One question must linger in your mind once your GeM registration is finished. How would buyers differentiate between authorized and unauthorized sellers? They both look completely identical. Then how an authorized seller like you has an advantage over them? This is where OEM Panel comes into the picture. In the ever-evolving landscape of public procurement, technology has paved the way for revolutionary transformations. One such innovation is the OEM Panel on the GeM portal, which provides a streamlined procurement process for government entities and vendors. This service has been designed to cater to the  detailed requirements of both parties involved, ensuring efficiency and transparency. It has greatly benefited firms by simplifying the procurement process and creating a more conducive business environment.

Let’s delve into the intricacies of the OEM Panel including how to effectively utilize it.

What is Original equipment manufacturer Panel?

The OEM Panel on Government e-Marketplace (GeM) is a specialized platform designed to streamline the procurement process by enabling government agencies and institutions to purchase goods directly from manufacturers. This platform categorizes the products offered by various companies and ensures compliance with government policies to promote transparency and efficiency in procurement. In simpler words, it connects government entities with the original creators of products, bypassing unauthorized sellers. This not only leads to cost savings but also ensures the authenticity and quality of the products procured.

What are the advantages of OEM Panel in Government e-Marketplace?

There are several advantages to participating in the OEM Panel program. These include:

Authenticity and Quality:

By validating the vendors and conducting thorough assessments on GeM, the OEM Panel ensures that the products are authentic and of high quality. By directly connecting with manufacturers, they eliminate any chances of counterfeit products, providing customers with a trustworthy and reliable platform to purchase gemstones. This reduces the risk of counterfeit or substandard items entering the procurement process.

Cost Efficiency:

OEMs can effectively reduce their marketing and sales expenses by leveraging the
Government e-Marketplace (GeM) platform for selling their products. By directly selling to the government through GeM, OEMs can eliminate the need for extensive marketing  campaigns and can tap into the platform's extensive reach. Additionally, GeM allows OEMs to showcase their production capacity, ensuring that their manufacturing capabilities are properly highlighted and easily accessible to potential buyers. They can also reduce their logistics costs by handling the shipping and delivery of products to government buyers.

Manage Resellers:

OEMs have the capability to add and remove resellers, as well as set commission rates and track sales performance. These professional procedures allow OEMs to have greater control over their distribution channels and ensure optimal performance. Additionally, OEMs can conduct vendor assessments on GeM to evaluate the competency and reliability of potential resellers. This can help OEMs ensure that their products are being sold by reputable resellers and that they are getting a fair return on their investment.

Manage Catalogues and Authorizations:

OEMs can efficiently manage their category, including products and services, and authorizations through the OEM Panel program. This program allows OEMs to effectively manage and update their catalogues, ensuring accurate information is provided to their customers and authorized distributors. With the OEM Panel program, OEMs can streamline their management process and maintain  control over their offerings. This includes the ability to add and remove products from their catalogues, and to grant or revoke authorization to resellers to sell their products. This can help OEMs to control the distribution of their products and to ensure that they are only sold by authorized resellers.

Protection from Unauthorized Sellers:

The OEM Panel program provides verification and protection to OEMs by ensuring that only approved products from relevant suppliers are sold on the platform. This helps prevent unauthorized sellers from selling counterfeits or low-quality items, and gives confidence to OEMs that their products are being sold and marketed by trusted parties. This also ensures that the products are of high quality and meet the requirements of government buyers. Additionally, the OEM Panel program has a system for reporting and investigating unauthorized sellers.

Preferences in Some Bids:

In some cases, OEMs who are part of the OEM Panel program may be given preferences in bids. This means that they may be more likely to be awarded a contract than a non-OEM seller. This is because the OEM Panel program is seen as a trusted source for high-quality products.

How to Apply for OEM Panel:

After GeM registration, you should have a valid vendor assessment or exemptions in vendor assessment to qualify for OEM Panel. Once you have created a GeM profile, you can submit an application for the OEM Panel program. Your application will be reviewed by the GeM team, and you will be notified of the status of your application within a few weeks.

How to Use OEM Panel:

Once you have been approved for the OEM Panel program, you can start registering your products on the GeM platform. You can register your products by providing information such as the product name, description, specifications, and price. Once your products have been registered, you can start selling them through the GeM platform. OEMs can also manage both resellers and approvals efficiently.

How to Manage Resellers:

If you want to sell your products through resellers, you can do so through the OEM Panel program. To do this, you will need to create a reseller account on the GeM platform. Once you have created a reseller account, you can invite resellers to join your panel. Resellers will be able to sell your products on the GeM platform and earn a commission on each sale.

To manage resellers in OEM Panel, login to GeM Portal with the credential then go to Profile > My Action > OEM Panel. Here, OEMs can manage resellers by uploading authorization codes important for catalog uploads. Removal of resellers is also possible through the panel by selecting the Remove option.

How to Manage Approvals:

The OEMs can see different requests raised by resellers and approve them in one go. These requests can be Catalogue Approval, MRP approval, etc. OEMs can also check the status of authorization requests. 

Additionally, an OEM can also flag a seller unauthorized. He just needs to select the seller’s name and click on the valid or invalid button. OEMs can also authorize or unauthorize codes of sellers. To do this, they can select sellers in Authorizations tab and click on the valid code or invalid code.

The OEM Panel on Government e-Marketplace represents a leap forward in public procurement practices. By providing a direct link between government entities and original equipment manufacturers, it brings authenticity, cost savings, and innovation to the forefront. As governments continue to embrace digital transformation, platforms like the OEM Panel are shaping a more efficient and transparent procurement landscape. To know more about OEM Panel, how to register on GeM and GeM tender, connect with National Tenders.