Turnkey Air Separation Unit Opportunity For Bandhabal Project

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited has invited global bids for a turnkey Air Separation Unit for the Coal to Ammonium Nitrate 2000 TPD project at Bandhabal, Jharsuguda district, Odisha. The tender follows a two-part bidding process through the NIC portal. Indian bidders must submit an EMD of Rs 300 lakh, while mechanical completion is scheduled within 21 months from the effective contract date.
The selected contractor will undertake complete engineering, manufacturing, inspection, testing, delivery, erection, commissioning, operator training, guarantee demonstration, spare parts supply and project handover. This is a full Process plant EPC package rather than a standalone equipment supply contract.
Corrigendum-1 revised the qualification criteria, commercial clauses and technical specifications. Eligible bidders must demonstrate successful operation of a qualifying Cryogenic oxygen plant with minimum one year of service and 98% guaranteed availability. Commercial evaluation now incorporates utility consumption over a 25-year design life using net present value calculations, alongside landed project cost.
EnergylineIndia.com highlights that BHEL has strengthened lifecycle accountability through availability-linked liquidated damages and strict automation requirements, including SIL-3 PLC architecture and segregation of DCS and ESD systems. Multiple bid extensions indicate the scale of technical revisions rather than any reduction in project standards.
For companies active in Industrial gas plant construction, this Air Separation Unit package represents a technically demanding opportunity where operational efficiency, documentation quality and proven references are as important as commercial pricing. Future Air Separation Unit tenders are likely to follow similar lifecycle-focused procurement practices.