The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) Portal has revolutionised the Indian procurement landscape. The Government of India has set up a dedicated e-market for various types of goods and services procured by Government Organisations, PSUs and Departments. The purpose of GeM is to establish an inclusive platform and bring in transparency, efficiency and a faster pace in public procurements. The platform offers options like e-bidding, reverse e-auction and demand aggregation to create a sustainable ecosystem for all stakeholders, be it startups, MSMEs or Emporium products. 

If you are a business owner and want to dive into this lucrative market, read this article to understand the GEM Portal Registration Process. This article will also highlight the necessary GEM Portal Documents and give an insight into the GEM Portal Fees structure.

Go Digital – Benefits of GEM Portal Registration

GEM portal registration offers a fully online platform with no hassles of paperwork or physical contact.The dashboard is user-friendly and one can easily monitor supplies and payments on it. It’s a transparent system wherein all sellers are shown reasons for rejection too. 

The GEM Portal Registration offers a plethora of other benefits like:

• Access to a sea of government tenders – You can connect with various government departments across the country and expand your horizons in establishing a larger customer base.
• Efficient and transparent procurement process – GEM portal registration offers a uniform playing field for all stakeholders and streamlines the bidding process.
• Cost Effectiveness – An online platform like GEM reduces operational costs associated with traditional methods of tender participation.
• Flexible pricing – The pricing is based on the current market situation and adapts accordingly.
• A Chance to Get Noticed and Get Chosen – GEM portal registration lets you showcase your products and services to a wider audience and lets you drive higher for what you offer.
• Special Provisions – GEM portal registration offers special provisions for startups, MSMEs and Emporium products with special sections for each on the portal.
• NE and J&K – A vendor belonging to a North-East state or from J&K is exempted from ITR while submitting their bids.

GEM Portal Fees – Understanding the Structure

GEM Portal fees for registration is zero. You are not charged GEM portal fees for creating an account, participating in bids or in product approvals. Of course, you will have to bear additional service charges for brand listing and vendor assessment.

The Vendor assessment fee for GEM certification is as follows:

• For an annual turnover up to 20 lakhs, the vendor assessment fee inclusive of GST will be ₹871.61.
• For an annual turnover between 20 lakhs to 1 Cr, the vendor assessment fee inclusive of GST will be ₹1743.22.
• Finally, for an annual turnover of more than 1 Cr, the vendor assessment fee inclusive of GST will be ₹3486.44. 

The caution money deposit for sellers with a turnover of less than 1 Cr, between 1 to 10 Cr and for more than 10 Cr are ₹5000, ₹10,000 and ₹25,000 respectively.

GeM Portal fees are not applicable to any company, whatsoever. However, GEM transaction charges will be applicable to sellers who surpass the threshold limit of SMV. Please note that the GEM transaction charges are applicable only on orders that exceed a value of  ₹5 lakh. The seller can pay the applicable GEM transaction charges at the time of accepting an order. The GEM transaction charges are listed below –

List of GEM Portal Documents

To begin with, during GEM portal registration, one has to ensure that the following documents are handy on them, though there are no GEM portal fees for registration itself.

• PAN card for proof of business identity
• Aadhaar card of the applicant in case of an individual registration 
• Udyog Aadhaar or MSME certificate – This is optional and is required for enhancing your profile or for eligibility for specific tenders.
• A cancelled cheque copy to verify bank account details.
• Additional documents may be required like photos of the product, certain certifications, brochures, and so on.

A Step-by-Step Guide to GEM Portal Registration Process

1. Create an account – Start your GEM Portal Registration by creating an account on the GEM portal http://gem.gov.in/ using your Aadhaar or PAN card. The registration should be done only by an authorised person from the organisation. The GEM portal fees are zero.
2. Complete your organisation profile –  The seller must provide accurate and detailed information about their business. Completing the organisation profile involves PAN validation, details of the company, location of the company and its bank account details. Pay the caution money, if applicable.
3. Upload the necessary GEM portal documents – The seller must ensure that all the mandatory and relevant documents are uploaded correctly.
4. Select your product/service categories – Brand listing is an important step during GEM portal registration. The vendors can list their brands in the relevant category of products and services. 
5. Listing of products – Once the brand listing is done, the sellers have to list their products and services on the GEM portal. These products and services will go live on the portal after it is authorised by the concerned GEM departments.
6. Submit your application – The seller must review their details thoroughly before hitting the ‘submit’ button.
7. Start bidding – Once the GEM portal registration is completed, the sellers can participate in bids and also accept orders on the portal. An OEM is also authorised to appoint resellers to list their products and services once they are approved on the portal.

Essential tips for a seamless experience in GEM portal registration

1. Accuracy is the key – Double-check all the documentation work before submitting them.
2. When in doubt, ask! – Seek clarification and utilise the GEM portal helpdesk for any queries to avoid making mistakes.
3. Stay up-to-date – A seller must always be on their toes and regularly check the GM website for the latest guidelines and updates.

Remember, GEM portal registration is only the first step. Once registered, explore the GEM portal resources and engage with other businesses for further guidance and insights into growing your own business.

For any query on GEM, GEM Portal Registration, GEM Portal Fees, GEM Portal Documents, feel free to reach out on BidAssist support