Tender BOQ (Bill of Quantities) is a document used in tendering to list the items, materials, parts, and labor required for a contract, along with their quantities. In the e-procurement world (like CPPP or GeM), the BOQ is usually a Microsoft Excel file (.xls) provided by the buyer.
When you ask “what is Tender BOQ,” you are asking about the Financial Bid or Price Bid. This is the file where you enter your price. It is the single factor that decides if you become L1 (Lowest Bidder) and win the contract.
What Does Tender BOQ Mean?
It breaks down the work into line items. For example, in a construction tender, the BOQ will have rows for “Cement,” “Bricks,” “Excavation,” etc.
- Schedule of Rates: Sometimes it lists the government standard rate, and you have to quote a percentage Above (+) or Below (-) that rate.
- Item Rate: You quote the absolute price for each unit.
Why Tender BOQ is Important
- Comparison: It allows the government to compare apples to apples. Every bidder quotes for the exact same quantity of work.
- Disqualification: If you modify the BOQ file format (change formulas, rename sheets), your bid is instantly rejected by the server.
- Contract Value: The total value calculated in the BOQ becomes the Work Order value.
Where is Tender BOQ Used?
- Cover 2 (Finance): In a two-cover bid system, the BOQ is uploaded in the Finance cover.
- Evaluation: The system automatically reads the BOQ Excel file to generate the “BoQ Comparative Chart” showing who is L1, L2, etc.
How to Find and Fill Tender BOQ
Step 1: Download
Download the .xls file from the tender portal. Do not change the file name.
Step 2: Enable Macros
Open the file. Click “Enable Editing” and “Enable Content” (Macros). The BOQ often uses macros to validate data.
Step 3: Fill Details
Enter your Bidder Name and the Unit Rate (Basic Price). Do not touch the “Total” column; it calculates automatically.
Step 4: Validate & Save
Click the “Validate” button inside the Excel sheet. If it says “Validation Successful,” save it and upload.
Example of BOQ Items
| Sl No | Item Description | Quantity | Units | Basic Rate | Total Amount |
| :— | :— | :— | :— | :— | :— |
| 1.01 | Excavation Work | 100 | Cubic Mtr | [You Enter] | [Auto Calc] |
Common Problems or Errors
- Tampering: If you delete a row or change a column width, the file hash changes, and upload fails.
- Zero Value: If you leave a rate blank, it is often considered as zero (free of cost), which might be binding on you!
- GST Calculation: Check if the BOQ asks for price including GST or excluding GST. This is the most common mistake.
Important Things to Remember
- Never upload the BOQ in the Technical Bid cover. This reveals your price early and disqualifies you.
- Keep a backup of the filled BOQ.
- Check the Bid Reference Number inside the BOQ header to ensure it matches the tender.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I rename the BOQ file?
The e-procurement portal will reject the upload. You must keep the exact filename (e.g., BoQ_1234.xls) as downloaded from the server.
Can I convert the BOQ to PDF?
No. The system needs the Excel file to extract data for the comparative chart. Uploading a PDF will lead to rejection.
What does ‘L1’ mean in BOQ?
L1 stands for Level 1 or Lowest Bidder. The system sums up your BOQ total, and the bidder with the lowest Grand Total is declared L1.
How do I quote for taxes in BOQ?
Read the BOQ instruction carefully. Some BOQs have a separate column for GST, while others ask for an all-inclusive rate. Quoting incorrectly can make you L2 or L3.
What is Item Rate BOQ vs. Percentage BOQ?
In Item Rate, you price each item individually. In Percentage BOQ, the government sets the rates, and you simply quote “5% Above” or “2% Below” the total estimate.