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	One of the short-listed consultancy firm has raised following queries in the meeting held to which clarifications have been given as under :
	Q.1 Conflict of Interest Page 7 pt (iii)�..�"the consultant will limit its role to that of a consultant and disqualify itself and its associates from work in any other capacity or any future project within the next five years (..) that may emerge from this assignment�"�..does that mean we cannot participate in any other Indian Railway assignment in the next 5 years.

	Ans. The clause incorporated is a standard ADB clause for incorporation in the section 'Instruction to Consultants' in the RFP document. It does not prohibit the selected firm to participate in other assignments of Indian Railways except for assignments, if any, emerging out this particular project.

	Q.2 Technical - Does even the domestic expert on Management Accounting & Costing need experience in implementing a LoB/LoS based accounting system comparable to Indian Railways?

	Ans. In the scheme of technical evaluation higher weightage is assigned to a domestic expert having experience in LOB/LOS based railway accounting system or infrastructure business comparable to Indian Railways.

	Q.3 Legal& Contractual - Does the ownership and confidentiality prevent us from bidding for such engagements elsewhere in the world leveraging the knowledge? Is there any limit for the number of years? Can the personnel be reassigned to other tasks if they are not scheduled to be engaged with Indian Railways under this project? (Article XVIII, Section 18.01) �' Confidential Information �' means any information or knowledge acquired by the consultant and/or its personnel arising out of or in connection with, the performance of the services under this contract that is not otherwise available to public �- how do we ascertain the knowledge acquired? How do we confirm what is available in public domain?

	Ans. The selected consultant is not prevented from bidding for such engagement elsewhere subject to provisions in Para 1.81(iii) (Page 6) and Section 18.01 & 19.01 (Page 53). The selected consultant is not prevented from re-assigning the personnel to other tasks outside the staffing schedule submitted for this project subject to a condition that in an eventuality of such staff being required for attending the assignment for the purpose of aspects covered in Volume II at Page 62, such personnel should be available even outside the staffing schedule. There is identified information in respect of Indian Railways, which is in public domain. Therefore, the selected consultant is required to check with the executing authority of the project if he chooses to use any information for any purpose other than this assignment; in respect of its availability in public domain.

	Q.4 Terms of Reference - What does the re-writing of code constitute as per 4 h)? We assume the scope of development includes upgradation of the existing Financial Management Information System (FMIS). What if the gap analysis results in a finding that the existing system needs extensive revamping? Cost of new software, hardware? What about the software development team? Will Indian Railways bear the expenses related to the Training & Development of 6 Key accounts officers in other railways as defined in 4 (e) of Appendix A. In case there are recommendations to buy an additional software, how this be handled?

	Ans. The rewriting of code involves modification/creation/ compilation of the applicable instruction manuals/code books/check lists and/or existing manuals, etc. on the new accounting system of Indian Railways during the implementation phase. It is anticipated that the gap analysis may result in certain degree of revamping of the existing FMIS system. However, even if the revamping required is extensive, the cost of new software and hardware as well as software development team is outside the purview of this consultancy assignment. Nonetheless, the selected consultant for this assignment is required to supervise implementation of revamped FMIS system in order to ensure its conformity to accepted recommendations. Page 62 may be referred to in this context. The activity defined in 4(e) of Appendix 'A' is part of the assignment and is covered in the overall budget ceiling for the project.

	Q.5 Financial - Do we need to meet all the line item budgets or the overall budget of USD 3 Million? Please refer the reply to query No.4.
	The budget estimate has been included in the document in keeping with ADB procedure on consultant selection. The amounts against line items are generally indicative. The short-listed firms are required to meet the overall budget ceiling.

	Part - II
	Additional queries raised by one of the short-listed firm are clarified below :-

	Q1. What is the general expectation from the Consultant for the 20 month-implementation period? The assumption is that the role is restricted to supervision only. In this case, how can the consultant be expected to write.. "manuals, and system designs, instruction books, software-operating procedure etc for the revised system"..point (h) . of Appendix A

	Ans. Item (f), (g) & (h) at page 61 as well as last item in column 'aspects to be covered/completed' at Page 62 may be referred to. The activities detailed are self-explanatory. So far as re-writing/modification of code books, manuals, instruction books and system designs are concerned, these are concomitant activities associated with the evolution of revised accounting system to cater the LOB/LOS based separation. The software modification/development is dependent upon such re- writing/modification. During implementation phase, the consultant is required to ensure that both the modified/developed software inclusive of software operating procedure as well as actual commissioning of the revised accounting system conforms to accepted recommendations of the consultant.

	Q2. What is the coverage of the implementation during the 20 month period - how many locations, how many people to be trained etc? The coverage, locations as well as delta training requirements will influence the time and effort required for the consultants supervisory effort.

	Ans. There are likely to be 25 locations during the implementation phase. Training of personnel for the revised accounting system is not envisaged in the TOR.

	Q3. Can we assume that as far the scope of this assignment is concerned the basic underlying accounting policies and or governing financial accounting practices (GASAB) are assumed to be given? The consultant would primarily focus on separation accounting for LOB/LOS reporting.

	Ans. Para 2.1(C) at Page 56 may be referred wherein it is laid down that the revised system shall be capable of meeting all the commercial system requirement internationally adopted for rail industry. Further, GASAB has formulated certain standards and it is advised that GASAB website www.gasab.gov.in may be visited.

	Q4. Point (e).of Appendix A - Training and Development of key 6 Accounts officer - can we assume that this training is restricted to on the project training and does not involve traveling abroad for the purposes of this training.

	Ans. The query has been covered in the last Sub-para of Q.4 of queries - Pt.I.

	Q5. Is the number of people highlighted in Chart on Page 64 indicative or is it the actual number of resources expected to be part of the team?

	Ans. Item (d) and (e) of the Item (ii) at page 38-39 of 'Handbook for Users of Consulting Services - Volume I, 5th Edition may be referred to in this context. The number incorporated in the chart at Page 64 of RFP document is indicative of estimated requirement for efficient completion of the task.

	Q6. Would With-holding tax and Service Tax be applicable?

	Ans. Section 12.01 (Page 50) of RFP document in conjunction with Para 5.8 at Page 14 of the document may be referred to.

	Q7. What does the certification for experts/ firms (Page 22) refer to? Is it self certification?

	Ans. Point XII at Page 12 of the RFP document may be referred to. Further, attention is invited to Section (e) example 1 at Page 92 of "Handbook for Users of Consulting Services Volume 1, 5th Edition". The link is www.adb.org/Documents/Handbooks/Consulting/Vol_1/Consulting_Services.pdf "