Model Contract for Maintenance of Roads (Based on single Percentage Rate)
2019 Edition

The bid submission under IRC SP 124 follows a structured process: First, single percentage rate bids are invited through an electronic tendering platform for specific road maintenance projects. Bidders must register online, obtain valid credentials, and pay the non-refundable document and processing fees. Eligibility requirements, including financial turnover and relevant experience, must be met. Bids are to be submitted exclusively online in the prescribed format, digitally signed by authorized representatives. Conditional or alternative bids are not accepted. Submissions must meet the deadline, after which technical and financial bids are opened electronically. Bid validity is maintained for 90 days, and bid security must be furnished as specified. Clarifications can be requested from the issuing authority prior to submission.

IRC SP 124 mandates that contractors demonstrate possession or lawful lease of essential equipment necessary for effective road maintenance, supported by documentary proof. Equipment quantities depend on project length, with mobile maintenance units ranging from one to three units for projects up to 300 km. Key machinery includes sensor pavers, vibratory and static rollers, bitumen sprayers, mechanical brooms, graders, water tankers, dewatering pumps, and hot mix plants. The contractor must maintain quality control as per an approved plan, with the Engineer responsible for verification. Insufficient or conditional evidence of equipment ownership or lease will result in bid disqualification.

Contractors engaged under IRC SP 124 must adhere to all applicable labour legislation enacted by central, state, and local authorities throughout the contract duration. This includes compliance with statutes such as the Factories Act, Minimum Wages Act, Payment of Wages Act, Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, Employees’ State Insurance Act, Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, and the Apprentices Act, among others. Contractors are obligated to indemnify the Employer against any penalties arising from non-compliance. Additionally, contractors are responsible for the recruitment, payment, welfare, and statutory compliance of their workforce and subcontractors’ personnel, who are not considered employees of the Employer.

Payments and performance security under IRC SP 124 are managed through clear requirements: Contractors must submit a performance security, typically 10% of the contract value, in the form of a bank guarantee or fixed deposit receipt payable to the Employer. This security must be provided within ten days of receiving the Letter of Acceptance and remain valid until 28 days after the defects liability period plus an additional three months for verification and contract formalities. Payments are made in Indian Rupees within 28 days following the Engineer’s certification. Performance securities safeguard the Employer against contractor defaults and ensure rectification of defects, with costs recoverable from the security as stipulated.

The contract prescribes specific standards for road maintenance to ensure quality and timely repairs. Key criteria include limiting potholes and edge cuts to no more than five per kilometer, with maximum individual pothole size capped at 300 square centimeters and 4 cm depth. Rutting should not exceed 2.5% of the sub-section length or 20 mm in depth, and patching must cover no more than 5% of the surface area per kilometer. Visual inspections are utilized for measurement, and maximum response time for repairs is two days, following MoRTH Clause 3004 guidelines. These standards ensure maintenance activities comply with IRC SP 124 and MoRTH specifications, supported by continuous monitoring and reporting.