PSU banks invite bids for ATM units

Public sector banks have called for bids to install 5,259 cash dispensers (ATM) in Bihar and Jharkhand by March 31, 2014. This is 30 per cent more than the estimated 4,039 ATMs announced in the first week of March.

And if the 50 per cent additional requirement is factored in, the final ATM units figure would be 7,889. Going by the original estimate, this is 95 per cent higher.

Though Bank of Baroda has called for the bids on an outsourced basis, it had made it clear that the requirement is for all PSU and co-operative banks. The main banks in the consortium are Bank of Baroda, IDBI Bank, Corporation Bank, SBI and Allahabad Bank.

Banks can place orders under the tender up to March 31, 2015. The banks may also increase the requirement of cash dispensers by 50 per cent. It is also obligatory for bidders to take over operation and maintenance services of bank owned ATMs that are in operation for less than seven years. Vendors will have to take over the ATM, peripherals, networking and other equipment in ATM room owned by the banks which support functioning of the ATM.

The selected vendor will receive a seven-year contract from the procurers.

raghavendrarao.k@thehindu.co.in