Schedule of Request for Qualification (RFQ).

(1) The following minimum periods shall be allowed by the Tender Inviting Authority while determining the schedule of Request for Qualification stage: (a) The due date shall ordinarily be not earlier than 8 (eight) weeks from the date of advertisement or notification of the Request for Qualification (RFQ) whichever is later; (b) Pre-submission meeting, if any, shall be held at least 3 (three) weeks before the due date; (c) The clarifications on the queries of Applicants shall be issued not less than 1 (one) week before the due date; and (d) Corrigenda or notifications of amendments in the Request for Qualification (RFQ) shall be issued not less than 1 (one) week before the due date. (2) In exceptional cases, the Tender Inviting Authority may at the time of issuing the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) reduce the minimum time limits prescribed in sub-rule (1) for reasons to be recorded in writing and with the prior permission of the authority superior to the Tender Inviting Authority: Provided that in no case shall the due date be advanced after the publication of the notification or advertisement of the Request for Qualification (RFQ): Provided further that in cases where the tender documents require the clearance of the Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Development Board under the Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Development Act (Tamil Nadu Act 22 of 2012), such reduction of time would have to be specifically authorized by the Board.