the vendor.
7.14.6 In case NSDC through audit or otherwise finds that the vendor has
purposefullycommitted any irregularity, NSDC has the right to terminate the contract with
immediate effect.

7.15 SUBCONTRACTING (AREAS THAT CAN BE SUBCONTRACTED,

EXTENT ETC)
In case required, the Proposer shall seek permission and submit the list of sub- Proposers to
theEmployer for its prior approval in writing. Suchapproval by the Employer of a sub- Proposer(s) shall
not relieve the Proposer from any of itsobligations, duties, or responsibilities under the Contract.

7.16 TRANSPORT AND DELIVERY

Delivery Schedule will require the explicit written consent of the Employer.The Proposer shall bear
responsibility for deliveries and cost of transport to the Project Sites.Unless otherwise specified, the
Proposer shall be free to use transportation through carriers registered in the Country.

7.17 PRODUCT UPGRADES

At any point during performance of the Contract, should technological advances be introduced bythe
Proposer for the IT Services originally offered by the Proposer in its proposal and still to bedelivered,

60
the Proposer shall be obligated to offer to the Employer the latest versions of theavailable information
technologies having equal or better performance or functionality at the sameor lesser unit prices.

7.18 INSPECTION AND TESTING

NSDC and/or its representative reserve the right of inspection of processes being followed bythe
Proposer anytime during the period of the contract. NSDC reserves the right to inspect, test and,
wherever necessary, reject the hardware delivered atProject Site. This shall in no way be limited or
waived by reason of the Hardware having previouslybeen inspected, tested and passed by NSDC or its
representative prior to the Hardware shipment.

7.19 COMMISSIONING AND OPERATIONAL ACCEPTANCE

Commissioning of the Project shall be commenced by the Proposer immediately afterintimation of
acceptance is issued by the Employer’s Representative.

The Employer shall supply the operating and technical personnel and all materials
andinformationreasonably required to enable the Proposer to carry out its obligations with respect
toCommissioning of project. Production use of the IT or Services shall not commence prior to thestart of
the formal Operational Acceptance Testing.

The Operational Acceptance Tests shall be the primary responsibility of the Employer, butshallbe
conducted with the full cooperation of the Proposer during Commissioning of the ITApplication to
ascertain whether they conform to the requirements and meets the standard ofperformance quoted in
the Proposer’s proposal, including, but not restricted to, the functional andtechnical performance
requirements.

If, for reason attributable to the Employer, the Operational Acceptance Test of the IT Applicationcannot
be successfully completed within the period specified, from the date of Installation oranyother period
agreed upon in writing by the Employer and the Proposer, the Proposer shall bedeemed to have
fulfilled its obligations with respect to the technical and functional aspects.

If the IT Application fails to pass the Operational Acceptance Test(s) then either:

• the Employer may consider terminating the Contract, or

• If the failure to achieve Operational Acceptance within the specified time period is a
result of the failure of the Employer to fulfill its obligations under the Contract, then

61
 theProposer shall be deemed to have fulfilled its obligations with respect to the
relevanttechnical and functional aspects of the Contract.

7.20 COMPLETION TIME GUARANTEE

The Proposer guarantees that it shall complete the Commissioning of project within the timeperiods
specified in the Implementation Schedule and/or Agreed and Finalized Project Plan orwithin such
extended time to which the Proposer shall be entitled to.

7.21 DEFECT LIABILITY

The Proposer warrants that all Services/Products to be delivered under this contract:

• shall be free from defects in the design and workmanship;

• are newly manufactured, unused, and incorporate all recent material improvements
in design; and
• complies with or exceeds the Technical Specifications
• commercial warranty provisions of products supplied under the Contract shall apply
to theextent that they do not conflict with the provisions of this Contract.

In addition, the Proposer warrants that:

The Warranty Period shall commence from the date of Operational Acceptance of the ITServices.If
during the Warranty Period any defect should be found in the design, documentation, andworkmanship
of the Services provided by the Proposer, the Proposer shall promptly, inconsultation and agreement
with the Employer regarding appropriate remedying of the defects, andat its sole cost, repair, replace, or
otherwise make good (as the Proposer shall, at its discretion,determine) such defect as well as any
damage to the Products and/or Services caused by suchdefect.

7.22 FUNCTIONAL GUARANTEES

The Proposer guarantees that during the Operational Acceptance, the IT Services shall attain
theFunctional Guarantees, subject to and upon the conditions therein specified.

If, for reasons attributable to the Proposer, the minimum level of the Functional Guarantees is notmet
either in whole or in part, the Proposer shall at its own cost and expense make such
changes,modifications and/or additions to the Services or any part thereof as may be necessary to meet
atleast the minimum level of such Guarantees. The Proposer shall notify the Employer uponcompletion
of the necessary changes, modifications and/or additions, and shall request theEmployer to repeat the

62
Operational Acceptance Test until the minimum level of the Guarantees hasbeen met. If the Proposer
eventually fails to meet the minimum level of Functional Guarantees,the Employer may consider
termination of the Contract.

7.23 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

Except in cases of criminal negligence or willful misconduct and Intellectual Property RightsIndemnity
claims:

• neither Party shall be liable to the other Party, whether in contract, tort, or otherwise, for
anyindirect or consequential loss or damage, loss of use, loss of production, or loss of profits
orinterest costs, which may be suffered by the other Party in connection with the Contract,
otherthan specifically provided as any obligation of the Party in the Contract, and
• The aggregate liability of the Proposer to the Employer, whether under the Contract, in tortor
otherwise, shall not exceed the Contract Price, provided that this limitation shall not applyto any
obligation of the Proposer to indemnify the Employer with respect to patentinfringement.
7.24 CRIMINAL CHARGES AND CONVICTION
The Proposer warrants that it has disclosed and will continue to disclose during the term of
thisContract full details of all criminal convictions and all pending criminal charges against it or any ofits
personnel and associates that would reasonably be expected to adversely affect theProposer orthe
Proposer’s capacity to fulfill its obligations under this contract.

7.25 CARE OF IT PRODUCTS AND/OR SERVICES

The Proposer shall be responsible for the care and custody of the IT Products and/or Services orany
part thereof until the date of completion of the Project, where the contract provides for completion of
the in parts, until the date of completion of the relevant part, and shall make good atits own cost any loss
or damage that may occur to the IT Products and/or Services or the relevantpart thereof from any cause
whatsoever during such period.

7.26 LOSS OF OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY; ACCIDENT OR INJURY TO

WORKERS
The Proposer shall aabide by the job safety, insurance, customs, and immigration measuresprevalent
and laws in force in the India. The Proposer shall indemnify and hold the Employer and its employees
and officers harmlessfrom and against any and all suits, actions or administrative proceedings, claims,
demands, losses,damages, costs, and expenses of whatsoever nature, including attorney’s fees and

63
expenses, inrespect of the death or injury of any person or loss of or damage to any property by reason
of thenegligence of the Proposer or its employees, officers or agents.

7.27 INSURANCE
The Proposer shall maintain standard forms of comprehensive insurance including liabilityinsurance,
system and facility insurance and any other insurance for the personnel, assets, data,software, etc. and
submit the list of all the insured items to NSDC prior to the start ofoperations.

7.28 FORCE MAJEURE

• Neither Party to this Agreement or to the SLA shall be liable to the other for any loss ordamage
which may be suffered by the other due (directly) to the extent and for the duration ofany cause
beyond the reasonable control of the Party unable to perform (“Force Majeure”)events such as
but not limited to acts of God not confined to the premises of the Partyclaiming the Force
Majeure, flood, drought, lightning or fire, earthquakes, strike, lock-outsbeyond itscontrol, labor
disturbance not caused at the instance of the Party claiming ForceMajeure, acts of government or
other competent authority, war, terrorist activities, militaryoperations, riots, epidemics, civil
commotions etc. No failure, delay or other default of any Proposer to either Party shall entitle
such Party to claim Force Majeure.
• The Party seeking to rely on Force Majeure shall promptly, within 2 days, notify the other
Partyof the occurrence of a Force Majeure event as a condition precedent to the availability of
thisdefense with particulars detail in writing to the other Party and shall demonstrate that it has
andis taking all reasonable measures to mitigate the events of Force Majeure.
• In the event the Force Majeure substantially prevents, hinders or delays the
Proposer’sperformance of Services necessary for the operation of Project’s critical business
functions for aperiod in excess of 5 days, NSDC may declare that an emergency exists. NSDC will
issue anotice to the Proposer to resume normal services at all affected sites and for all
operationswithin a period of 7 days. In the event that the Proposer is not able to resume
services withinthe next 7 days, NSDCmay terminate the Agreement and/or obtain substitute
performancefrom an alternate Proposer. However, the event of Force Majeure is to be reviewed
undertwo categories i.e. prior to commencement of operations and post commencement
ofoperations respectively.
• Prior to commencement of operations: If the event of Force Majeure occurs prior
tocommencement of operations and continues for a period in excess of 10 days, then NSDC will
grant a period of 7 days to the Proposer to resume normal activities under thisAgreement. In
case the default continues, then NSDC may discuss the issue with theProposer and revise the
existing timelines for the Project. If the Proposer does notcomplete the Project Implementation
in accordance with the revised timeless, NSDC will havethe option to terminate thisAgreement.
• Post commencement of operations: If Force Majeure occurs post commencement ofoperations
and continues for a period in excess of five days, then NSDC will grant a period of7 days to the
Proposer to resume normal services under this Agreement. In case the defaultcontinues, NSDC
may grant an extension of time to the Proposer for rectifying thesituation. However, NSDC will
deduct for each day of the extension period a percentageproportionate to the number of days

64
 and the affected areas/s from the next payable amount asper Payment Schedule. If there is any
further delay despite the extended period, NSDC willhave the option to terminate theAgreement.
• Notwithstanding the terms of this section, the failure on the part of the Proposer under theSLA
to implement any disaster contingencyplanning and back-up and other data safeguards in
accordance with the terms of the SLA against natural disaster, fire, sabotage or other
similaroccurrence shall not be an event of Force Majeure.

7.29 CHANGE IN LAWS AND REGULATIONS

If after the date of proposal submission, any law, regulation, ordinance, order or by-law having the
forceof law is enacted, promulgated, abrogated or changed which shall be deemed to include any
changein interpretation or application by the competent authorities, that subsequently affects the costs
andexpenses of the Proposer and/or the Time for Completion, the Contract Price shall
becorrespondingly increased or decreased, and/or the Time for Completion shall be reasonablyadjusted
to the extent that the Proposer has thereby been affected in the performance of any ofits obligations
under the Contract.

7.30 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS

• The Proposer shall undertake to observe, adhere to, comply with and notify NSDC about all laws in
force or as are made applicable in future, pertaining to or applicable to the Proposer, their business,
their employees or their obligations towards employees and all purposes of this tender and shall
indemnify, keep indemnified, hold harmless, defend and protect NSDC and its
employees/officers/staff/ personnel/representatives/agents from any failure or omission on its
part to do so and against all claims or demands of liability and all consequences that may occur or
arise for any default or failure on its part to conform or comply with the above and all other
statutory obligations arising there from.
• The Proposer shall promptly and timely obtain all such consents, permissions, approvals, licenses,
etc, as may be necessary or required for any of the purposes of this project or for the conduct of their
own business under any applicable Law, Government Regulation/Guidelines and shall keep the same
valid and in force during the term of the project, and in the event of any failure or omission to do so,
shall indemnify, keep indemnified, hold harmless, defend, protect and fully compensate NSDC and its
employees/ officers/ staff/ personnel/ representatives/agents from and against all claims or
demands of liability and all consequences that may occur or arise for any default or failure on its
part to conform or comply with the above and all other statutory obligations arising there from and
NSDC shall give notice of any such claim or demand of liability within reasonable time to the
Proposer.
• The Proposeragrees that the Proposershall not be entitled to assign / sub lease any or all of its
rights and or obligations under this tender and subsequent Agreement to any entity including
Proposer’s affiliate without the prior written consent of NSDC.

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7.31 EXTENSION OF TIME FOR COMPLETION
The Time(s) for Completion shall be extended if the Proposer is delayed or impeded in theperformance
of any of its obligations under the Contract by reason of any of the following:

• any occurrence of Force Majeure or unforeseen conditions

• any changes in laws and regulations
• any default or breach of the Contract by the Employer, or any activity, act or omission of
theEmployer, or the Nodal Officer, or any other Proposers employed by the Employer; or
• any other matter specifically mentioned in the Contractby such period as shall be fair and
reasonable in all the circumstances and as shall fairly reflect thedelay or impediment sustained
by the Proposer.

7.32 SUSPENSION
No order of suspension or termination of implementing Proposer would be issued by
NSDCexcept after conducting an enquiry by an officer of NSDC, authorized in this regard.

The grounds for suspension / termination of implementing Proposer may include inter alia
• Contravention of the conditions/clauses as would be specified in the Contract/Letter
ofAppointment.
• Inability to perform the duties and requirements as would be specified in the contract.

7.33 TERMINATION FOR PROPOSER’S DEFAULT

The Employer, without prejudice to any other rights or remedies it may possess, may terminate
theContract forthwith in the following circumstances by giving a notice of termination and its
reasonstherefore to the Proposer:

• if the Proposer becomes bankrupt or insolvent, has a receiving order issued against
it,compounds with its creditors, or, if the Proposer is a corporation, a resolution is passed
ororder is made for its winding up, (other than a voluntary liquidation for the purposes
ofamalgamation or reconstruction), a receiver is appointed over any part of its undertaking
orassets, or if the Proposer takes or suffers any other analogous action in consequence of debt;
• if the Proposer, in the judgment of the Employer has engaged in corrupt, fraudulent, coerciveor
collusive practices in competing for or in executing the Contract, including but not limitedto
willful misrepresentation of facts concerning ownership of Intellectual Property Rights in,
orproper authorization and/or licenses from the owner to offer the hardware, software,
ormaterials provided under the Contract.

If the Proposer:

66
 • has abandoned or repudiated the Contract;
• has without valid reason failed to commence work on the project promptly;
• persistently fails to execute the Contract in accordance with the Contract or persistentlyneglects
to carry out its obligations under the Contract without just cause;
• refuses or is unable to provide sufficient Documentation, Services, or labor to execute
andcomplete the project in the manner specified in the agreed and finalized Project Planthen the
Employer may, without prejudice to any other rights it may possess under the Contract,give a
notice to the Proposer stating the nature of the default and requiring the Proposer toremedy
the same. If the Proposer fails to remedy or to take steps to remedy the same withinfourteen
(14) days of its receipt of such notice, then the Employer may terminate the Contractforthwith
by giving a notice of termination to theProposer.

Upon receipt of the notice of termination, the Proposer shall, either immediately or upon such

date as is specified in the notice of termination,

• cease all further work, except for such work as the Employer may specify in the notice
oftermination for the sole purpose of protecting that part of the project already executed, or
any
• work required to leave the Site in a clean and safe condition;
• deliver to the Employer the part of the project executed by the Proposer up to the date
oftermination;
• to the extent legally possible, assign to the Employer all rights, title and benefit of theProposer to
the Project as of the date of termination, and, as may be required by theEmployer
• deliver to the Employer all drawings, specifications, and other documents prepared by the
Proposer as of the date of termination in connection with the Project.
7.34 DISPUTES AND ARBITRATION
7.34.1 Arbitration

Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this project and the services to be rendered by
Proposer under or pursuant to this project Agreement, the interpretation hereof, or its breach shall, if
not resolved by mutual discussions between the parties, be settled by binding arbitration in accordance
with the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. Arbitration shall be conducted in New Delhi in English
language.

7.34.2 JURISDICTION

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All disputes and controversies between NSDC and Proposer shall be subject tothe exclusive jurisdiction
of the Courts at New Delhi the parties agree to submit themselves to the jurisdiction of such court.
ThisProject agreement shall be governed by the laws of India.

7.35 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

a) The Proposer warrants that they have obtained all necessary corporateapprovals to enter into
an Agreement and that no consent, approval, orRFP Document for Skill Development
Management System for NSDC, no withholding of objection is required from any governmental
authority withrespect to the entering into or the performance of this project.

b) The Proposerfurther warrants that they are under no obligation or restriction, nor shall
theyassume any such obligation or restriction, that would in any way interfere orconflict with, or
that would present a conflict of interest concerning, anyobligations under this project .

c) Proposer warrants that it shall perform the Services in a professional andworkmanlike manner
and materially in accordance with the applicablespecifications in the RFP.

d) The Proposer represents that it is duly incorporated, validly existing and ingood standing under
as per the laws of the state in which such Party isincorporated.

e) The Proposer represents that it has the corporate power and authority to enterinto Agreements
and perform its obligations there under. The execution,delivery and performance of terms and
conditions under Agreements by suchParty and the performance of its obligations there under
are duly authorizedand approved by all necessary action and no other action on the part of
suchParty is necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance underan
Agreement.

f) The Proposer represents that the submission of responses to the RFP execution,delivery and
performance under an Agreement entered in case the Proposer isselected:

• Will not violate or contravene any provision of its documents ofincorporation;

• Will not violate or contravene any law, statute, rule, regulation,licensing
requirement, order,writ, injunction or decree of any court,governmental
instrumentality or other regulatory, governmental orpublic body, agency or
authority by which it is bound or by whichany of its properties or assets are bound;

68
• Except to the extent that the same have been duly and properlycompleted or
obtained, will not require any filing with, or permit,consent or approval of or license
from, or the giving of any notice to,any court, governmental instrumentality or other
regulatory,governmental or public body, agency or authority, joint ventureparty, or
any other entity or person whatsoever;
• To the best of its knowledge, after reasonable investigation, norepresentation or
warranty by such Party in this Agreement, and nodocument furnished or to be
furnished to the other Party to thisAgreement, or in connection herewith or with the
transactionscontemplated hereby, contains or will contain any untrue ormisleading
statement or omits or will omit any fact necessary tomake the statements contained
herein or therein, in light of thecircumstances under which made, not misleading.
There have beenno events or transactions, or facts or information which has come
to,or upon reasonable diligence, should have come to the attention ofsuch Party and
which have not been disclosed herein or in a schedulehereto, having a direct impact
on the transactions contemplatedhereunder.

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SECTION 8. ANNEXURE A

8.1 LIST OF MIS STATEMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED *

REPORT PARTICULARS PERIODICITY
NO
1. Performance of a Training Project To be confirmed by NSDC
2. Ownership details of the Agencies being funded To be confirmed by NSDC
3. Partner-wise Progress Report To be confirmed by NSDC
4. Trainees Registration Details To be confirmed by NSDC
5. Directors’ Report To be confirmed by NSDC
6. Number of Proposals Approved To be confirmed by NSDC
7. Fulfillment of disbursement conditions To be confirmed by NSDC
8. Statement of Staff Details To be confirmed by NSDC
9. Statement of Disbursal (Category wise) To be confirmed by NSDC
10. Statement of vacancies notified in a particular time To be confirmed by NSDC
period.
11. Statement of overall skilled manpower availability To be confirmed by NSDC
12 Statement of milestones achieved by the Service To be confirmed by NSDC
Provider

Please note that the above list is only illustrative / indicative list and you may fill in other List of MIS
Reports to suit NSDC’s specific requirements.

70
8.2 REPORT 1 - MIS REPORT SHOWING PERFORMANCE OF A TRAINING
PROJECT FUNDED BY NSDC:
REPORT FOR THE PERIOD OF ……
DATE OF REPORT GENERATION – DD/MM/YYYY
Particulars No of Students No of Centers Placement of Average Cost per
Trainees Trainee
Name of Projected Actual Projected Actual Projected Actual Projected Actual
Project

8.3 REPORT 2 – OWNERSHIP DETAILS OF THE AGENCIES BEING

FUNDED
REPORT FOR THE PERIOD OF ……
DATE OF REPORT GENERATION – DD/MM/YYYY

ORGANISATION/ ENTITY

STRUCTURE /TYPE (E.g.Pvt Limited Company, Trust/ Society etc)

DETAILS OF SHAREHOLDERS/ TRUSTEES

ACQUIRED ASSETS
TOTAL AMOUNT SANCTIONED
AMOUNT UTILISED
Suppliers Name and Import or Local
Performa Invoice Address
S. No. Description Head *
Price

* The Head should fall under one of the

following
Land
Building
Plant & Mach.
Office Equipment
Computer
Furniture Fixture and Electric Fittings
Books

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8.4 REPORT 3 - MIS REPORT SHOWING PARTNERWISE PROGRESS
REPORT:
REPORT FOR THE Period OF ……
DATE OF REPORT GENERATION – DD/MM/YYYY
Particulars No of Students No of Centers Placement of Trainees Average Cost per
Trainee
Name of Projected Actual Projected Actual Projected Actual Projected Actual
Partner

8.5 REPORT 4 – TRAINEES REGISTRATION DETAILS

1. TRAINEE ID/ UID
2. NAME OF TRAINEE
3. FATHER’S NAME
4. DATE OF BIRTH
5. ADDRESS
6. EDUCATION UPTO 5TH PASS DROP OUT/FAIL
STANDARD
7. EDUCATION UPTO 10TH PASS DROP OUT/FAIL
STANDARD
8. EDUCATION UPTO 12TH PASS DROP OUT/FAIL
STANDARD
9. EDUCATION UPTO PASS DROP OUT/FAIL
GRADUATION
SECTOR GRADE NO OF YEARS

10. EXPERIENCE CONSTRUCTION UNSKILLED SKILLED

INFRASTRUCTURE UNSKILLED SKILLED
REAL ESTATE UNSKILLED SKILLED
11. TRADE REGISTERED FOR MASONRY / PAINTING / ELECTRICAL / PLUMBING / BAR BENDING
TRAINING /OPERATOR
12. TRAINING DURATION
13. NAME OF EMPLOYER
14. CURRENT WAGE
15. PRIOR TRAINING DETAILS, IF
ANY
16. NAME OF ACCREDITATION
AGENCY
17. LEVEL OF CERTIFICATION

** Please note that the above list is only illustrative / indicative list and you may fill in other List of MIS
Reports to suit NSDC’s specific requirements.

72
8.5.1 FORM - I

(RFP for Skill Development Management System (SDMS) for NSDC)

PRINCIPAL PROPOSER’s UNDERTAKING LETTER

To:

National Skill Development Corporation

D-4, Clarion Collection, (Qutab Hotel)
ShaheedJeet Singh Marg
New Delhi 11 0 016
Tel: 011 46 56 0414 Fax: 011 4656 0417
Email: ____________________

Dear Sir,

We, the undersigned, as principal Proposer, having examined the complete RFP document(along
with its annexures, forms etc), do hereby offer to produce, deliver, install, support and maintainSkill
Development Management System in full conformity of your requirements aselaborated in above
said RFP for the amounts mentioned by us in the Commercial proposal or suchother sums as may be
agreed to between us.

We hereby agree to all the terms and conditions stipulated in the RFP and submitherewith our
proposal for the said Project.

We undertake as a part of this contract for successful operation of the Skill Development
ManagementSystem in future by NSDC during the warranty and AMC period (ifcontracted).

Yours faithfully,

(Authorised Signatory)

In the capacity of ______________

Duly authorized to sign the proposal for and on behalf of Principal Proposer.

73
Format of letter to NSDC on the Proposer’s letterhead

8.5.2 FORM -II

PROPOSERS’ PROFILE

National Skill Development Corporation

D-4, Clarion Collection, (Qutab Hotel)
ShaheedJeet Singh Marg

New Delhi 11 0 016

Tel: 011 46 56 0414 Fax: 011 4656 0417

Dear Sir,

Sub: Your RFP for Skill Development Management System Solution

With reference to the above RFP, having examined and understood the instructions, terms
andconditions forming part of the RFP, we hereby enclose our offer for the supply,
Installation,Integration, implementation and maintenance of the MIS as detailed in your above
referredRFP. We also hereunder submit the required information:

NSDC’s requirements Proposer response

Year of establishment of the Company Mention date of establishment

Names and background of main promoters Give details

Nature of business Specify

Net Worth as of the last financial Year (specify year) of Mention figures in Rs. in lacand
the Proposer / Group as applicable. enclose supporting audited financial
Profits for last 3 years Year 1 (specify year) statements
Year 2 (specify year)

74
of the proposer /
Year 3 (specify year)
li bl
Turnover for the last 3 years Year 1 (specify year)
of the proposer / group as Year 2 (specify year)
applicable. Year 3 (specify year)

Major centers where the Proposer has developed Give complete details/description of
andinstalled similar MIS solution / applications such similar installed MIS solution

Number of software engineers employed Mention number and give listwith

names and qualifications
Major technology platforms on which the Proposer Give details
offers

Type of quality certification obtained, if any Attach photocopies of certificates

(ISO9001:2000/ SEI CMM etc., enclose photocopy)

Availability of MIS solutions from well known software Mention Yes/No

companies

We confirm that a) we own the IPR of those parts of the software that are developed by usand b) we
have the permission to use third party components of the software from therespective Proposers.

We understand that NSDC is not bound to accept the offer and that NSDC has the rightto reject the offer
without assigning any reasons whatsoever.

Yours faithfully,

Authorised Signatory of Principal Proposer

(Name & Designation, seal of the firm)

75
8.5.3 FORM III - COMMERCIAL PROPOSAL

FORM – III(RFP for Skill Development Management System for NSDC )

To: Date
National Skill Development Corporation
D-4, Clarion Collection, (Qutab Hotel)
ShaheedJeet Singh Marg
New Delhi 11 0 016
Tel: 011 46 56 0414 Fax: 011 4656 0417
Email: ____________________

Dear Sir,
Reg: RFP for Sill Development Management System for NSDC

Having examined the proposal Documents, the receipt of which is hereby duly acknowledged, we,
theundersigned, offer to supply and deliver the Skill Development Management System Solution, in
conformitywith the said proposal documents for the sum of .…………….(Rs.) or such other sums as may
be ascertained in accordance with the Schedule of Prices attachedherewith and made part of this
proposal.

We undertake, if our proposal is accepted, to deliver, install and commission the technical solution
inaccordance with the delivery schedule specified in the Schedule of Requirements/ purchase
ordersissued from time to time.

We agree to the proposal and the rates quoted therein for the orders awarded by NSDC up tothe period
prescribed in the proposal which shall remain binding upon us.
Until a formal contract is prepared and executed, this proposal, together with your written
acceptancethereof and your notification of award, shall constitute a binding Contract between us.
We undertake that, in competing for (and, if the award is made to us, in executing) the abovecontract, we
will strictly observe the laws against fraud and corruption in force in India namely“Prevention of
Corruption Act 1988”.

We understand that you are not bound to accept the lowest or any proposal you may receive.

Dated this…………………… Day of………………………..2009.

(Signature)

(Name) (in the capacity of)

Duly authorized to sign proposal for and on behalf of the Principal Proposer.

76
Schedule of prices (Commercial Proposal)
Sr. Activity
No
1 Application Deployment
One time setup costs for
existing web based solution
on a SaaS model.
Ongoing subscription costs
for existing web based
solution on a SaaS model
2 Customization and Implementation
On Contracting
Business Requirement
Analysis Sign off
Completion of Design,
Development and Coding of
Customization
Testing & UAT
Payment (%)
To be paid only after
commissioning and go live. The
proposer to provide the criteria
for charges illustrating what is
applicable for NSDC, its stake
holders etc.
To be paid on quarterly basis
and applicable from the date of
go live. The proposer to provide
the criteria for charges
illustrating what is applicable
for NSDC, its stake holders etc.
10% of the total customization
cost.
10% of the total customization
cost, if completed within the
time frame mentioned in RFP
20% of the total customization
cost, if completed within the
time frame mentioned in RFP
25% of the customization cost,
if completed within the time
frame mentioned in RFP
77
Sr. Activity Payment (%)
No
Sign off on Commissioning
30% of the total customization
& Go‐Live cost, if completed within the
time frame mentioned in RFP
and declared bug free by NSDC
0r any PBG required for a yr for
5 % of Contract Value
5 year Support Services To be paid quarterly and
after Go‐ Live applicable from the date of Go-
Live and1 year warranty
support
3 Hardware & Networking Components (as applicable)
Supply, installation, 70% payment of the total
commissioning & successful Hardware and Networking
inspection of the goods Components Cost. The
ordered. inspections will be done as
decided by NSDC.
After Go Live of application 20% payment of the total
Hardware & Networking
Components Cost.

Project go‐live – 6 months 10% payment will be paid

after against a PBG for 1 year
4 Additional customization costs during the initial first 5
year subscription period. Warranty support as applicable
for the Hardware and networking components from the
vendor source and costing for support post warranty
period
Helpdesk support for initial Paid quarterly after the end of
5 year subscription period every quarter

(Signature)

(Name) (in the capacity of)

Duly authorized to sign proposal for and on behalf of the Principal Proposer.

78
8.5.4 FORM IV - TECHNICAL BID FORM

Technical specifications checklist

MIS Solution for NSDC:

Si System requirement/ Technical specification Bidder Bidder

compliance comments
No
(Yes/No)
1. List of Projects developed and delivered highlighting the
ones in Education/Skill development field.
List of all projects that are currently under development
highlighting the ones in Education/Skill development
field
2. Systems Requirement Study for customization:

2.1 The selected Proposer shall study and review the

objectives, business needs, business processes of all
the NSDC departments / Partners and define the user
requirement in detail. The Proposer shall carry out
detailed discussions with NSDC & its associates, its
training centers, and understand the existing systems
and procedures, hierarchy of data, and document flow,
authorization procedures etc. in various process
areas including any opportunities of re-engineering the
existing processes to align with the SDMS.
Identification of the source of data
2.2 Identification of the nature and function of the data
and their possible inter‐ linkages
2.3 Identification of the use of data with respect to its
usage in information generation / system
requirements
2.4 Assessment of the Information Flow across various
Business Functions /Organizations /Locations/Branches
and thereby arriving at the internal and external
Interface Requirements.

In this phase, the Proposer is supposed to prepare

the AS-IS process maps and get it approved from
NSDC’s competent Authority.

79
Si System requirement/ Technical specification Bidder Bidder
compliance comments
No
(Yes/No)
On the basis of the above, the need for the Skill
Development Management System (SDMS) required at
various levels of NSDC & its associate Training Centers
shall be identified and documented by the Service
Provider in the form of comprehensive report.

Assessment of the various Reports required by

stakeholders.

At the end of this phase the TO-BE requirements have to

be submitted.

Deliverables:
a. User’s Requirement Specifications (AS-IS)
b. System Requirement Specifications documents (TO-
BE)
3. System Requirements Specifications:

Analysis of information requirements resulting in a

Software Requirement Specifications (SRS) document
that would form the basis of the MIS solution
development once it is accepted by NSDC. The SRS
would consist of, but not restricted to the following:

Database design, Description of the application

structure, Prototype of screens and Description of the
reports, manner/ scheduling of delivery, target users
etc.The logical data model,Interface requirements to
other systems of NSDC as applicable.
Description of the Gap (manual) data capture
application for data elements not available in any of
the above processing systems of NSDC,
The phasing of the application delivery.
Integrating a reporting tool,
Description of the tools that will be used.
Routines for report distribution to various users
Integration of an information portal.

The Proposer should develop the MIS solution based on

80
Si System requirement/ Technical specification Bidder Bidder
compliance comments
No
(Yes/No)
the approved SRS. The scope would include,
illustratively, database design, , integration of reporting
tool, data entry software for capturing dataunavailable
in the processing systems of the NSDC, routines for
report distribution to various users, integration of an
information portal etc.

4. General Application Requirements:

4.1 The system should be based on a Centralized MIS

database.
4.2 The application should allow any-time/any-where
access. Several remote centers may either have
connectivity using data cards or may sporadically not
have internet connectivity- Proposers are absolutely
required to suggest alternate semi-online mechanisms
to address this issue and the application should be light
enough to work off a data card..
4.3 The application comprises of modules as defined in
Clause 4.5 of the RFP. This is the indicative
functionality requirement for the purpose of pricing by
the proposer.
4.4 The users should be provided with restricted access to
the information depending upon their security level.
4.5 The system must have the following security features
and shall be in conformity with the Information
Security Policy of NSDC on the lines of ISO 27001
including :
4.5.1 Idle user logout
4.5.2 Minimum password length should be 8 character
long
4.5.3 User lock after pre-defined unsuccessful login
attempts
4.5.4 Force password change after pre-defined periods
4.5.5 At the time of changing password, new password
should not be same
4.5.6 User ID and password cannot be same.

81
Si System requirement/ Technical specification Bidder Bidder
compliance comments
No
(Yes/No)
4.5.7 Provision of security at every level of sub-portals /
port lets
4.5.8 Facilitate to adopt an optimum solution platform,
database management, front ‐end and backend
tools, so that on integration it leads to an overall
cost effectiveness minimizing the number of
licenses at the client level.
4.5.9 There must be a complete Administration
Management Systems.
4.5.10 24X7 Concept anytime anywhere.
4.5.11 Online Registration Management System. Option of
Payment Gateway would be an added advantage.
4.5.12 Facility to daily upload News, Events,
Announcements, Notices on your website.

5. Hardware, Network, Security and other Requirements:

5.1 Optimum design of the network based on

Data Communication and Networking Requirements
the network design shall adequately address the issues
like optimum latency, elimination of re-entry of data,
scalability (both scaling up and scaling out),
geographical redundancy of data etc.
5.2 The software solution shall contain all suitable security
features and firewalls using the latest features to
protect and secure the databases used by the
proposed system, data in transit etc.Proposed solution
should ensure all Security Aspects viz. Database
Security, Application Access Security, Communication
Channel Security, User level Security, etc and
Compliance of all Terms and Conditions of this RFP.

5.3 The software solution shall be designed and developed

in a manner so that the solution is scalable or can be
upgraded as required. Also it should enable
incorporation of any commercially available security
solution.

82
Si System requirement/ Technical specification Bidder Bidder
compliance comments
No
(Yes/No)
5.4 Appropriate access and authorization controls should
be incorporated into policies and procedures.
5.5 The Service Provider should also address the issues
relating to Business Continuity / Disaster recovery etc.
in their solution set.
5.6 The Bidder must provide specification of the hardware
configuration as well as the associated system
software and database on which the application would
be run including the hardware for web server, portal
server, database server, application server, storage,
the relative operating system and databases etc.
5.6.1 Application server /report server/ database server/
web server should be based on either X86
processor based servers running Windows Server
2003 or RISC processor based servers
5.6.2 The clients should be Windows XP or above based
PCs with Internet Explorer as the browser.
5.7 Proposer is required to host the application on servers
that provide high availability of the application. The
Proposer is required to provide the required
bandwidth and should furnish the proposed network
diagram and details of the data center.
5.8 All technology equipment required to access the
services at the NSDC vocational training provider’s
premises will be procured by the vocational training
providers. The Proposer may suggest the
configurations of critical equipment such as desktops,
and any other devices required to ensure effective
data capture and controls.
5.9 The hardware should be planned keeping in mind the
fact that NSDC’s skill development programmes will
grow rapidly over the next fiveyears.

6. Testing:

After the Customisation / Development and

Implementation is complete the Service Provider (SP)

83
Si System requirement/ Technical specification Bidder Bidder
compliance comments
No
(Yes/No)
shall have to start the testing of the software which
delivers the user requirements as per the duly
approved System Requirement Specifications
document/Functional Specifications (FS).

Deliverables:
a. Results of tests
b. Integration Test Plan and Results
c. MIS reports

7. User Acceptance Testing:

On completion of the implementation and testing of the

fully integrated system by the Service Provider, the
users of the system as per the acceptance criteria will
test the system. The Service Provider shall conduct the
User Acceptance Testing in co‐ordination with the users
& make all suitable changes suggested by the end‐users.
If after making suitable changes in the solution, the final
software has some bugs, the service provider shall fix
them.

The test plan should address at least following issues:

7.1 System functionality

7.2 Accuracy of the system
7.3 Response time of the system
7.4 Data capture
7.5 Menu, screen and other navigation
7.6 Abnormal usage and system response.
7.7 Flexibility and susceptibility of the system to generate
various reports from various users
7.8 Validation, security and authorization
7.9 Integration
7.10 User friendliness as experienced by various users
7.11 Report generation – sample formats
7.12 The major activities involved at this stage of the
assignment are as follows:
7.12.1 Testing and debugging of programs

84
Si System requirement/ Technical specification Bidder Bidder
compliance comments
No
(Yes/No)
7.12.2 Module testing
7.12.3 Develop test data along with expected outputs.
7.12.4 Integrated testing with the prepared data
7.12.5 Setup and enable access to the application at all
the offices.
7.13 The Bidder should install the application on a test
environment and assist NSDC’s team in carrying out
the User Acceptance Test

8. Training:

8.1 The Service Provider shall be responsible for providing

Sensitization Training for 2 days to a majority of
available employees of NSDC and its associate training
centers. This training will cover general IT awareness
and advantages that would accrue at 3 levels i.e junior,
middle and senior level in the organization. The
content for Sensitization Training may be finalized in
consultation with NSDC.

8.2 Training to be taken care for all of the users at center

level as well

8.3 The Service Provider shall be responsible for providing

training to the users at various levels. The training
should be including the operational and administrative
aspects of the system. The Service Provider should
conduct extensive training for the relevant NSDC
personnel. The training shall comprise of classroom
training as well as ‐on hands
training on the
implemented system according to the functions of
operators, supervisors, officers, executives and the
application administrator

8.4 A detailed training schedule, including the dates, areas

covered, time and the training literature in Hard/Soft

85
Si System requirement/ Technical specification Bidder Bidder
compliance comments
No
(Yes/No)
Copy (to be supplied to the NSDC & its associate
training centers) at various stages of the cycle must
be provided in the technical proposal.

8.5 The Bidder should train NSDC’s project team in the

database design, use of reporting tool and information
portal

8.6 The Bidder should train the user team of NSDC in

Application analysis and software implementation

Deliverables:
• Training Plan
9. Application Support:

9.1 The Service Provider shall provide support for the

application and related hardware /networking
components of SDMS solution for a period of five years
(subscription period) from the date of acceptance of
software (date of Go ‐Live o f the project). Service
Provider shall continuously strive for improvement in
package during the subscription period. In the event of
any problems in the application software and related
hardware /networking components, the Service
Provider(s) will be entirely responsible to analyze and
rectify the problems immediately for which no extra
charges shall be paid. As part of the support, the
Service Provider shall also submit a quarterly log report
depicting the module wise changes made in the
software with reasons thereof.
9.2 Also up gradation of all the application modules used
in NSDC and supplied by the Service Provider, with the
latest version available in the market shall be the
responsibility of the Service Provider.
9.3 The Bidder should provide application maintenance for
error fixes, additions/ modifications to the software to

86
Si System requirement/ Technical specification Bidder Bidder
compliance comments
No
(Yes/No)
cater to changes to data sources and/or new reporting
requirements during warranty period of one year as
well as, optionally, during the post-warranty period
9.4 The technical documentation involving detailed
instruction for operation and support is to be
delivered with installation of the application.
9.5 The Bidder should provide comprehensive
documentation of the application including the
application architecture, description of the interfaces,
data model, database table structure, complete
description of the data element (in the form of
metadata etc.
9.6 Proposer should provide a helpdesk to support users
for any issues / clarifications / guidance etc.

10. Reports:

10.1 The scope of work as detailed hereinabove would

include submission of periodic MIS reports as may be
required and specified by NSDC. An indicative list of
the MIS reports to be submitted along with their
periodicity is in ANNEXURE A
10.2 Reporting toolshould be capable of providing report
design, generation, distribution and archiving features
as further described below:
10.2.1 Provision of graphical interface with drag-and drop
functionality for report design
10.2.2 Ability to extract data from multiple databases,
10.2.3 Ability to design simple tabular reports as well as
complex reports
10.2.4 Support for embedding subtotals in columns as
well as built-in functions like AVERAGE, MAXIMUM,
and MINIMUM etc.
10.2.5 Support for placing charts on the report
10.2.6 Ability to add various formatting features such as
lines, boxes, shades etc.

87
Si System requirement/ Technical specification Bidder Bidder
compliance comments
No
(Yes/No)
10.2.7
10.2.8 The reporting feature should be able to provide
cross dimensional views of information.
10.3 The application should be able to export information
in various formats and also accept information from
different sources in standard formats.
10.4 The application should use an enterprise information
(or report) portal for publishing reports through a
single point access. The portal should support the
following features:
10.4.1 Support for personalization that provides links to
only those reports that the user is interested in
10.4.2 Support for grouping of various reports
10.4.3 Facility for search for a report based on name,
author or key word
10.4.4 Suggest and implement an appropriate Reporting
tool to handle the above requirements.

11. Other Features if any

(Signature)

(Name) (in the capacity of)

Duly authorized to sign Bid for and on behalf of the Principal Bidder.

88