Most bids are lost before price is opened
In GeM bids, the price of a seller is opened only if the seller passes technical evaluation. So a large share of lost bids are lost on paperwork — a document missing, a condition not met, a certificate expired. The good news is that these are within your control. The reasons below are the ones sellers run into most often.
Top reasons for technical rejection
- ✓A document asked for in the bid or ATC was not uploaded, or was uploaded in the wrong slot
- ✓Eligibility not met: turnover, past performance or experience below the bid's requirement, without a valid exemption
- ✓Exemption claimed without proof: MSE without a Udyam certificate covering the item, startup without DPIIT recognition
- ✓Offered product does not meet a specification line, or the model offered differs from the one documented
- ✓OEM authorisation missing, wrong bid number, wrong firm name or expired
- ✓Required certificates (BIS, ISO, licences, test reports) missing or expired
- ✓EMD not submitted or not in the required form, where no exemption applies
- ✓Illegible scans, password-protected files or unsigned declarations
Read the ATC as a checklist
Buyers put their specific requirements in the Additional Terms and Conditions. Turn every ATC clause into a checklist line: which document, which format, who signs. If a clause asks for an undertaking, write it on your letterhead, sign it and upload it even if it feels like a formality.
Name, model and numbers must match
Evaluators compare documents with each other. The firm name on the OEM letter should match your GeM profile; the model on the data sheet should match the model offered; the bid number on letters should be this bid's number. Small mismatches are a frequent and avoidable reason for rejection.
A pre-submit checklist
- ✓Latest corrigendum checked; you are working on the current version
- ✓Every document listed in the bid and ATC uploaded, readable and signed where needed
- ✓Exemption documents valid on the bid end date
- ✓Offer matches the specification line by line; deviations, if any, allowed by the bid
- ✓Price covers taxes, delivery to all consignees, installation and warranty as asked
- ✓Submitted with time to spare — not in the last hour
If you are rejected anyway
Read the reason shown on GeM. If it is wrong — for example the document was uploaded — submit a representation within the window GeM allows, pointing to the exact file. If the reason is right, add it to your checklist so it does not happen again.
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Frequently asked questions
Why was my GeM bid rejected in technical evaluation?
The reason is shown on the bid in your GeM account. The most common causes are missing documents, unmet eligibility without valid exemption, specification mismatch, and missing or wrong OEM authorisation.
Can I upload a missing document after the bid closes?
Generally no — documents must be uploaded before the end date. The buyer may seek clarification in some cases, but do not rely on it.
Can I challenge a technical rejection on GeM?
Yes, through a representation within the window GeM gives after technical results are published.
Does a corrigendum change what I must upload?
It can. A corrigendum may add documents or change specifications, so check the latest version of the bid before submitting.
How early should I submit my bid?
Well before the deadline — ideally a day or more — so that signing, upload or connectivity problems do not stop you. GeM does not accept late bids.
Related guides
Rules change. Always confirm the details in the bid document and on gem.gov.in before you bid. · Updated 2026-11-02
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