RTI
2.0 Brief Introduction:
Based on input, relevant documents were collected from the concerned Commercial Dept. w.r.t procurement of supply of HP Air valves and Bottle Head Assembly.
2.1 Background:
Based on input, relevant documents were collected from the concerned Commercial Dept. w.r.t supply of HP Air valves and Bottle Head Assembly. After scrutiny, following were the observations:-
As per the PQC requirement, the vendor having experience of supply of the HP Air valves and Bottle Head Assembly of pneumatic working pressure of 200 Bar or more to any warship were only eligible for qualification. As per Tender condition, prototype testing is to be undertaken at manufacturers premises. However, it is specified in TSP that the first of each type and each size of valves is to be type tested for HP Air valves and for Cylinder Head Assembly one no. of fitting per type per size will be type tested and yellow banned and will not be a part of supply. The type test reports should be submitted along with the items.
After investigation, it was observed that the received bills were certified without type testing reports. The QAP was approved by relaxing test criteria that test should be carried out for 10000 cycles. Deviation by noise test criteria was accepted by certifying agency, since particular medium for testing was not indicated in approved TSP. No documents were observed w.r.t. the TSP which states that one no. of fitting per type per size will be type tested and yellow banned and will not be a part of supply criteria. The initial tender was scrapped post, tender closing date.
These lapses didn’t reflect any malafide intention however lack of due diligence was observed while investigating the case. To avoid recurrence, some improvements were suggested.
2.2 Implementation:
As systemic improvements, the following were suggested and the same were implemented through a memorandum from the Functional Director concerned.
1. Framing of Technical PQC for critical items in a tender should not lead to a condition wherein only the vendors having prior experience of successful supply of the material to Navy/ Shipyard for use onboard warships are qualified. Technical PQC should have condition of acceptance of bidders who might not have received orders but have proven design of required items, type tested and inspected by recognized/ reputed Inspection Authority. The technical competency and manufacturing capacity may be verified by TNC prior to submitting TNC report on qualification/disqualification of bids.
2. The executives approving the Binding Drawings/QAP/ any Approved Test Procedures must indicate his/her name and designation or seal on the respective approved document while approving the same in order to ensure identity and responsibility as Approving Authority.
3. The Type tests, if required, should be conducted in NABL accredited or Govt. laboratories only and the same should be stipulated clearly in the TSP/ PR. Lack of such clarifications in TSP/PR may be advantageous to vendors for their cost saving by testing at non-reputed / non-recognized laboratories which can lead to disputes, delay and loss to MDL, especially if the item is critical.
4. Any request for deviation or clarification received from Supplier/Inspection Agency while actual conducting Test/Inspection w.r.t. approved Test Procedure/QAP/TSP must be accepted or rejected after obtaining written consent of the Approving Authority concerned. In the absence of the executive who has approved the Test Procedure/QAP/TSP, written guidance/confirmation of executive having equivalent or higher rank in the same domain may be obtained and the same should be recorded in file.
5. If an item is to be Type Tested and yellow banded, relevant Test Reports and records of communication must be maintained by the Indenter/Technical dept. If the inspection Agency is TPI or IACS, they must be instructed to specify the yellow banding of the item into their IR/IRN.
6. The Inspection Report (IR) and Inspection Release Note (IRN) issued by the Inspection Agency (TPI/IACS) nominated by MDL, must be verified by Indenting Dept. to ensure successful completion of all required tests w.r.t. Approved Test Procedures/QAP/TSP as applicable, latest by certification of bills of such TPI/IACS.
2.3 Impact and Benefits:
With the implementation of the above-mentioned Systemic improvement, the possibility of post ordering complications shall be avoided. Also, it will improve the transparency in procurement process.
