SOP Prescribed for Issuance of Experience Certificates to Contractors in HAM Projects

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), vide Policy Circular bearing reference no. 11.110/2026 dated September 15, 2026 (“Circular”), has prescribed a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for issuance of experience certificates to contractors or Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractors engaged by Central/State Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), such as IRCON, RVNL and others, in Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) Projects. The SOP seeks to establish a uniform process for issuance of such certificates based on verification of the relevant project and contractual records.

The Circular follows deliberations in NHAI’s Executive Committee Meetings held on July 23, September 3 and September 10, 2026. Under the SOP, NHAI shall issue experience certificates to the concerned PSU and the Contractor/EPC Contractor engaged by it through an open competitive bidding process.

For issuance of an experience certificate, the concerned PSU is required to submit a proposal to NHAI containing:

1. copy of the NIT/RFP issued for engagement of the EPC Contractor/Contractor;
2. copy of the Letter of Award (LoA) issued to the EPC Contractor/Contractor;
3. copy of the EPC Agreement/Agreement/Work Order executed with the EPC Contractor/Contractor; and
4. the value and scope of work executed, along with a draft experience certificate in the format prescribed under NHAI Policy Circular No. 11.68/2025 dated August 6, 2025.

The SOP permits issuance of two experience certificates in respect of a single HAM Project: one to the EPC Contractor, i.e. the Central/State PSU which is also the Promoter or Concessionaire, and another to the Contractor engaged by such EPC Contractor. The issuance of the latter certificate does not affect the EPC Contractor’s contractual responsibility or liability under the HAM Agreement, and any default under its separate arrangement with the Contractor shall not relieve the EPC Contractor of its obligations under the Agreement.

The SOP applies to HAM Projects where the Appointed Date has been declared before September 15, 2026. For projects where the Appointed Date is yet to be declared, the concerned PSU shall obtain prior NHAI approval for engagement of the Contractor for issuance of Experience Certificates. The SOP does not apply to Contractors/EPC Contractors engaged by private entities or by EPC Contractors or Concessionaires of ongoing HAM Projects.