S.No

Bid Clause referred

Clarification sought

Clarification

1

The bidder shall have an annual turnover of atleast 10 crores. Audited balance sheets for the last two years shall be enclosed as supporting document.

Can we bid as a consortium to satisfy the financial eligibility criteria as we satisfy all other criteria

Please refer clause 12.1. Bidder shall be a company registered & incorporated under the Indian companies act. No provision has been made for consortium

2

Generic statement

From the tender it is not clear as what is the type and category of the postal items to be tagged. Provide the pictures of the items to be tagged.

Please refer para-3 scope of work. RFID tag will be done for mail bags in phase I and II.  Department may decide to expand to each article in the registered and speed post.

For better clarity the bidder is at liberty to visit any of the Post office and see a mail bag.

3

Clause 6

We understand that IIT Kanpur has already done a pilot with Indian postal services.  If true, please provide details of the Pilot and the results for a proper solution for Deptt. Of Posts.

No pilot has been done with IIT Kanpur.

4

Clause 10.2

RFID infrastructure specifications are very detailed and may refer to a specific set of RFID Infrastructure component vendors.  If so, please provide the names of the RFID infrastructure component vendors.

The RFID infrastructure specifications are vendor neutral.   They are designed for interoperability.

5

Clause 10.2

Specifications ask for a life of 8 years for the RFID tags.  This is very high as per the RFID industry standards. Request you to reconsider the Tag life of 2 years considering the hard environmental condition in which these tags will be used.

The specification given is for storage life.  Actual life under working conditions is not specified in the EOI. 

6

Pilot test phase 1

What is the duration of the pilot testing? Is there any Business Blue printing ready with Deptt. of Post. Or will it be done by the vendors.

The different phases are envisaged to facilitate easy implementation of the RFID Technology. Hence the number of locations is limited in the first phase. The duration will be decided by DOP.

7

Pilot test phase 1

Please provide details of the scope of work for POC.

No POC stage has been provided in the EOI. In Phase I the RFID System has to be implemented in the four metro cities. 

8

Clause 7

Please provide more details on existing tracking software.  This is required to enable the vendors to identify the integration requirements.

The software used has been developed in-house.  However a brief is attached.

9

Clause 7

We assume that integration with existing tracking system is not in the scope for the pilot testing phase. Please confirm.

Integration with the existing tracking software is part of the scope of work. 

10

Section 5, point 6

Middleware: SmartRF from IIT Kanpur: the API specifications were not available from the site http://www.cse.iitk.ac.in/and we need more details.

The API specifications have since been uploaded in India Post website.

11

Section 5, point 7

Existing Software used by Postal department: Details of the application software platform software and architecture including database and integration approach are not provided and are required for optimal integration approach.

The software used has been developed in-house.  However a brief is attached.

12

Section 10.3

HF Contactless smart Cards: What is the purpose of this card in overall solution and where is it proposed to be used and why.

The smart cards will be used to carry the postal manifest. It is proposed to be used at places where the bags are closed and opened. 

13

Section 10.2

RFID Reader – UHF Vicinity Reader: Low Noise Transmitter Architecture for better performance.

More detail/clarity for the above specification is needed.

The transmitter with the high level of noise does not provide a reliable read range. The noise should be low to ensure reliability in the read range. 

14

Section 10.3

HF Proximity Readers: Moveable within the range of 2 meters 

• Is this a fixed reader.
• What is the meaning of moveable – is it do with the interface and power cable.

It is not necessarily a fixed reader. The interface chord should be long to be able to move the reader around by atleast two meters. This has been specified in the same section.

15

Section 10.3

HF Proximity Readers: PC/SC compliant Reader drivers for the PCs needed.

What is the meaning of PC/SC

PCSC is a standard API for integration of smart cards with the applications.

16

Section 12

Experience & Provenness: Iris has since last 7 years successfully executed several RFID projects in excess of Rs. 50 lakhs for a wide variety of clients in USA whose reference can be provided. 

Can such work done in India for overseas clients quality for the eligibility of Rs. 50 lakhs of projects executed in India. 

Indian experience is necessary. Alternatively any experience with postal administration in successful implementation of RFID system for mail article/ bag tracking will be considered.

17

Page 6

UHF Proximity Readers: Instead of integrated reader and antennae, can we have them as separate or can they be enclosed in the box together.

UHF proximity reader is meant for article tracking solution. This will be needed as and when department decides to expand the project to implement RFID solution for select category of postal articles.  

18

Page 6

What is the role of smart Card and Smart Card reader.

The smart cards will be used to carry the postal manifest. It is proposed to be used at places where the bags are closed and opened. 

19

Page 6

UHF Proximity Readers: Can the power consumption for both type of RFID reader can be Max 20 W. We would use the same reader for both Proximity and vicinity and change the antennae so we request to keep the max power at 20 W.

UHF proximity reader is meant for article tracking solution. This will be needed as and when department decides to expand the project to implement RFID solution for select category of postal articles.  

20

4.

UHF Vicinity Reader: Mentioned as Wall mount with minimum four antennae. Please specify that each antenna should be receiving as well sending the signals. (There are Readers which have different Antennae for receiving and sending signals. So if you want 4 antennae, in this case it will actually be only 2 for receiving and 2 for sending.

Four antennae are needed for receiving and sending each.

21

5.

Hopping spectrum is not allowed??

This is indicative and can be altered in consultation with vendors during the RFP stage if not permitted in India by regulatory authorities.

22

6.

Is it necessary to specify the Product name or just the compliance should be sufficient. In the case of tags and Labels the products are customized as per the requirement so the Produce code or model No. at this point might not exist.

Technical specifications are to be mentioned

23

7.

UHF Tags: Since there are many players making these tags so we request you to keep options in the tag specification so can these be as below

1. Can the UHF tag be Etched antenna on plastic substrate or instead of printed antenna on paper substrate.
2. Can the option be given to supply either in Reel or sheet.
3. Can we have slightly bigger size of the tags 9.2cm X 2.4cm (as of now what is mentioned in max 8X4 cm)

For paper tags, the adhesive bonding is low in case of plastic substrate. Paper tags shall be needed for article tracking solution as and when department decides to expand the project to implement RFID solution for select category of postal articles. However, Options will be kept open.

24

10.1 Paper substrate with printed antenna

Does it mean- paper face stock, with printed/ etched antenna on PET substrate sandwiched between paper and liner backing? Kindly clarify

Paper tags shall be needed for article tracking solution as and when department decides to expand the project to implement RFID solution for select category of postal articles. However, Options will be kept open.

25

Pre-programmed read-only RFID tags in GIAI-96 UID format (actual bit pattern to be provided later)

Are you looking for the customization to be done by SI, as manufacturer cannot supply this kind of pre-requisite, to do this RFID printer would be required. Kindly clarify

The tags are to be supplied by the vendor with the tags carrying the GIAI-96 coding that shall be specified later.

26

Pre-printed bar code n the top in UPU S10 format (the actual range to be provided later).  The bit pattern of the tag to correlate to the pre-printed bar code.  The mapping shall be fixed and will be specified to the successful bidder.

Are you looking for the customization to be done by SI, as manufacturer cannot supply this kind of pre-requisite, to do this  RFID printer would be required. Kindly clarify

The tags are to be supplied by the vendor with the tags carrying the GIAI-96 coding that shall be specified later.

27

Adhesive bonding to the paper envelopes, water and heat proof. The bonding life at least one year.

For paper face stock lable, guarantee of bonding adhesive is not possible; instead vinyl/ polyster face stock is recommended for heat and water proofing. Cost for the same is very high. Kindly clarify the same.

Paper tags shall be needed for article tracking solution as and when department decides to expand the project to implement RFID solution for select category of postal articles. However, Options will be kept open.

28

The tags to be supplied in sheet form with was paper backing Maximum physical dimensions: 8cm by 4cm.

Standard labels are provided in roll format only by all reputed makers. Would you like the SI to cut and provide after customization?

Yes

29

Inlay to be embedded in plastic in ISO7810 ID-1 format.  The chosen RFID tags are should be weather proof which works in harsh conditions like high temperature, high humidity/rain and metal environment. The encased tag shall be rugged enough for durable use in an industrial environment. Pre-programmed RFID read-only tags in GIAI-96 UID format (actual bit pattern to be provided later)

ISO 7810-ID1 (85x54, credit card size), for such a tag ruggedity and industrial environment use cannot be guaranteed, as this is a standard. For pre- programming endcoder system would be required or card printer with UHF encode is required. Kindly clarify the same.

This is indicative. Exact specifications on size may be worked out during the RFP stage.

30

Pre-printed bar code on the top in UPU-S10 format (the actual range to be provide later).  The bit pattern of the tag to correlate to the pre-printed bar code. The mapping shall be fixed and will be specified to the successful bidder.

Are you looking for the customization to be done by SI, as manufacturer cannot supply this kind fo pre-requisite and card printer would be required for this activity? Kindly clarify.

The tags are to be supplied by the vendor with the tags carrying the GIAI-96 coding that shall be specified later.

31

Maximum thickness: 760 micron

Typically 0.3”= 762 micron

762 micron is alright.

32

Read range: Minimum 6 m.

With what reader and antenna: proximity/ vicinity?

Vicinity reader

33

Tag material: Plastic

Normally PET/ PVC is used which is and engineered plastic. Kindly amend the same.

For plastic tag, anything is fine. For paper substrate tags, paper is needed.

34

10.3. HF Contactless smart cards.

The technical specifications are the following.

35

Operative frequency of 13.57 MHz.

Generally it is 13.56 Mhz as center frequency. Kindly amend the same.

13.56 is the right frequency.

36

Plastic embedded with contactless interface compliant to ISO14443-3/4 Type A or ISO144443-3/4 Type B)

ISO – 14443A/B is Mifare technology

ISO-14443A/B is the ISO specified standard.

37

Pre-printed with Department of Post Logo on the front.

SI will have to do this customization using a card printer or get them offset printed. Maker normally provides blank white

The Logo will be supplied by DOP before printing or sticker can also be affixed.

38

Dimensions as specified in ISO7810 ID-1 specifications

ISO7810-ID1 (85x54, credit size)

Yes

39

Water resistance. The cards to operate even after being submerged in water at 30C for one hour.

Subjective, might be difficult to guarantee, but should be OK. Kindly share a use case of this test.

This is based on the use conditions at DoP.

40

Maximum thickness: 760 micron

Typically 0.3”=762 micron

762 microns is OK.

41

Minimum read range: 10 cm

With what reader: proximity or vicinity?

Proximity readers as given in the EOI.

42

10. 1RFID readers. Frequency of operation : 865-867MHz

OK. Generally it is 865-868 MHz, as standard available products

865-868 MHz is OK.

43

10.2. UHF Vicinity Readers

The technical specifications are the following.

44

Frequency of operation:UHF 865-867MHz.

OK. Generally it is 865-868 MHz, as standard available products

865-868 MHz is OK

45

LED indicators: Power, RF power communication diagnosis of reader operation with each antenna status

Why each antenna indicator is required? This is brand specific requirement such as like Impinj/ Thingmagic. Power/ Error/ Tag Read is generally available in all.

For diagnosis purposes, the LED indicators are needed. Many reader brands provide this.

46

Read Range: Nominal 0 to 6m under ideal conditions

OK, tag and antenna dependent

Yes.

47

Low noise Transmitters architecture for better read performance

Need clarity. What is the specification parameter for this?

The transmitter with the high level of noise does not provide a reliable read range. The noise should be low to ensure reliability in the read range. 

48

Robust lockable, aluminum die casing for usage in rough office environments

Kindly clarify the lockable part?

Lockable to ensure protection against thefts. Other mechanisms for physical protection are also fine.

49

10.3. Moveable within the range of 2 meters.

Cannot understand, the meaning of moveable here, is it do with the interface and power cable..?

It is not necessarily a fixed reader. The interface chord should be long to be able to move the reader around by atleast two meters. This has been specified in the same section.

50

Read Range: Nominal 0 to 10cm under ideal conditions

OK, with HF contactless cards

No clarification is needed.

51

ISO10373 compliant test passed

This is applicable to card. Not the readers.

This is true. The ISO10373 test is for the cards and is not applicable to readers.

52

12.0. Bidder must have a sound and well-documented Quality Framework. The bidder should have ISO 9001:2000 or equivalent certification. The bidder should accordingly submit a copy of certificate to the effect.

1. Can we bid as a consortium for this EOI? If yes, then can either of the company carry the ISO certificate or the prime bidder should have the ISO certificate?

Or

2. Can we submit the applied for ISO certificate stating that we will submit the original ISO certificate before the award of work?

No

53

Page 12. Annexure II. Latest valid income tax certificate (ITCC) preferable with details  of turnover

The Central Board of Direct Taxes vide notification has abolished the scheme of accepting income tax clearance certificate. Instead we will be submitting our latest income tax return. We are requesting you to accept the same

This is acceptable.

54

Article 10 page4. UHF Tags

Kindly clarify, since there are many players making these tags so we request you to keep options in the tag specification so can these be as below

1. Can the UHF tag be etched antenna on plastic substrate or instead of printed antenna on paper substrate
2. Can the option be given to supply wither in reel or sheet
3. Can we have slightly bigger size of the tags 9.2 cmx 2.4 cm (as of now what is mentioned is max. 8x4 cm)

For paper tags, the plastic substrate will not provide good bonding. For plastic tags, plastic substrate is alright. Paper tags are needed for article tracking solution. This will be needed as and when department decides to expand the project to implement RFID solution for select category of postal articles.  

55

Article 10.1 page 6. UHF Proximity Readers, desk top model with in-built antenna

Kindly clarify instead of integrated reader and antenna, can we have them as separate or can they be enclosed in the box together?

Integrated reader will have advantage of saving space on desktop. This will be needed as and when department decides to expand the project to implement RFID solution for select category of postal articles.

56

Article 10.3

Page5&7. HC contactless smart cards and HF Proximity Readers

Kindly clarify, what is the role of smart card and smart card reader?

The smart cards will be used to carry the postal manifest. It is proposed to be used at places where the bags are closed and opened.

57

Article 10.1

Page 6. UHF Proximity Readers, power consumption not exceeding 8W

Kindly clarify, can the power consumption for both type of RFID reader can be Max 20 W? we would use the same reader for both proximity and vicinity and we will change the antenna only. So we request to keep the max power at 20 W.

20W power for a proximity reader is too high. A vicinity reader in place of proximity reader will read tags from larger distances which is not desirable.

58

Article 10.2

Page 6. UHF Vicinity Reader, Wall mount with minimum four antennae

Please specify that each antenna should be receiving as well sending the signals? (There are Readers which have different Antennae for receiving and sending signals. So if you want 4 antennae, in this case it will actually be only 2 for receiving and 2 for sending).

Assumption is correct.

59

Article 10.1 & 10.2 page 6. Hopping spread spectrum

Kindly clarify, Hopping spectrum is not allowed in India??

This is indicative and can be altered in consultation with vendors during the RFP stage if not permitted in India by regulatory authorities.

60

Article 10.3 page5. HF contactless smart cards weather resistant with a life cycle of at least 10 years

Please clarify, how does DoP want to ensure that the card to be used will have a durability of 10 years as specified? It should n’t happen that we get the best things involved and design the cards and some one with 70% less cost comes over and just says that it will work. In case we want to increase the durability of the card we can go for better plastic coating which may not follow the ISO 7810 specs

10 years life cycle on the chip is necessary. The cards are likely to be reused for several years.

61

Article 10.3 page5. P HF contactless smart cards, Processor Cards with at least 32 KB of EEPROM memory

Please clarify, why a 32 KB card…what exactly is the use. We can understand the use of other things but not a memory card of 32KB. Are people going to hold these cards or these cards will be tied to the bags?

Cards shall be attached to the bag.

62

Article 3

Page 3. HF Contactless smart cards and HF Proximity Readers

Please clarify, what is the quantity of cards/ tags/ readers that we are looking for phase I & II.

The details on cities have been specified in the EOI. The exact number may vary from city and city.

63

Article 13 & Annexure II. Technical specifications of the equipment proposed to be used and listed in Annexure IV

Please clarify, is it necessary to specify the product name or just the compliance should be sufficient? In the case of tags and labels the products are customized as per the requirement so the product code or model no. at this point might not exist.

Technical specification and not the product name are to be provided.

64

Clause 12

If the bidder ties up with a company for participation in this EOI with a MOU/ agreement clearly stating the said agreement will be for the entire contract period, will the same be accepted to Department of Posts

The bidder has to fulfill all the pre-qualification criteria.

65

Page 9. The bidder must have adequate domain expertise demonstrated by at least one commercial implantation of RFID system for tracking monitoring in India to the tune of Rs. 50 lakhs

We request India Post to change the pre-qualification criteria and allow the bidder to showcase global experience

Indian experience is necessary. Alternatively any experience with postal administration in successful implementation of RFID system for mail article/ bag tracking will be considered.

66

Page 9. The bidder shall also supply documentary evidence/verifiable reference (name, address, telephone no., web-site address and e-mail-id) of the customer(s) referred to above for enabling assessment of the performance.

Due to non-disclosure agreements with our customers we would not able to disclose all the information asked.

Request you to accept following as part of proof of our work.

1. Detailed case studies explaining its experience in similar field
2. Declaration letter by authorized signatory from bidders organisation on financial details

We only ask for verifiable references or list of customers whom the vendor provided similar solution .The case studies will not do.

67

The company in India is represented by its 100% subsidiary.  In addition company’s responsibility is to portfolio developed globally. The company in India is a start-up company and has not yet started commercial operations. The EOI asks for local turnover/project done locally in RFID

If DoP can consider the technical & financial strength of the group company

EOI Conditions on this score is self explanatory

68

Number of Handheld devices (Proximity readers) needed per depot?

1 to 2

69

Number of Fixed readers (Vicinity readers) needed per depot?

1 to 2

70

Are there 30000 mailbags handheld in each depots or in the entire network?

In the entire Network

71

What is the use of HF contactless smart cards?

The smart cards will be used to carry the postal manifest. It is proposed to be used at places where the bags are closed and opened.

72

Is Article Tracking for Phase 1 and 2 or a later improvement?

Article tracking may be decided after phase I & II.

73

In the EOI we are asked to provide (list in the appendix), the specifications of the material we plan to use for the project. It is difficult to give detailed specifications of the Hardware we will use without knowing exactly the process and the functionalities they need.

The objectives, scope of work and the basic requirements are detailed in EOI.

74

1.

The  company with headquarters in foreign country and registered and incorporated office in India, under the Indian Companies Act, 1956.  Since the Indian office Is newly established,  it does not comply with the required annual turnover of INR 10 Crores and delivery of balance sheets for the last 2 years.  However, our foreign country  offices deliver a yearly turnover of USD 40 million + and it is expected that the Indian Office will catch up soon. Please indicate if the company is compliant to the requirements in the EOI and if our reply will be considered?

This is not a clarification sought on EOI. No decision as to whether the company complies with pre-qualification requirements can be given at this stage.

75

2.

The  company is ISO 9001-2000 certified and we expect this to be compliant with the EOI requirements?

No decision as to whether the company complies with pre-qualification requirements can be given at this stage.

76

3

The company has not yet a pan and service tax registration number in India, but we expect to receive it soon. We do have this for all other offices in the world. Is this compliant to the EOI requirements?

No decision as to whether the company complies with pre-qualification requirements can be given at this stage.

77

4.

The company currently works with a number of partners in India that among others can handle hardware sourcing, local project management, training, installation, service and support of RFID T&T solutions. If the company does not comply with the EOI requirements as described above, we suggest to ask one our partners to front a consortium so we will become compliant. Please advice if we are compliant if we reply to EOI with an Indian partner? If yes, can the company front this consortium or should we reply as a sub-contractor?

The bidder has to fulfill the pre-qualification criteria laid in the EOI

78

5.

Regarding the delivery of the reply to EOI we would kindly ask if we can hand in the reply personally instead of submitting by speed Post/Registered Mail? Alternatively can we submit our reply via an international courier company such as DHL, TNT.

It can be sent by courier also.