NHAI Modifies Technical Eligibility Criteria for EPC Projects of Utmost Priority

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), vide Policy Circular bearing reference no. 11.113/2026 dated September 26, 2026 (the “Circular”), has introduced modified technical eligibility criteria under Clause 2.2.2.2(ii) of the RFP for Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) projects identified as being of utmost priority. The modification is aimed at ensuring that bidders demonstrate experience of completing similar projects within the original contractual timelines and reducing uncertainty regarding timely project execution.

The Circular notes that instances had been observed where bidders relied upon Completion Certificates (CC)/Provisional Completion Certificates (PCC) issued to sub-contractors or individual Joint Venture (JV) members for portions of work executed by them. NHAI has clarified that such certificates do not establish completion of the project as a whole or demonstrate the concerned entity’s ability to safely and reliably execute all major project components within the prescribed timelines.

Accordingly, for such projects, Clause 2.2.2.2(ii) of the RFP may be modified as follows:

1. the bidder must have at least one completed project, evidenced by a CC/PCC issued to the Contractor/Concessionaire within the Original Scheduled Completion Date + 90 days where the project was executed on HAM, or a CC issued within the Original Scheduled Completion Date + 30 days where the project was executed on EPC mode, in each case without any Extension of Time (EOT);
2. the qualifying project must be a National Highway or Expressway with 4-lane or higher configuration, and the value of work must be at least 35% of the Estimated Project Cost, exclusive of GST;
3. if the quoted eligible project is a JV project, approval from the government authority is required and the said project will be restricted to JV share in original contract; and
4. the completed project must fall within the last five financial years preceding the Bid Due Date or up to the Bid Due Date, as applicable.

The Circular further clarifies that “similar completed work” must comprise work components similar to those for which the bid is invited, and execution of work that does not include all major components will not qualify as completion of similar work. Bidders are also required to submit the prescribed experience details along with the relevant statutory auditor/client certificate. For projects executed by NHAI, the Experience Certificate shall be issued by the concerned GM (Technical) at NHAI HQ based on the recommendation of the Project Director.

Work executed solely as a sub-contractor shall not be reckoned as eligible work for qualification under Clause 2.2.2.2(ii). Similarly, CC/PCC issued to a sub-contractor or an individual JV member shall not be considered for establishing the requisite eligible project experience.

The modified criteria may be adopted case-by-case across NHAI for such projects, subject to approval of the Competent Authority. NHAI has directed all concerned officers to ensure strict compliance while drafting and approving RFPs for such priority projects.