NHAI Issues SOP on Experience Certificates for Similar Completed Works

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) continues to refine its procurement and qualification frameworks to ensure fairness, transparency, and efficiency in project award processes. Through Policy Circular bearing Reference No. 11.75/2025 dated September 12, 2025, NHAI has issued a clarification and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for submission and verification of Experience Certificates of similar completed works. This follows the Policy Circular bearing Reference No. 11.68/2025 dated August 6, 2025 (the “August Circular”), which modified the qualification criteria for Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) projects.  

Experience Certificates form a critical element in pre-qualification and evaluation stages, directly impacting bidder eligibility and competition. By standardizing their issuance and verification, NHAI seeks to minimize ambiguity, reduce fraudulent claims, and reinforce confidence in its contracting ecosystem.

The August Circular introduced modifications in the qualification criteria for HAM projects, particularly emphasizing consistency in evaluating prior experience. Building on this, the present circular provides detailed SOPs on the manner in which the Experience Certificates are to be submitted and verified for projects executed under NHAI as well as those completed under other government departments, concessionaires, or special purpose vehicles (SPVs).

Clarifications on NHAI executed projects: 

1. Issuance Post August Circular: Experience Certificates shall be issued by the concerned General Manager (Technical) (GMT) at NHAI Headquarters (HQ).
2. Certificates Issued Prior to August Circular: Bidders may continue to submit them in prescribed format, along with a copy of the earlier certificate, provided the bidder is satisfied that the project qualifies as “similar completed work.”
3. Verification Mechanism: The Technical Division at HQ receiving the bid will verify details with the concerned Project Director (PD). The PD must provide a signed PDF response within three days.
4. Avoiding Duplication: Where different Technical Divisions seek verification of the same project, the PD may indicate details of earlier verifications already carried out. If the major components align with those of the bid under consideration, the Technical Division may rely on such prior verification, thereby promoting efficiency and consistency.

Clarifications on projects executed by other entities: 

• Certificates Issued Prior to August Circular: Such certificates may be submitted by bidders in the prescribed format along with a copy of the issued certificate, duly certifying the correctness of the information. Any false or misleading information will be treated as fraud or corrupt practice, attracting action under Clauses 4.1 and 4.2 of the Request for Proposal (RFP).
• Certificates Issued On or After August Circular: Must strictly adhere to the prescribed format in Annexure-VII of Appendix 1A of the RFP.

To enhance efficiency, a time-bound process has been institutionalized for obtaining NHAI Experience Certificates post August Circular:

• The bidder/contractor shall submit a draft certificate by e-mail to the concerned GM (T) of the Project Division at HQ (not the bid-inviting Division).
• GM (T) would seek verification via e-mail through the PD from the authorised representative of the Authority’s Engineer/Independent Engineer (AE/IE).
• AE/IE and PD would verify and confirm the details, providing a signed PDF response within three days.
• GM (T) shall issue the final signed certificate (scanned PDF) within five days of receiving the bidder or contractor’s request.

Through this SOP, NHAI has closed long-standing gaps in the verification of bidder credentials, ensuring that Experience Certificates are uniform, reliable, and timely. By aligning the process with the modifications under the August Circular, the Authority has reinforced its commitment to procedural rigour, fair competition, and the integrity of the national highway procurement framework.