JUDGMENT :

[Hearing held through video conferencing]

1. The petitioner, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (hereafter ‘HPCL’) has filed the present petition under Section 34 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (hereafter the ‘A&C Act) impugning an Arbitral Award dated 28.11.2019 (hereafter the ‘impugned award’) rendered by the Arbitral Tribunal comprising of a Sole Arbitrator. The impugned award was rendered in the context of disputes that had arisen between HPCL and the respondent (DTC) in respect of a contract for supply of lubricants.

2. DTC is a corporation engaged in providing public transport services. HPCL is one of the public sector oil marketing company. DTC had issued a limited inquiry inviting tenders from four public sector oil marketing companies, including HPCL, for supply of lubricants (in all thirteen items). Pursuant to the said invitation to tender, HPCL submitted its bid dated 23.10.2007 quoting firm rates for supply of certain lubricants on the given terms and conditions. HPCL’s bid was declared the lowest and was accepted. Consequently, separate purchase orders dated 08.11.2007, 10.01.2008, 18.01.2008, 25.01.2008, 28.01.2008 and 26.03.2008 were placed