Installation companies operating in the solar sector can take advantage of opportunities in the photovoltaic market by opening bids from public institutions and agencies throughout the country. This type of competition is an istrative and formal procedure, generally carried out by public authorities, in which the conditions of a service, acquisitions or price registration for contracts are presented in advance.
At the end of the process, the body or institution responsible for the bidding process will select the proposal that meets the criteria established by the notice. In an interview with Canal Solar, Fábio Delgado, commercial director of Techlux Distributor, commented on how companies in the solar segment that are interested in participating in bidding processes can follow and participate in bids.
What is your experience in bidding processes?
Techlux has extensive experience in serving companies that have won competitive bidding processes. We have sold equipment to several clients that supply for bidding processes. They usually request all relevant documentation for the s and inverters to meet the minimum technical requirements.
Based on your expertise, which bidding categories can installation companies participate in?
Almost all. Normally, in very large processes two bids are made, one to supply the equipment and another to provide the service. However, most city halls or agencies, whether municipal, state or federal, already bid for the entire context, which includes photovoltaic material, electrical material for interconnection to the electrical grid and installation and connection engineering services with concessionaire, and monitoring of generation after switching on for at least the service warranty period. Typically, notices request from participating companies the technical collection of installations of plants of the same size to learn about the company's experience in providing the service.
In general, what criteria do companies need to meet to participate in the bidding process? Is there any requirement for the company to qualify?
Yes, technical data from previous projects is usually required. Minimum performance requirements and warranties are also required for equipment. In other words, photovoltaic equipment requires the technical characteristics appropriate for the future generation required. For example, inverters and modules require technical specifications related to conversion performance, INMETRO, international certificates, among others.
How can an integrator/EPCist company stand out in this segment in Brazil?
In fact, we have noticed that the more an EPC contractor participates in bids, the more he learns and increases his knowledge base to be able to participate in larger ones. The EPC contractor learns in the context of the bidding process, but he also often helps public agencies that do not have this expertise. Most public agencies, before publishing a notice for the purchase of the system, first contract a photovoltaic project correctly specifying each technical characteristic appropriate to the phases of supply of the work, and the acceptable generation levels after its completion.
Tips and guidance
Aiming to assist companies that want to participate in tenders, SEBRAE (Brazilian Service for Micro and Small Businesses) listed the main requirements required of companies:
Legal Qualification: It is necessary to the legality of the company, the sector in which it operates and the corporate situation. Proof is through the presentation of documents required by law, such as the articles of incorporation and its amendments ed with a notary or commercial board.
Technical qualification: confirms the company's technical capacity to provide the negotiated service or product. Such qualification is proven by documents proving aptitude, technical reports, statements or documents that prove such skills.
Economic-financial qualification: the company needs to prove that it has the financial conditions to supply. The company's ant must be up to date with the balance sheet documentation, present ing documentation from the last fiscal year and a negative bankruptcy certificate. The company's minimum share capital or equity may also be required.
Tax compliance: it is necessary to present proof of registration and certificates that prove tax regularity, such as the CNPJ card (National of Legal Entities); Regularity with the Treasury at all levels, national, state and municipal.
Furthermore, SEBRAE informs that it is necessary to present the certificate relating to contributions to the INSS (National Institute of National Insurance) that proves regularity regarding social security; and the regularity regarding the FGTS (Guarantee Fund for Length of Service).
Furthermore, in order for the company to obtain the certificates, it is necessary to prove that taxes, fees and social charges have been paid. Furthermore, it is recommended that prior research be carried out on the future client. The research is important to the financial situation, obtain business references and perform a risk analysis.
