Food Corporation of India Tenders: Registration, Requirements and Application

The Food Corporation of India or FCI is a government-owned corporation established in 1965 and operates under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. FCI’s primary purpose is to ensure the nation’s food security by executing the food policies of the government of India. Its objectives are to implement price support systems to protect the interests of farmers, distribution of food grains throughout the country and maintaining a reasonable level of operational and buffer stocks of food grains to ensure price stability and national food security throughout. FCI tenders offer significant business opportunities for contractors as they have large contract values, long-term engagements and high financial value and profitability.

Types of FCI Tenders

• Handling and Transportation – Includes contracts for loading, unloading, handling and transportation of food grains from procurement centres to storage places and onward to distribution points.
• Warehousing Services – Involves FCI tenders for hiring and managing warehouses and godowns and services like preservation, insurance and security.
• Goods Transport Services – Include contracts related to transportation of food grains, often on a per metric ton basis, between FCI depots to other agencies.
• Manpower Outsourcing Services – FCI tenders also invite manpower services for various types of tasks like handling, loading, unloading, driving, security, accounting, quality checks etc.
• Civil Works and Maintenance – These FCI tenders include construction and maintenance of FCI infrastructure like roads, weighbridges, warehouses, godowns etc.
• Technical Services – These are FCI tenders inviting services for installation and maintenance of equipment, adherence to specifications during construction works, technology, IT services and miscellaneous services like BFM warehousing, pest control, quality testing of food grains, security systems, repair and recalibration of equipment etc.
• Security Services – FCI requires security services for taking care of their depots, offices, godowns and warehouses.
• Supply of Goods – These include FCI tenders related to procurement of various kinds of goods and equipment.
• Lease of Spaces – Unused spaces and lands are sometimes let out for leasing and you will come across such tenders as well.

Registration for Procurement of FCI eTenders

FCI etenders are published on government portals like CPPP and GeM. Central Public Procurement Portal or CPPP is the primary online platform mandated by the Government of India for all ministries and departments to publish their tenders on it. GeM is also an online platform for public procurement of goods and services by government entities and organisations in the country. FCI, being a government-owned corporation, utilises both these platforms to publish their tenders.

Browse both the websites and after selecting a relevant tender, register on that particular portal. Register by clicking on New Registration. You will be asked to provide details like –

• Name of the organisation
• Type of organisation
• Address
• Contact person’s details like name, designation, phone and email
• GST and PAN card details
• Aadhaar copy
• Username and password
• Address proof of the organisation
• Company registration documents
• Partnership deed (if applicable)
• Class III DSC certificate

Once you submit these business details, your account will be verified and you will receive your login credentials.

List of Documentation During Application for FCI eTenders

Once you receive your login credentials, sign in and go to the tender. Then, follow the link and fill out the financial and technical details. Listed below are the required documents –

Financial Documents

• Proof of EMD
• Acknowledgement of Tender Processing Fee
• Details of your bank account
• GST returns for the specified period
• Net Worth Certificate from a registered CA

Technical Documents

• Tender Acceptance Letter
• Work Experience Certificates
• Bill of Quantities as prescribed in the FCI tender document
• Detailed plan of the project
• Technical Specifications like equipment manufacturer’s certificate

It’s important to keep checking the amendments and corrigenda to keep abreast with any modification in the FCI Tenders and update your submissions accordingly.

Key Points to Remember

• A Class III Digital Signature Certificate with both signing and encryption capabilities is necessary for any e-tendering in India including for FCI etenders.
• Scanned copies of all documents mentioned above must be kept ready in your systems in the prescribed formats for easy uploading.
• Businesses must read the tender documents carefully and assess if they are eligible, technically sound and have the expertise to complete the projects mentioned in the FCI tenders.

FCI Tenders With BidAssist

BidAssist is an online platform that aggregates tenders from various sources including FCI etenders. Just register on the website and get free access to all types of FCI tenders. Select specific keywords like FCI warehousing or FCI transportation, or simply select from the list of filters provided like Authority (Food Corporation of India), City, State, Category, Tender Amount and start searching for relevant FCI tenders for your business. You can download the tender documents by simply clicking on the option at the bottom right and access all the information regarding the tender. Currently, you can more than 500 active FCI tenders on BidAssist, with varying tender amounts ranging from a few thousands to crores, opening doors for all businesses – big and small.

If you are interested in getting all the latest updates for some FCI etenders, all you need to do is just “follow” those tenders. Then you will start getting notifications about the tender, be it about change of dates, corrigenda, result declaration, technical qualifications and of course, the final result declaration.