The GEM/2025/B/6113102 is a solicitation issued by the Department of Financial Services, an integral division of the Ministry of Finance. This tender seeks proposals from qualified vendors for the procurement of Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) solutions, aimed at enhancing the cybersecurity posture of government operations and safeguarding sensitive financial data.

Scope of Work and Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to acquire Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) appliances and associated services that provide robust security mechanisms, including intrusion prevention, application control, and advanced threat detection. The successful implementation of these firewall solutions will help mitigate cyber threats, ensuring operational integrity and compliance with relevant security standards.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for this tender, bidders must meet several essential eligibility criteria:

• Vendors must be legally registered entities, capable of entering into contracts.
• Bidders should demonstrate previous experience in providing NGFW solutions to governmental or large-scale private sector clients.
• Financial stability and the capacity to deliver the required goods and services within stipulated timelines are mandatory.

Technical Requirements

Proposals must include detailed technical specifications for the Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) solutions being offered. This includes:

• A comprehensive list of features, performance benchmarks, and compliance with industry standards.
• Support for various deployment scenarios (on-premises, hybrid, or cloud-based environments).
• Compatibility with existing IT infrastructure and security protocols.

Financial Requirements

Vendors are required to submit complete financial details, including:

• A comprehensive cost breakdown of the proposed solutions, including service, maintenance, and support fees.
• Evidence of financial solvency and capability to fulfill the contractual obligations.

Document Submission Details

Bidders must prepare and submit all requisite documentation electronically via the specified government e-marketplace portal. All proposals must be complete and meet the required formats outlined in the tender documentation. It is essential to keep all submissions organized to avoid disqualification.

Special Provisions

This tender includes provisions for benefits to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSEs), encouraging their participation in the bidding process. Startups may also receive preferential consideration as part of the overall evaluation strategy, aligning with the government's drive to promote Make in India initiatives and local content procurement.

Evaluation Process

The evaluation of bids will be conducted through a structured process. Bids will be assessed based on technical soundness and financial viability. Other factors, such as vendor experience and compliance with specified quality standards, will also impact the overall score.

Delivery Locations

The Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) solutions will be delivered to designated locations as specified by the Department of Financial Services. Bidders will be informed of the exact sites upon contract award.

Contact Information

For more detailed inquiries regarding this tender, interested parties are encouraged to connect directly through the official government e-marketplace. Please refer to the portal for relevant contact points and additional guidance.