Read the whole bid before you price it
A GeM bid document is usually a PDF with a standard first part generated by the portal, followed by the buyer's specifications, BoQ (if any) and Additional Terms and Conditions. Sellers who read only the first page miss the conditions that cause most rejections. Give every bid you shortlist one complete reading with a checklist, and note questions for the buyer as you go.
Bid details: dates, numbers and buyer
- ✓Bid number (GEM/year/B/number) — use it in every query
- ✓Bid end date and time, and bid opening date
- ✓Bid validity (in days from the end date)
- ✓Buyer ministry, department, organisation and office
- ✓Type of bid: product, service, BoQ, bunch or custom; and whether reverse auction is enabled
- ✓Evaluation method: total value, item-wise or group-wise
Eligibility and exemptions
Look for the minimum average annual turnover (for bidder and sometimes OEM), years of experience, and past performance. Then look for the lines on exemption: whether MSEs and startups are exempted from experience and turnover criteria. The bid also states whether MSE purchase preference and Make in India preference apply, and the minimum local content required.
Money: EMD and ePBG
Note the EMD amount, how it must be paid, and who is exempt. Note whether ePBG is required, its percentage and validity. Both affect your cash flow and therefore your price. If you claim EMD exemption, the bid tells you which document proves it — usually Udyam for MSEs and the DPIIT certificate for startups.
Specification, BoQ and consignees
Compare the specification line by line with what you will offer. In a BoQ bid, download the BoQ template and check each line's unit and quantity. Then open the consignee list: each consignee has an address and quantity, and the delivery period applies to all of them. A bid that looks local can have consignees spread across a state.
ATC: the buyer's additional terms
The Additional Terms and Conditions are where buyers add what the standard template does not cover: extra certificates, a site visit, installation and training, warranty length, service centres, penalty for delay, or documents to be uploaded. Read every ATC clause and confirm you can meet it. If a clause seems restrictive or unclear, ask through the bid's query or pre-bid process before the deadline.
Corrigenda and a final check
Before you submit, check whether any corrigendum has been issued — dates, quantities and even specifications can change. Do one last pass of your checklist against the latest version, and only then submit.
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Frequently asked questions
What is ATC in a GeM bid?
ATC (Additional Terms and Conditions) are conditions the buyer adds to the standard GeM terms — such as extra documents, warranty, installation or penalties. They are part of the bid and bind the seller.
What is a consignee in a GeM bid?
The consignee is the buyer-side office and location where the goods or services are to be delivered. A bid can have several consignees, each with its own quantity.
Where is the BoQ in a GeM bid?
In a BoQ bid, the item list is provided as a template on the bid. Download it, fill in your rates line by line, and upload it as the bid instructs.
What if the bid is changed after I read it?
Changes are published as corrigenda on the bid. Check for them before you submit and again before the bid closes.
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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