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Documents | Glossary

BOQ (Bill of Quantities)

The itemised list of the work's items with units and quantities, against which bidders quote rates. On e-procurement portals it is an Excel file filled in and uploaded as the financial bid.

What the BOQ is

The bill of quantities breaks the work into items (excavation, PCC, brickwork, cabling, man-months of security guards) with a description, unit and quantity for each. In an item-rate tender the bidder enters a rate per item and the BOQ totals it; in a percentage-rate tender the bidder enters one percentage above or below the estimated amount.

On CPPP and the state GePNIC portals, the BOQ is a protected Excel sheet. Bidders fill only the permitted cells, keep the file name, and upload it in the financial cover. An altered or renamed BOQ can be rejected by the portal or the evaluator.

Reading a BOQ before bidding

Price each item from your own costs, check units carefully (cum against sqm is a common slip), and watch for items with large quantities: they decide the total. A corrigendum can replace the BOQ; always quote on the latest one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the BOQ format?
No. Fill only the cells meant for rates or percentages and keep the file name; portals validate the file.
What if the BOQ is replaced by a corrigendum?
Quote on the new BOQ. If you already uploaded a bid, withdraw and resubmit it before the deadline.
Is the BOQ the same as the estimate?
The BOQ lists items and quantities; the department's estimated rates behind it make up the estimated cost printed in the NIT.

Related Terms

L1 (Lowest bidder)

The technically qualified bidder with the lowest evaluated price. Most government works and supply contracts are awarded to L1.

Two-bid system (technical and financial bid)

Bids in two covers: a technical bid (eligibility documents and compliance) opened first, and a financial bid opened only for bidders who qualify technically.

NIT (Notice Inviting Tender)

The published notice that announces a tender: the work, estimated cost, EMD, tender fee, eligibility, how to bid and the key dates.

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