GeM is the online portal for the Central and State Governments of India. The marketplace is a platform for buyers from both the public and private sectors to digitally procure goods and services. Know more about the facts which you are not aware of!

Bid participation in GeM 101: Facts You Should Know

Integrity, transparency, and the fight against corruption have to be part of the culture. They have to be thought of as fundamental values.  - Angel Gurría, OECD secretary general.

The background of Government E-Marketplace

The government e-marketplace is an initiative that started in 2016 after a proposal of 2 secretaries was submitted to the Prime Minister.  The proposals suggested that the government should set up an E-marketplace for all its products and services procured/sold by Government/PSUs other than improving DGS&D.

In the 2016-17 financial year budget, the government declared creating a stage that was to be driven by innovation for various ministries and government offices. Currently, about 7400 products in about 150 product categories are being bid on, on the portal. Transactions worth Crores have been made on the portal to date.

Facts about the Government E-Marketplace that you may not be aware of:

• Bid participation in GEM is completely paper-free, cashless, and framework-driven. 
• It has a negligible human interface
• Gem makes hunt accessible, it makes them think about, select and purchase facilities easy
• It is a futuristic initiative that makes it simple to purchase and sell on the web 
• It provides simplicity and straightforwardness in purchasing and makes merchant exchange arrangements simple
• Gives the merchant rating framework a ceaseless approach
• Sellers can get suggestions on new product facility
• The pricing is dynamic on the portal as per market conditions
• GEM offers/reverse auction on items/services
• Offers complete transparency

How transparent is the Government E-marketplace (GeM)

It is an open platform for bona fide suppliers who want to work with the government. At each step of the selling and purchasing progression, SMS and email alerts are sent out to both purchasers, his/her head of the association, paying specialists, and additional merchants if any.

GeM bid participation is completely cashless and paperless to avoid any under-the-table transactions and to control corruption in any sector. Online payments and seamless processes are what make GEM just the right platform for any business.  The government E-marketplace has given confidence to the sellers and plummeted their administrative expenditure that involved pursuing officers to make timely payments.

How efficient is the GeM portal

Coordination, buying, and selling are done on GeM in a matter of minutes and the entire procedure is completely on the web. Its value sensibility is end to end incorporated.

For Higher value acquisitions the RA office on the portal is extremely proficient and straightforward. If a purchaser has been institutionalized on GeM they do not have to make their own particular specialized details.

Is the Government E-marketplace safe and secure?

GEM is a completely safe and secure platform. Every archive on GEM is E signed by the buyer and seller at different stages.  All the information regarding the deal is sent to the people involved before, after, and at present through PAN and Aadhar databases.  For high-value bids/RA on GeM, an e-Bank guarantee is also presented.

GEM is definitely the best portal to make deals on, not only to get good leads but also to keep an eye on the predecessors of the providers. GEM does a 100% online check of all sellers independent of the estimation of procurement.

Encouraging Local small scale industries

GeM portal empowers small-scale industries and helps them grow. It helps buyers pick merchandise that has easy market access and availability, automatically promoting local small-scale industries and helping them develop.

The registration process on the GeM portal

• Register your business as a Pvt Ltd or an LLP
• Register your tax details – PAN, Aadhar, GST number 
• Link and register a bank account in the name of the firm
• Register as the GeM seller or service provider online by giving the required documents and information
• E sign the terms and conditions
• Learn selling n GeM by getting a hang of its dashboard and procedures

You can begin selling once your process is completed. For buyers, you simply have to go to the GeM portal, click sign up and register as a buyer and start the process to participate in GeM bid effortlessly.

FAQs for Buyers

Question1: Can I participate in a bid in the gem portal once withdrawn?

No, you cannot, Once you have withdrawn a bid, you are not eligible and authorized to participate again.

Question2: What are the bid validity and bid validity period?

The bid validity and the validity period is the time given to every buyer who wants to bid on a certain tender. Once you have crossed the timeline, you will not be allowed to participate in that particular tender.

Question3: How to ask for an extension of tender time?

Bid Validity can be extended from the opening date for a limited number of days with mutual consent between the buyer and seller. However, a bid cannot be modified once it has crossed its bid submission date. Similarly, bids cannot be withdrawn till the expiry of the bid validity

Question4: Why should you avoid bid-rigging?

Bid rigging leads to non competitive tender processes, which in turn results in buyers paying a higher price and receiving low-quality goods. Victims of bid-rigging tend to pass on an extra cost and lower quality in the supply chain.

Question5: What is a conflict of interest in the bidding process?

Conflict of interest in the bidding process occurs when the bid is influenced or seems to be influenced by a private or personal interest that leads to a personal advantage and by following procedures and by disclosing your roles and duties. This can be avoided. 

GeM portal bid participation was built to curb corruption in an immense way and bring transparency to the system. Vigilant buyers and honest sellers can contribute to the success of this platform and lead the nation towards the right progressive direction. Contact National Tenders for any tender-related information (Link) and we would be happy to help.