Preliminary Examination. 18.3.1 The Bank will examine the Bids to determine whether they are complete, the documents have been properly signed, supporting papers/ documents attached and the bids are generally in order. 18.3.2 The Bank may, at its sole discretion, waive any minor infirmity, nonconformity or irregularity in a Bid which does not constitute a material deviation, provided such a waiver does not prejudice or affect the relative ranking of any Bidder. 18.3.3 Prior to the detailed evaluation, the Bank will determine the substantial responsiveness of each Bid to the Bidding document. For the purposes of these Clauses, a substantially responsive Bid is one, which conforms to all the terms and conditions of the Bidding Document without material deviations. Deviations from or objections or reservations to critical provisions, such as those concerning Bid security / EMD, performance security, qualification criteria, insurance, Force Majeure etc. will be deemed to be a material deviation. The Bank's determination of a Bid's responsiveness is to be based on the contents of the Bid itself, without recourse to extrinsic evidence. 18.3.4 If a Bid is not substantially responsive, it will be rejected by the Bank and may not subsequently be made responsive by the Bidder by correction of the nonconformity. 18.3.5 The Bidder is expected to examine all instructions, forms, terms and specification in the Bidding Document. Failure to furnish all information required by the Bidding Document or to submit a Bid not substantially responsive to the Bidding Document in every respect will be at the Bidder's risk and may result in the rejection of its Bid. 18.4
