APPLICATION FORM

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR APPOINTMENT OF

THE TECHNICAL AGENCIES FOR CLUSTERS

Sr. No. Particulars Details

1 Name & full postal address of

the agency with PIN code, STD

code, Fax/Tel. No., e-mail ID

Apex Cluster Development Services Private Limited

B-35, First Floor, Leela House, Fashion Street, Shahpur Jat, New

Delhi-110049

Tel. No.: 9811070056

E-mail ID: rajveers@hotmail.com

website: www.indianclusters.org , www.clusters.org

2 Year of registration (Please

enclose the certified copy of

the registration certificate)

2004

Annexure: 1

3 Legal Status of the Organization Private Limited Company

4 Year of Commencement of

Operation (Total number of

years of Experience as on

31.03.2015)

2004

(Years of Experience: 10 years and 5 months)

5 Brief profile of the agency along

with organizational chart

APEX CLUSTER DEVELPMENT SERVICES PVT. LTD. (ACDS) was

founded in the year 2004 with the objective of MSME

empowerment through Local Economic Development approach.

Over the past few years ACDS has emerged as an expert cluster

development, research and consultancy organization. ACDS has

intensively worked in formal and informal sectors and has been

involved in conducting diagnostic studies, DPRs for infrastructure

development & CFCs, action research, grass root level

implementation of business plans, baseline mapping and

evaluation studies of different programmes of international

studies and various government schemes. ACDS is well

represented at major artisanal, handicraft, handloom and

locations within India like Chanderi, Maheshwar, Agra, Banaras,

Pipli, Puri, Pune, Tirupur, Chennai, Mysore, Hyderabad, Ludhiana

and Delhi NCR cluster Gurgaon, NOIDA, Faridabad. ACDS has

worked with various private and government agencies like SIDBI,

MPRLP, MSME Ministry, World Bank, Sequa GmbH, DFID, Nokia,

GiZ, Microsoft etc. Besides strong presence in industries sector,

ACDS is Associate Member of FICCI-CMSME and has worked with

over 100 associations, 200 SHG and 50 informal networks of

artisans and craftpersons.

Following are the main service areas of ACDS

1. Cluster development

2. BDSP empowerment

3. MSME empowerment

4. Action Research

5. Policy Support

6. Informal Sector Development - Handicraft & Handloom

7. Rural Development

8. Urban Development

9. ICT and E-governance

10. Skill development & Livelihood creation

Annexure -2

6 No. of Offices in Non NE States

and NE States with detailed

information. (Name of contact

persons with postal address,

STD Code, Fax/Tel. No., e-mail,

web site, if any,)

No. of offices in Non NE States: 5

No. of offices in NE States: 1

Head OfficeApex Cluster Development Services Pvt. Ltd.B-35, First Floor, Leela House, Shahpur JatNew Delhi – 110049Email: info@indianclusters.orgContact Person: Mr. Rajveer SinghContact No. 981107056

Apex Cluster Development Services Pvt. Ltd.460/2, Kallampilakkal,Vadapuram Post,Malappuram Dist.,

Kerala – 676542Email: shabeer@indianclusters.orgContact Person: Mr. Shabeer AhammedContact No. 9656992077

Apex Cluster Development Services Pvt. Ltd.559 F-Block, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Pakhowal Road, Ludhiana-141002Email: prarana@indianclusters.orgContact Person: Ms. Prarana KapilaContact No. 9915780354

Apex Cluster Development Services Pvt. Ltd.24, Vishwakarma SocietyNear Jivraj Park Cross RoadsJivraj Park, Ahmedabad - 380051Gujarat Email: darshiit@indianclusters.orgContact Person: Mr. Darshiit VaghelaContact No. 9662303779

Apex Cluster Development Services Pvt. Ltd.343, Avas Vikas Colony, Mahadev Jharkhandi,Kunraghat, Gorakhpur -273008Uttar PradeshEmail: sudhir@indianclusters.orgContact Person: Mr. Sudhir Kumar PrajapatiContact No. 7080331988

Apex Cluster Development Services Pvt. Ltd.Prince Enclave, 1st Bye Lane, Mother Teresa Road, Zoo Narengi Tinali, Guwahati-781021AssamContact Person: Mr. ShantanuContact No. 9435148693

7 Past experience in Cluster development:

(i) Experience in Cluster

development till 31.3.2015

including conducting DSR for

decentralized sector may be

furnished (submit in an

1. Diagnostic Study Report : Sualkuchi Silk Cluster for CSTRI,

Central Silk Board , Government of India

2. Diagnostic Study Report: Srinagar Silk Cluster for CSTRI,

Central Silk Board , Government of India

3. Diagnostic Study of Bhilwara Ceramic Cluster for Imperial Tex

Annexure if any) Industrial Park Pvt. Ltd., Bhilwara

4. Cluster Level Intervention Programme (CLIP) in Ludhiana

Knitted Apparel Cluster for Small Industries Development

Bank of India (SIDBI), New Delhi

5. Mapping of Non-financial Gaps in Select MSME Clusters;

namely (i) Tirupur Knitwear Cluster, (ii) Ludhiana Knitwear &

Apparel Cluster, (iii) Pune Food Processing Cluster & (iv)

Noida-Gurgaon IT/ITES Cluster for Small Industries

Development Bank of India (SIDBI), New Delhi

6. Implementation of Business Development Services

Programme in 3 MSME Clusters namely; (i) Tirupur Knitwear

Cluster, (ii) Ludhiana Knitwear & Apparel Cluster & (iii) Pune

Food Processing Cluster for Small Industries Development

Bank of India (SIDBI), New Delhi. Doing diagnostic study,

preparing the action and implementation of the action plan.

7. Project Vikas in 11 MSME Clusters in India aimed at

improving ICT usage by MSMEs and Entrepreneurs in

business operations for Microsoft India Pvt. Ltd. in

association with NMCC, Government of India

8. Profiling & Primary Survey of Ayush Clusters for Department

of AYUSH, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Government

of India

9. Capacity Building of Entrepreneurs to develop an Integrated

Textile Park (ITP) in Bangalore Garments Cluster in Karnataka

for IL&FS

10. Providing legal framework and institution building

development plans for craft clusters – Surat Zari, Moradabad

Art Metalware & Sikandra Stone Clusters for IL&FS

11. Capacity Building of Entrepreneurs to develop an Integrated

Textile Park (ITP) in Bellary Jeans Cluster in Karnataka for

IL&FS and formation of SPV

12. Preparation of a comprehensive cluster based development

strategy for SME and artisan based clusters in Rajasthan for

IL&FS

13. Evaluation of Cluster Development Initiative in the state of

Odisha for UNIDO

Annexure-3

(ii) Details of experience in similar

activities till 31.3.2015

1. Study on the Constraints and Opportunities Facing Odisha’s

Handicraft and Handloom Sector for World Bank, New Delhi

2. Uttar Pradesh Pro-Poor Tourism Development Project:

Assessment of the artisanal sector of Agra, the Braj region

and Buddhist Circuit for World Bank, New Delhi

3. Study on Economic Profile of NCR for National Capital Region

Planning Board, Ministry of Urban Affairs, Govt. of India

4. Mapping of Technological Modernization and Product

Process Innovation in Pune Food Processing Cluster for GIZ,

Germany

5. Capacity Building of BMOs: Awareness Workshop cum

Support Clinics on Public Support Schemes for Sequa GmbH,

Germany

6. Conducting Awareness Workshop (Sensitization Programme)

cum Support Clinics on Public Support Schemes for GIZ,

Germany

7. City Cluster Economic Development for National Institute of

Urban Affairs (NIUA) India, sponsored by ADB

8. MPRLP Wooden Toy Clusters Skill Inducement for Madhya

Pradesh Rural Livelihood Project funded by DFID

9. Strategic promotion of NOKIA – TEJ in Textile Clusters in the

area of logistic and supply chain management through mobile

based application for NOKIA

8 List of Major activities and

Clients lists

(Enclose work order of the

client for last five

1. Diagnostic Study of Bhilwara Ceramic Cluster

Assessment of factor conditions of the cluster like

infrastructure, raw material, technology, power/ energy,

finance and marketing conditions like branding, quality

years and Annual Report of

2014-15)

certification etc.

Assessment of vital statistics of the cluster, like output,

employment, exports etc.

Primary Survey and Focused Group Discussion with

stakeholders in the cluster

Mapping key issues in the cluster; especially related to

infrastructure bottlenecks

Drafting and suggesting an Action Plan

2. Cluster Level Intervention Programme (CLIP) in Ludhiana

Knitted Apparel Cluster. Main activities include;

Awareness programme on energy efficiency measures

and government & SIDBI schemes, including preparation

of Knowledge Capsule of schemes

Programme on Quality Control and Quality Assurance

Pilot Energy Audit programme

Training on Advanced Knitting and Weaving Practices in

the Cluster and seminar on Technology up gradation

Preparation of action plan for Promoting Brand Ludhiana

as a Co-Brand by units in the cluster

Preparation of technology improvement strategy for the

cluster

Designing action plan for skill inducement cum up

gradation strategy for the cluster

3. Mapping of Non-financial Gaps in Select MSME Clusters;

namely (i) Tirupur Knitwear Cluster, (ii) Ludhiana Knitwear &

Apparel Cluster, (iii) Pune Food Processing Cluster & (iv)

Noida-Gurgaon IT/ITes Cluster for Small Industries

Development Bank of India, New Delhi; Main activities consist

of:

Diagnostic Study of these clusters,

Conducted primary survey and hold meetings with key

stakeholders in each cluster to understand their

respective issues

Proposed Action Plan for all the clusters to resolve their

issues and improve their performance

4. Diagnostic Study Report : Sualkuchi Silk Cluster ; major

activities include:

Assessment of factor conditions of the cluster like

infrastructure, raw material, technology, power/ energy,

finance and existing marketing linkages

Situational analysis of the cluster through secondary

online research

Assessment of vital statistics of the cluster, like output,

employment, exports etc.

Primary Survey and Focused Group Discussion with

stakeholders in the cluster

Mapping key issues in the cluster

Drafting an Action Plan

5. Diagnostic Study Report : Srinagar Silk Cluster ; Main activities

include:

Assessment of factor conditions of the cluster like

infrastructure, raw material, technology, power/ energy,

finance and existing marketing linkages

Situational analysis of the cluster through secondary

online research

Assessment of vital statistics of the cluster, like output,

employment, exports etc.

Primary Survey and Focused Group Discussion with

stakeholders in the cluster

Mapping key issues in the cluster

Drafting and suggesting an Action Plan

6. Study on the Constraints and Opportunities Facing Odisha’s

Handicraft and Handloom Sector ; Main activities include:

Data compilation and analysis of production and

employment in all the crafts in the state of Odisha

Identifying ten major crafts in the state based on data

statistics, government priorities and other measures for

detailed analysis of the crafts and their issues

Identification of key products in the crafts, followed by

present condition of product diversification and new

design development

Socio-economic profiling of crafts and profiling of

artisanal clusters in the state

Analysis of present condition of tools used, raw material

procurement and credit accessibility of the artisans

Analysis of existing social capital in craft clusters, like

SHG/ Cooperatives/ Association formation and

participation by the artisans

Situational analysis of existing institutional cum

formalization structure in craft clusters, especially how

they are organized and working

Analysis of HDI of the craft clusters in the state and

Central & State Government initiatives in the state craft

Analysis of marketing linkages and sales channel in each

craft

Value Chain Analysis and process flow in each craft

Identification of Issues across the value chain and

suggesting an action plan to resolve them

7. Uttar Pradesh Pro-Poor Tourism Development Project:

Assessment of the artisanal sector of Agra, the Braj region

and Buddhist Circuit ; Main activities include:

Assessment of tourist inflow to artisanal clusters in Agra,

the Braj Region and Buddhist Circuit, thus benefiting the

crafts & artisans

Mapping existing marketing infrastructure in craft

clusters, attracting tourists and helping build market

linkages

Assessment of Value Chain Analysis and product process

flow dimensions

Socio-economic profiling and assessment of accessibility

to credit, raw material, tools of artisans

Analysis of existing social capital, working structure and

formalization among the artisans

Mapping of existing issues & constraints in craft business

operations, especially related to marketing infrastructure

and networks

Drafting and suggesting action plan for the crafts

8. Study on Economic Profile of NCR ; Main activities include:

Complete profiling of National Capital Region by mapping

the economic indicators of the region by segregating all

the districts and sub-regions

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Per Capita Income

(PCI) estimation of the region and segregating it sub-

region wise and district wise and analysis of its trends

over the years

Assessment of workforce in the region by segregating it

sub-region wise and district wise based on four category

workers data as per 2011 census

Assessment of industrial sector of the region by mapping

the number of units and segregating it as Small Scale

Industries (SSI) and Medium & Large Industries (L&M),

industrial employment and output, sub region wise and

district wise

Mapping & profiling of key industrial, handicraft and

service clusters in the region, SWOT analysis of the

clusters

Assessment of informal sector and rural sector economic

activities and establishments in the region

Mapping key issues in the region and segregating it sub-

region wise and recommending suggestion for the

improvising the conditions

Suggested over hundred projects in the region aimed at

technical skill inducement and up gradation, creation of

Common Facility Center for food processing, textile and

other allied industries, infrastructure creation, rural

development etc.

Also included mapping of existing state level policy

regulation of the NCT of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana &

Rajasthan

9. Mapping of Technological Modernization and Product

Process Innovation in Pune Food Processing Cluster ; Main

activities include:

Assessment of sample firms / units in the cluster to

understand their technology condition

Explored areas of improvement in the units/ cluster like

improvement of shelf life of the product, improvement in

packaging standards, quality control measures, product

processing, raw fruits and vegetable segregation etc.

Preparation of one pager report of technical assessment

of all the firms/ units selected in the course of the study,

including their bottlenecks and resultant inefficiency in

operations

Recommendation to resolve the technical drawbacks

including tie ups with German technology providers

(BDSPs) and also designed multi operation projects in

cluster

10. Capacity Building of BMOs (Industrial Associations):

Awareness Workshop cum Support Clinics on Public Support

Schemes ; Main activities include:

Conducted awareness workshop/ seminars on DC-MSME

schemes for MSMEs and Industrial Associations

Onsite and offsite support and guidance to association

and its members for schemes

Facilitation of MSME members in availing schemes

11. Conducting Awareness Workshop (Sensitization Programme)

cum Support Clinics on Public Support Schemes ; Main

activities include:

Conducted awareness workshop/ seminars on DC-MSME

schemes for Industrial Associations and member MSMEs

Onsite and offsite support and guidance to association

and its members for schemes

Facilitation of MSME members in availing schemes

12. Implementation of Business Development Services

Programme in 3 MSME Clusters namely; (i) Tirupur Knitwear

Cluster, (ii) Ludhiana Knitwear & Apparel Cluster & (iii) Pune

Food Processing Cluster ; Main activities include:

More than 300 activities including workshops, events,

pilots, vouchers were conducted

Established linkage between BDSPs and MSMEs in areas

like quality control, training, skill development,

certification, energy conservation and marketing

Conducted programs on Sensitization and capacity

building programs with a focus on improving the BDS

market in the clusters

Various training modules were introduced to enhance

technical skills of manpower

13. Project Vikas in 8 MSME Clusters in India aimed at improving

ICT usage by MSMEs and Entrepreneurs in business

operations ; Major activities include:

Diagnostic study of clusters

Assessment of ICT usage by cluster as a whole, by units

individually and entrepreneurs in business operations

Mapping main deterrent in using ICT as a tool of

competitiveness and operational efficiency

Devising cluster specific actions plans to overcome the

issues both through soft and hard interventions

Organized over 100 workshops, seminars and ICT training

programmes for MSMEs and entrepreneurs in the cluster

Creation of Independent Software Vendors and their

Networks (ISV) with MSMEs in the cluster to establish a

linkage between the two

Establishment of Common Facility Center to improve ICT

usage in the form of E-readiness centers in clusters run

by SPV

14. Profiling & Primary Survey of Ayush Clusters ; Main activities

include:

Assessment of clusters based on location of operation,

employment level, type of cluster, cluster evolution;

Investigating history of the cluster and its then present

economy that included demand and factor condition

analysis, firm strategy rivalry and social capital existence

15. City Cluster Economic Development ; Major activities include:

Analysis of Sectoral, Economic & Spatial development of

NCR based on Primary surveys, mapping and other

secondary information.

Analysis of Sectoral Clustered Competitive Advantage in

NCR in general engineering, auto-components, and

textile clusters and holding cluster level & international

workshops at New Delhi, Dhaka and Bangladesh.

Assessment of major industrial agglomerations taken

place in identified metropolitan cities (particularly Delhi)

in various manufacturing and service industries.

Preparation of baseline information, basic data, industry

structure, value chain & spatial locations;

Organizing workshop cum seminars, analysis of

investment opportunities and then conduct a pre-

feasibility study of a selected action plan for marketable

inter-sectoral project for garment industry cluster on a

long & medium term and analyzing short term agendas.

16. MPRLP Wooden Toy Clusters Skill Inducement ; Major

activities include:

Analysis of skill gap in the cluster and bottlenecks faced

by the tribal people making toys

Organized training programme for artisans / workers in

making fine wooden toys so that they attain sustainable

livelihood and work opportunity

17. Capacity Building of Entrepreneurs to develop an Integrated

Textile Park (ITP) in Bangalore Garments Cluster in Karnataka;

Major activities include:

Capacity building of entrepreneurs in the cluster to

prepare them participate in the process of development

of ITP

Promoting Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to implement

and manage the implementation of ITP

Mobilizing the necessary contribution from the members

towards their commitment for participation in the project

and land acquisition

18. Providing legal framework and institution building

development plans for craft clusters – Surat Zari, Moradabad

Art Metalware & Sikandra Stone Clusters; Major activities

include:

Visit clusters and have interactions with cluster

stakeholders

Validate findings of the diagnostic study related to legal

framework and institution plans

Provide domain related plans to project coordinator,

which was part of the overall business plan for the cluster

Provide need based inputs to project coordinator

19. Capacity Building of Entrepreneurs to develop an Integrated

Textile Park (ITP) in Bellary Jeans Cluster in Karnataka; Major

activities include:

Capacity building of entrepreneurs in the cluster to

prepare them participate in the process of development

of ITP

Promoting Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to implement

and manage the implementation of ITP

Mobilizing the necessary contribution from the members

towards their commitment for participation in the project

and land acquisition

20. Preparation of a comprehensive cluster based development

strategy for SME and artisan based clusters in Rajasthan ;

Major activities include:

Study of cluster based development strategies in states

like Kerala, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh

Development of cluster development policy and strategy

for Rajasthan

Formulation of suitable schemes for development of SME

and artisan clusters in Rajasthan

Mapping of major SME and artisan clusters in Rajasthan

Preparation of cluster maps of Rajasthan clusters

21. Evaluation of Cluster Development Initiative in the state of

Odisha ; Major activities involved:

Evaluation of new marketing channels evolved for

artisans and institutionalization of links

Evaluation of new product introduction and design

development and its process institutionalization

Mapping role played by the implementing agency in

creating social capital and the nature of resource sharing

Mapping the efforts made by implementing agency

towards skill improvement and productivity within the

cluster

Mapping the efforts made by implementing agency to

build credit linkages and use of credit facilities

Evaluation of the sustainability element of the

implementing agency towards carrying on the activities

further for the progress of the cluster

Mapping of best practices in implementing cluster

development initiatives

22. Strategic promotion of NOKIA – TEJ in Textile Clusters in the

area of logistic and supply chain management through mobile

based application ; major activities include:

Evangelizing of the application by sensitizing the MSMEs

by organizing seminars and awareness workshop

Strategic marketing through organizing pilot programme

in select textile clusters

23. Conducting diagnostic study of Hoshiarpur Tractor Part

Cluster

Mapping various factor conditions of the cluster like

infrastructure, raw material, technology, power/ energy,

finance and marketing conditions like branding, quality

certification etc.

Assessment of vital statistics of the cluster, like output,

employment, exports etc.

Primary Survey and Focused Group Discussion with

stakeholders in the cluster

Conducting stakeholders validation workshop

Mapping key issues in the cluster; especially related to

infrastructure bottlenecks

Drafting and suggesting an Action Plan for soft and hard

interventions in the cluster

Clients1. Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)

2. The World Bank Group

3. Asian Development Bank

4. CSTRI, Central Silk Board

5. National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB)

6. National Institute of Urban Affairs, Ministry of Urban

Development

7. District Industries Centre, Hoshiarpur

8. Dept. of Panchayati Raj, Govt. of Madhya Pradesh

9. Ministry of MSMEs, Govt. of India

10. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

11. United Nations Industrial Development Organisation

(UNIDO)

12. GIZ, Germany

13. Sequa GMBH, Germany

14. Indian Institute of Foreign Trade

15. Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry

(Assocham)

16. Microsoft Corporation India Pvt. Ltd.

17. Nokia India Pvt. Ltd.

18. Infrastructure Leasing & Finance Services Ltd. (IL&FS)

19. ADD Industrial Group, Bengaluru

20. Strategic Planning & Management Services Pty Ltd.

21. Imperial Tex Industrial Park Pvt. Ltd., Bhilwara

Annexure-4

9 Whether the agency is

graded /rated by any

competent authority/

professional agency, if so, give

NO

details

10 Availability of total manpower/

Experts on regular pay role of

the organization (Bio-data of

subject/specialized personnel

should be enclosed in an

Annexure)

7

Annexure-5

11 Technical staff and Resource

persons on regular payroll

(Details in a separate

Annexure)

2

Annexure-6

12 Proposed time schedule for

completion of the Cluster:

i) Period for making preliminary

arrangements

1 month

ii) Period for preparation of

pilot Action Plan

2 weeks

iii) Field work, Data collection &

documentation

1 month

iv) Submission of DSR and DPR

(Draft & Final)

2 months & 4 months respectively

13 Details of the following

a) Service Tax Number (if any)

(Please enclose certified copy)

AAFCA1251PST001

Annexure-7 (a)

b) TAN & PAN Numbers (if any)

(Please enclose certified copy)

AAFCA1251P

Annexure-7 (b)

14 Details of application fees –

Bank D.D. No./ Date/ Amount/

Bank:

DD Number 200825 dated 11/9/2015

for Amount Rs. 2000/-

ICICI Bank

15 Details of Governing Council/

Managing Committee/ Board

Mr. Rajveer Singh

Ms. Mansi Choudhary

Members. (Enclosed list of M.C.

Members)

Ms. Apoorva Choudhary

Mr. Avinash Ganpatrao Joshi

Annexure-8

16 Any other information about

the agency with attested copies

of supporting documents

Annexure-9

Signature of Authorized Person:

Name: Rajveer Singh

Designation: Managing Director

Seal: