JUDGMENT :

Heard Mr. S. Nag, learned counsel for the petitioners and Mr. K. Kalita, learned counsel for the respondent nos. 1 & 2.

2. The present writ petition has been preferred under Article 226 of the Constitution of India in connection with a competitive bidding process initiated by a Notice Inviting Tender [NIT] vide Tender Reference no. DPS/BUS/003/2023 dated 10.03.2023 whereby the sealed tenders were invited from the bidders for the purpose of obtaining services of following description :

Hiring of Transport Services of Ten [10] nos. brand new fully built diesel Non-AC School Buses of Make & Model : TATA STARBUS SKL 51+A+D LP810.52 / SML ISUZU 57 5100WB 52+D SCHOOL BUS / EICHER SKYLINE 2090 L SKL SCL [51+1+D] / ASHOK LEYLAND OYSTER SCHOOL BUS 4900WB 53+D [3x2 LAYOUT] with all standard fittings and accessories and having applicable emission norms, buses to be purchased and registered after issuance of Letter of Award [LoA], for a period of 8 [eight] years with provision of extension by another two [2] years [extension if required, subject to satisfactory performance, accepta