The Maharashtra government has introduced a performance-based rating system for contractors handling infrastructure projects worth Rs 500 crore or more, with the aim of improving quality, timely completion, safety, transparency and accountability. The Public Works Department issued a Government Resolution outlining an objective framework under which contractors will be assessed on their actual performance during project execution.

Public Works Minister Shivendrasinhraje Bhosale said the system would add performance evaluation to the existing assessment of contractors' technical and financial capabilities during the tender process. Contractors will now be evaluated on parameters including quality of construction, adherence to deadlines, safety standards, compliance with contractual conditions and overall project management.

The framework will apply to upcoming tenders for projects with an estimated cost or tender value of Rs 500 crore or more. It will cover departments, government corporations, development authorities and local self-government institutions across Maharashtra, including the Public Works Department, MSRDC, MSIDC, MMRDA, CIDCO, Maha-Metro, MHADA, the Water Resources Department and other concerned agencies.

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Contractors bidding for eligible projects will have to submit valid Performance Certificates for qualifying projects that they have completed or are currently executing. These certificates will be issued by an officer of at least Chief Engineer rank or equivalent and will record details including project delays, the nature and extent of delays, quality standards and overall performance. The certificates will remain valid for 12 months, while the absence of a valid certificate for an ongoing project could affect the contractor's bid-capacity calculation.

Each eligible project will be evaluated out of 100 marks, with 30 marks assigned to completion within the stipulated time, 60 marks to quality of work and 10 marks to maintenance-period or overall performance. Based on the weighted average of eligible projects, contractors will be placed in Green, Yellow or Red categories. Green-rated contractors scoring more than 80 marks will face standard tender conditions, while Yellow-rated contractors scoring more than 60 but below 80 marks will face Performance Security and Additional Performance Security requirements set at 1.10 times the amount specified in the tender.

Contractors scoring below 60 marks will be placed in the Red Category and declared ineligible to participate in the tender process. The assessment will rely on official and verifiable records, including progress reports, quality and safety test results, non-conformance registers, site inspection reports, engineers' reports, review-meeting records, completion certificates, defect-rectification records and digital construction data. Bhosale maintained that major infrastructure projects must be delivered not only on schedule but also with high quality, safety, durability and transparency.

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