OEM, reseller and why authorisation exists
The OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) is the company that makes the product or owns the brand. A reseller sells that OEM's products. Government buyers want to be sure that the product is genuine and that warranty and service will be honoured, so GeM and many bids require proof that the OEM has authorised the reseller.
Two kinds of authorisation you may need
- ✓Authorisation on the portal: to list a brand's products in your catalogue as a reseller, the OEM generally has to approve you on GeM
- ✓Bid-specific authorisation: many bids additionally ask for a letter (often called MAF — Manufacturer Authorisation Form) from the OEM for that particular bid, sometimes in a set format and naming the bid number
What a bid-specific letter usually covers
Formats vary, so follow the bid. Common contents are:
- ✓OEM letterhead and signature of an authorised signatory
- ✓Your firm's name as registered on GeM
- ✓Bid number and/or buyer, and the product models covered
- ✓Confirmation of warranty and after-sales support through the OEM or its service network
- ✓Date and validity covering the bid and contract period
Plan for the time it takes
OEMs, especially large ones, route authorisation requests through their channel teams and may take several days. Ask for the letter as soon as you shortlist a bid, give the OEM the exact bid number and format, and check the letter the moment it arrives — a wrong bid number or firm name is as bad as no letter.
PAC bids and brand-specific bids
When a buyer issues a Proprietary Article Certificate (PAC), the bid is limited to one make. Only that OEM and its authorised sellers can compete, so authorisation is essential. In ordinary bids the buyer should describe a specification rather than a brand; if a bid seems to name a brand without a PAC, you can raise it through the query process.
If you are the OEM
Keep your brand and models listed correctly, approve genuine resellers quickly, and maintain a standard authorisation template your channel can request. In categories that require it, complete vendor assessment so that your products and your resellers can participate.
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need OEM authorisation to sell on GeM?
If you are reselling another company's branded product, generally yes — both to list it in your catalogue and, in many bids, as a bid-specific letter. Manufacturers selling their own brand do not need it.
What is MAF in GeM tenders?
MAF (Manufacturer Authorisation Form) is the letter from the OEM authorising a reseller to quote its product in a bid. The bid states whether it is required and in what format.
Can my bid be rejected for a wrong OEM letter?
Yes. A letter with the wrong bid number, a different firm name, an unauthorised signatory or an expired date is a common reason for technical rejection.
How long is an OEM authorisation valid?
It depends on the OEM and the bid. A bid-specific letter should cover at least the bid and the contract period; check any validity the bid asks for.
Can one reseller get authorisation from several OEMs?
Yes. You can be authorised by different OEMs for their brands, and list each brand's products in the relevant categories.
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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