PPR Rule 96 requires bidders to nominate key personnel with documented experience, educational qualifications, and professional registration for works contracts. The procuring entity verifies all experience claims and may disqualify bids containing misrepresented credentials. Personnel cannot be substituted after contract award without written consent, and bidders remain responsible for ensuring nominated staff availability throughout the contract duration.
Understanding Rule 96 is critical for works contract bidders, as personnel experience directly influences bid evaluation and contract performance. Procuring entities use this rule to ensure projects are staffed by competent professionals capable of delivering quality outcomes.
Key Personnel Requirements Under Rule 96
Rule 96 mandates that bidders nominate specific key personnel for works contracts. The standard positions include a Project Manager, Site Engineer, and Quality Control Engineer. For specialised works—such as electrical installations, structural engineering, or mechanical systems—the procuring entity may require named technical specialists with domain-specific expertise.
Each nominated individual must be identified by name and role in the bid submission. The procuring entity uses these nominations to assess whether the bidder has assembled a capable team. Personnel quality directly affects the likelihood of successful project delivery and compliance with contract specifications.
Mandatory CV Documentation and Content
Every nominated key person must submit a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV) as part of the bid. The CV must clearly demonstrate:
- Educational qualifications (degrees, diplomas, certifications)
- Professional registration where applicable (for example, IEB membership for engineers)
- Years of experience in similar roles and project types
- Details of projects of comparable scale and complexity
The CV serves as the primary evidence of a candidate's suitability. Vague or incomplete CVs weaken the bid and may lead to clarification requests or rejection. Bidders should ensure CVs are detailed, chronologically organised, and supported by verifiable references.
Verification and Misrepresentation Penalties
The procuring entity retains the right to verify all experience claims submitted in CVs. This verification may include contacting previous employers, reviewing project documentation, or requesting additional evidence of qualifications and registration status. Any misrepresentation of experience, qualifications, or professional credentials can result in bid disqualification.
Misrepresentation is treated seriously under PPR 2008 because it undermines the integrity of the procurement process and poses a risk to project quality. Bidders must ensure all information in nominated personnel CVs is accurate and can be substantiated if requested.
Personnel Substitution and Availability Requirements
Once a bid is accepted and the contract is awarded, the nominated key personnel become contractually bound to the project. Rule 96 prohibits substitution of any nominated person after award without prior written consent from the procuring entity. This ensures continuity and prevents bidders from deploying less experienced staff after winning the tender.
Bidders are also responsible for guaranteeing the availability of all nominated personnel for the full duration of the contract. If a nominated person becomes unavailable due to illness, resignation, or other circumstances, the bidder must immediately notify the procuring entity and seek written approval for a replacement. Failure to maintain personnel availability can constitute a breach of contract.
Experience Requirements in Context of Similar Work Experience
Rule 96 complements PPR Rule 88 — Similar Work Experience (Works Contracts), which addresses the bidder organisation's overall track record. While Rule 88 focuses on the company's portfolio of completed projects, Rule 96 focuses on the qualifications of individuals who will execute the work. Together, these rules create a two-tier evaluation system: organisational capacity and individual competence.
Bidders should ensure their nominated personnel have direct experience with projects similar in scope, complexity, and technical requirements to the tender at hand. This alignment strengthens the bid and demonstrates realistic capacity to deliver.
Alignment with Financial and Technical Capacity Rules
Rule 96 works in tandem with PPR Rule 95 — Financial Capacity (Works) to establish overall bidder eligibility. Financial capacity ensures the bidder can fund the project; personnel experience ensures the bidder can execute it. Procuring entities evaluate both dimensions to minimise project risk.
Additionally, Rule 96 supports the PPR Rule 27 — Evaluation Criteria framework, as personnel qualifications often form part of the technical evaluation score. Bids with stronger personnel credentials typically score higher in technical evaluation, improving competitiveness.
Practical Implications for Bidders
When preparing a works contract bid, bidders should:
- Identify the exact key personnel positions required in the tender document
- Prepare detailed, accurate CVs for each nominated person
- Verify all educational qualifications and professional registrations are current and verifiable
- Ensure nominated personnel have genuinely relevant experience on comparable projects
- Obtain written confirmation from each nominated person that they are available for the full contract duration
- Keep supporting documentation (certificates, reference letters, project completion reports) ready for verification
- Plan for contingency: identify backup personnel in case substitution becomes necessary post-award
Bidders who invest time in thorough personnel documentation and verification tend to face fewer clarification requests and lower disqualification risk.
FAQ
Q: What happens if a nominated key person becomes unavailable after contract award?
A: The bidder must immediately notify the procuring entity and request written approval for a substitute. Rule 96 prohibits substitution without prior written consent. If the bidder cannot provide an approved replacement, this constitutes a breach of contract and may result in penalties or termination.
Q: Can a single person hold multiple key positions (e.g., Project Manager and Site Engineer)?
A: This depends on the tender document and the procuring entity's requirements. Most tender documents require separate individuals for each key role to ensure adequate supervision and quality control. Bidders should follow the specific requirements stated in the tender document.
Q: What level of professional registration is required under Rule 96?
A: Rule 96 requires professional registration "where applicable." For engineers, this typically means membership in the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) or equivalent recognised body. The tender document will specify which positions require registration and at what level (e.g., Chartered Engineer, Professional Engineer).
Q: How far back should experience be documented in a CV?
A: CVs should cover the full career history relevant to the position, typically the last 10–15 years for senior roles. The focus should be on projects and roles most similar to the tender requirements. Older experience is less critical unless it demonstrates foundational expertise or landmark projects.
Q: Can experience from joint venture partners be attributed to the bidder?
A: Rule 96 requires nominated personnel to be directly employed or engaged by the bidding entity. Experience from joint venture partners may be counted toward the bidder's overall capacity under Rule 88, but individual CVs must reflect the person's direct involvement in projects, not merely their employer's involvement.
Conclusion
PPR Rule 96 is a cornerstone of works contract procurement, ensuring that projects are staffed by qualified, verified professionals. Bidders who carefully select, document, and verify their key personnel significantly improve their chances of bid acceptance and successful contract execution. Use TenderPulse to analyse tender documents, identify Rule 96 requirements, and prepare compliant personnel documentation for your next works contract bid.