Initial Examination to determine substantial responsiveness.

(1) The Tender Inviting Authority shall cause an initial examination of the tenders submitted to be carried out by the Tender Scrutiny and Evaluation Committee in order to determine their substantial responsiveness. (2) The initial examination shall consider the following factors, namely:- (a) Whether the tenderer meets the eligibility criteria laid down in the tender documents; (b) (i) Whether the crucial documents have been duly signed; (ii) Whether the documents have been authenticated by digital signature, in the case of tenders submitted through electronic mail in the designated website. (c) Whether the requisite Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) with appropriate validity has been furnished; (d) Whether the tender is substantially responsive to the technical specifications and commercial conditions set out in the tender documents. (3) Tenders which on initial examination are found not to be substantially responsive under any of the clauses under sub-rule (2) shall be rejected by the Tender Accepting Authority and not taken up for further scrutiny.