INVITATION FOR

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

FOR

OFF-TAKING PURE HYDROGEN GAS

GENERATED IN THE MEMBRANE CELL
ELECTROLYSERS OF CAUSTIC SODA PLANT

Document No. TCC-PJ-CP-ENQ-01-2012

September-2012

PROJECT DEPARTMENT
TRAVANCORE-COCHIN CHEMICALS LTD
UDYOGAMANDAL-683501

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Contents:-

1. Introduction
2. Objective of This Invitation for Expression of Interest (EOI)
3. Expected Qualification Of Bidders In Response to This
Invitation for EOI
3. Facilities That May Be Extended By TCC
4. Tender Fee
5. Cost of EOI
6. Other Terms and Conditions
7. Site Visit
8. Format for Submission of Expression of Interest (EOI)
9. Concept of Project
10. Language
11. Price Schedule
12. Submission of EOI
13. Process for Selection of Bids
14. Opening of Bids
15. Confidentiality
16. Disclaimer

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 INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE OF THIS INVITATION
FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI)

1.0 Introduction
1.1.The Travancore-cochin chemicals limited (TCC), a Government of Kerala
Undertaking, is a pioneer in the field of manufacturing Caustic soda and
chlorine products which are basic industrial chemicals. Presently TCC has an
installed capacity to produce 175 MTPD caustic soda, 72 MTPD liquid
chlorine, 350 MTPD 32% commercial HCL acid and 45 MTPD sodium
hypochlorite.

1.2. For the production of caustic soda TCC employs membrane cell technology
which is considered to be the most environment friendly technology available.

1.3.The Travancore-cochin chemicals limited (TCC) is situated at Udyogamandal

in Cochin Industrial belt. The factory and registered office is located 20Km
from Kochi International Airport, 15 Km from Ernakulam Railway station and
18 km from Vallarpadam terminal.

1.4.The company was originally started as Travancore & Mettur Chemical Co. in
1949 (a partnership between FACT and Mettur Chemical & Industrial
Corporation Ltd) during the time of Seshasayee Brothers with 20 MT caustic
soda per day production capacity. Later the Government of Travancore Cochin
acquired the Company and thus in 1960 it became a Government undertaking
under the name Travancore-Cochin Chemicals Ltd. TCC achieved a turnover
of Rs.1160, 1420 and 1700 million during the financial year 2009-10, 2010-11,
and 1011-12 respectively.

1.5.Caustic soda is produced by electrolysis of aqueous sodium chloride solution

during which chlorine and H2 are also produced. For the production of Caustic
soda TCC employs the latest membrane cell Technology.

1.6. Membrane cell process

In the membrane cell process, ion exchange membrane separates the anode and
cathode compartments. Saturated sodium chloride solution is fed to the anode
compartment where chlorine gas is liberated at anode and the sodium ion

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 migrates to the cathode compartment. At the cathode, water is decomposed and
hydrogen is evolved as a co-product. The H 2 produced is cooled and filtered to
40 0 C and collected in a gas holder.
These electrolysers will be in operation throughout the year except during shut
down due to plant interruption or due to any unforeseen constraints like
marketing /raw materials.

Part of the H2 collected in the holder is consumed for the production of HCl
and the balance H2 is used for firing in furnace. With some changes in the
product mix, H2 can be made available for direct selling to other consumers for
better realization. It is therefore, this EOI is intended for utilizing the available
excess H2.

2 .Objective of this invitation

2.1. TCC seeks an Expression of Interest (EOI) from reputed parties, Firms, joint
venture / consortium arrangements, who have the requisite experience and
technical / financial capabilities- either separately or together to buy Hydrogen
Gas. In case of JV/Consortium arrangements, each party shall be jointly and
severally liable to TCC for any and all obligations arising in a contract
pursuant to this EOI.

2.2. As an initiative for developing hydrogen-based economic opportunities,

especially to explore the potential opportunity for non-fuel use of hydrogen,
TCC plans to sell-off available hydrogen to outside parties .This EOI is
invited for drawing the available H2 from our H2 gas holder kept at a pressure
of 250 mm H2Og and is having a purity of 99.9 % (by Volume) (Battery limit).
Party, at their own cost has to install necessary facility with all safety systems
to draw the available H2.

2.3. The quantity of H2 available at present for sale is 15000 NM3 per day (approx.)
and can be drawn at a rate in the range from 0-1000 NM 3/hr. H2 will not be
available during plant interruption, during shut down and start-up. Party has to
incorporate all necessary safety systems and obtain the statutory requirements.

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 3. EXPECTED QUALIFICATION OF BIDDERS IN
RESPONSE TO THIS INVITATION FOR EOI

For this EOI TCC is looking for,

3.1.Reputed Firms/Parties that are familiar with latest trends in technology in the
area of H2 handling and utilization and has Infrastructure for Gas based
facilities, Gas Distribution Networking, Gas Marketing capabilities etc. and are
interested in off-taking H2 gas continuously from Electrolysers installed at
our works.

3.2.Expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced

organizations, industry groups, or partnership firms who can buy and handle
the available hydrogen from our membrane cell Electrolysers for any credible
project focused on enhancing the beneficial use of pure hydrogen.

Party Should,

a) Have experience in handling industrial gases and has been operating plants
or installations for handling H2 / similar flammable gases.
b) Has the expertise or support to install and operate modern technology
Plant, with all safety features.
c) Have adequate financial soundness with a minimum of Rs.100 million or more
turnover in the year 2011-12.
d) Submit the requisite documents as proof to meet the above eligibility criteria.
e) Submit any other information that will establish that the company is
competent in the relevant field of activity.

4. FACILITIES THAT MAY BE EXTENDED BY TCC

4.1. The necessary utility requirements shall be extended by TCC

5. TENDER FEE
5.1. There is no fee for tender.

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 6. COST OF EOI
6.1 All costs incurred by the firm for the EOI shall be borne by the Firm and
will not be reimbursed.

7. OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS

GENERAL GUIDELINES
7.1. TCC reserves the right to change the scope or close the EOI without any
Short listing of bidders at any time without assigning any reason thereof.
7.2. The issue of this document does not in any way commit or otherwise
oblige TCC to proceed with the tender process.
7.3. The EOI Request is not the subject of any process contract or any
Contractual obligations between TCC and Proponents or potential
proponents.
7.4. TCC may at its absolute discretion, decide to abandon the process without
giving prior notice to the Proponents or potential Proponents.
7.5. TCC reserves the right to short- list proposal by way of Evaluation
Criteria determined internally in alignment with its strategic needs.
7.6. The original bid should be signed manually by the authorised signatory(ies)
of the bidder. The complete bid including the prices must be written by the
bidders in indelible ink. Bids and/or prices written in pencil will be rejected.

7.7. Each Bidder is responsible and liable for all costs, expenses and
liabilities incurred by it in connection with or incidental to the submission
of EOI.

8. SITE VISIT
8.1. Any bidder who requires site visit shall make his own arrangement for the
same. Any clarification at this stage may be sent by e-mail to
projects@tcckerala.com

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9. FORMAT FOR SUBMISSION OF EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
(EOI)

Name of Organization
Name of the Chief Functionary of
the Organization
Year and type of registration of
organization
Address of the Registered Office
of the Organization (With PIN
code)
Contact details of the organization
(including phone/fax number with
STD Code and email id)
Total number of Years of operation
Organizations vision & Mission
Companys past performance for
the last 3 years
Brief summary of QHSE
policy/Procedure, Present activity
Organizational Strength (Staff
Strength, Position & Distribution
Full time & Part time, other
facilities)
Income Tax Regn. No. under
Section 12AA, PAN (Permanent
Account No.) of the Organization
Similar Contracts ongoing /in hand

Company profile & Turnover

(last 3years)

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 10. CONCEPT OF PROJECT
10.1. Concept note

The concept note should provide a brief description of the project, for which
H2 is utilised for, quantity required ,mode of drawing H2 , total estimated cost,
the applicants contribution in meeting the project cost, expected time
required for the completion of the project, expected time of starting H 2 drawal
on signing of contract etc.

11. LANGUAGE
11.1. The bid prepared by the bidder and all correspondence and documents
relating to the bid exchanged by the Bidder and the TCC shall be written in
English language. Supporting documents and printed literature furnished by
the Bidder may be in another language provided they are accompanied by an
accurate translation of the relevant passages in English, in which case, for
purposes of interpretation of the bid, the translation shall prevail.

12. PRICE SCHEDULE

11.1. Bid Prices
The bidders shall indicate on the appropriate price schedule, the net
Unit prices for quantity of H2 drawn in NM3 from the physical battery limit.

13. SUBMISSION OF EOI

13.1. Vague and Indefinite Expressions

Bids qualified by vague and indefinite expressions such as "Subject to
availability" etc. will not be considered.

13.2. Correspondence.
TCC's fax No. 0484-2646564 and E-mail: mail@tcckerala.com,
Phone - 0484 -2545011- 20 (10 lines)EPBX

13.3. All correspondence from Bidders shall be made to the office of the Project
Authority from where this tender has emanated.

13.4. All correspondence shall bear reference to bid number

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12.5. Modification and Withdrawal of Bids

No bid may be modified after the dead line for submission of bids

12.6. All applications for EOI should be addressed to:-

The Deputy General Manager (Projects)
The Travancore- Cochin Chemicals Ltd
A Kerala Government Company
P.B. No. 4, Udyogamandal P.O.
(Ph-0484-2545083)
Kochi -683501
Kerala State

12.7. The EOI should reach the above address latest by 4 PM on 13-10-2012

14. Process for Selection of bids

14.1. The selection process has three steps.

Step-1. All the offers will be scrutinized and a shortlist of prospective bidders
will be prepared considering the proposed project feasibility, credibility of
proponent, offered realization for Hydrogen and the short term /long term
benefit for TCC.

Step-2. Involves- shortlisted applicants from Step-1 submitting more detailed

proposals in response to a Request for Proposal (REP) to any revised criteria
emulated after discussions /Correspondence. Applicants will be given 30
working days to prepare and lodge their revised proposal. Successful
proponents will be informed and will be called for negotiations.

Step 3.Involves the execution of a commercial agreement for the supply of H2

Gas from TCC to the proponent.

NB.1. An organization lodging an expression of interest may be short-listed by

TCC to progress through to a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP)
process for the selection of project to proceed for implementation. Only
short listed companies will be permitted to progress through to the final
selection of project.

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 2. TCC reserves the right neither to proceed with the RFP process, nor to
support the implementation of any project, if found not compatible to the
operation of existing plants.

3.The bidder is expected to examine all instructions, forms, terms and

specifications in the bidding documents. Failure to furnish all information
required by the bidding documents will be at the bidders risk. Bids not
complying with our conditions and not conforming to the given specifications
will result in the rejection of its bid without seeking any clarifications.

15. OPENING OF BIDS

15.1. The bid will be opened at 1500 Hrs. (IST) on 17-10-2012. The Bidder or his
authorized representative may be present at the time of opening of bid on the
specified date, but an authorisation letter must be forwarded to this office
along with bid and a copy of this letter must be produced in the office by the
person attending the opening of bid. Unless this letter is presented by him, he
may not be allowed to attend the opening of bid
15.2. In case of unscheduled holiday on the closing/opening day of bid, the next
working day will be treated as scheduled prescribed day of closing/opening of
bid, the time notified remaining the same.

16. Confidentiality
All Expressions of Interest and any accompanying documents will become the
property of TCC. Subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, all
documents provided by the applicant will be held in confidence so far as the law
permits.

17. Disclaimer:
This EOI is essentially an exploratory exercise for the purpose of identifying,
capable parties or Firms for taking up viable projects for off-taking the available
Hydrogen Gas produced in the Electrolysers in our plant and in no way is a
commitment to award any contract for the same. TCC will not reimburse any
expenditure by any participant for attending this EOI.

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