What an NIT contains
The NIT is the first document of a tender and the one to read first. It names the buying office, the work or supply, the estimated cost, the EMD and tender fee, who may bid (registration class, turnover, past work), how bids are submitted, and the dates: publication, document download, pre-bid meeting, bid submission end and bid opening.
On e-procurement portals the NIT is a PDF among the tender documents, and the portal's own tender page repeats its key fields. When the two disagree, the NIT and any corrigendum to it govern.
Reading an NIT quickly
Check in this order: the bid submission end date and time; whether you meet the eligibility (class, turnover, similar work); the EMD and how it is paid; the period of work; and whether a site visit or pre-bid meeting is required. Then download the BOQ and the conditions of contract.