Monday, December 5, 2011

Ongoing survey results preview on MP Distribution Franchisee bidding

A lot anxiety is getting build amongst the bidders and general observers of Madhya Pradhesh Distribution Franchisee bidding. With expected fourth revision in the RFP, there is a silence from MP Govt. side on the topic and next steps including tentative dates. Industry internal resources have pointed that the issue is on hold for cabinet approval. While on one side there is eagerness in existing MP Govt. to see all 9 districts see bidding before next election in 2013. However on other side, there is a fear to enter newly into this very emerging DF business model, when not much of performance (both pros and cons) clearly established from existing operating DFs. Their main concern being "How to protect utility's interest in this long tenure contract with private DF operators?". See our earlier blog Pre-Bid conference take-away from Madhya Pradesh Distribution Franchisee bids.

Keeping this in view, pManifold team floated an online survey of top management of prospective bidder companies (some 30+) for ongoing 3 regions (Gwalior, Ujjain and Sagar) DF bidding. This is an independent survey conducted to increase the understanding of Bidder's issues for MP Distribution Franchisee Bidding and taking it rightly with the policy makers. The responses so far collected are from established companies in the power sector and who have taken this pre-bidding phase very diligently. While not all prospective bidders have responded so far, the results are looking interesting and it is requested that those remaining also take upon this survey soon to let your voice resonate and influence design of RFP revisions. (see survey link. Please note that no personal identification is requested)

Some key questions that this survey intends to find opinion of bidders keeping in mind the ongoing MP bids revisions:

  1. Qualification criterion improvements
  2. Top viability concerns
  3. Anomalies in existing RFP and suggestive key changes
  4. Improvement suggestions to baseline data
  5. Overall satisfaction with MP bidding and stakeholder engagement process
The so far collected response has following highlights:
  • 50% entering first time into the DF bidding
  • 67% of participants qualifies both technically and financially
  • Only 33% are sure for bidding, while rest are still deciding
  • Most interested in Gwalior, followed by Ujjain and then Sagar
  • Almost all satisfied with financial qualification criterion
  • 33% dissatisfied with Technical qualification criterion
  • 33% dissatisfied with the overall bidding process
Some key concerns raised by survey participants:
  • Most finds high mandated capex, strict reduction target and unreliable baseline as serious viability concern. Most understand importance of improved customer services and has seeked more clarity on customer satisfaction performance and evaluation.
  • Major pre-bid support request from bidders is to have certified joint audit of baseline (specially ABR) and guaranteed power supply and non-performing clauses for utility made clear. 
  • Many of them find R-APDRP linkage with DF performance and evaluation not fit, given R-APDRP assets have not been kept well
  • There are requests to further improve transparency in the bidding process and keep all participating pre-bidders well informed on steps, delays, and broad reasons etc. in bid process handling. 

We hope that these results further aid planning and improved design of DF process, possibly the coming RFP revision for MP bids. With this broad objective to support scale-up of DF model, we request DF bidders community to participate actively in this survey and share their non-confidential learnings. (Please click here to take online survey)

Post by Rahul Bagdia @ pManifold

pManifold's services in Distribution Franchisee space: 

1 comment:

  1. I read this article, this article very informative and interesting..I refer your blog to many of my friends as well.
    Thanks for sharing knowledge..

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