The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has changed how businesses sell to the Indian government. From large defence contracts to everyday office supplies, everything now runs through a standardized bidding system on the GeM portal.
If you are looking to sell to government buyers in India, the GeM portal (Government e-Marketplace) is the place to be. But even before you can start winning contracts, you have to understand the different GeM bid types and how each one of them works.
The types of bids on GeM portal can be quite different depending on the nature of the product or service being procured. From those simple product bids to quite complex reverse auctions and BoQ formats, each type has its own rules and strategies.
In this blog, we’ll explain the main GeM bid types—what they mean, how they work, and which one might be the best fit for your business.
What Are GeM Bid Types?
The GeM bid types basically refer to the formats used by government departments when they request goods or services from sellers on the GeM portal. These formats are there to determine how you, as a seller, need to submit your offer, and how the buyer evaluates your bid.
Understanding the types of bids on GeM portal is crucial because it affects your pricing strategy, documentation, and the overall chances of winning.
Key Types of Bids on GeM Portal
Let’s take a look at the most common types of bids on GeM portal:
1. Product Bids
This is the simplest form among all GeM bid types. In a product bid, buyers only ask for specific products already listed on the GeM catalogue. You only need to match the technical specifications and offer a competitive price.
- Used mainly for standard products (e.g., laptops, printers, chairs).
- Evaluation is done based on price and compliance with specs.
- Things like delivery time and warranty are also considered.
Best for: Sellers with GeM-approved products ready for quick delivery.
Example:
- Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) floated a product bid for items like gel pens, copier paper (ISI marked), desk pads, and pen stands in Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand.
- Category: Gel Pen (V3), Register (V2), Plain Copier Paper (V3) ISI Marked
- Closing Date: 12 June 2025
2. Service Bids
When buyers require services instead of products—like housekeeping, IT support, or security—they float service bids. These bids may involve manpower calculations, monthly charges, and service levels.
- Technical and financial criteria are used for evaluation
- Usually includes scope of work, SLA, and manpower details
- Price is quoted per month or per service unit
Best for: Companies involved in facility management, consulting, or manpower supply.
Example:
- Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, floated a service bid for facility management, including housekeeping, office upkeep, and security.
- Category: Facility Management Services – LumpSum Based – Commercial
- Closing Date: 24 June 2025
3. BoQ (Bill of Quantity) Bids
BoQ bids are used when buyers want vendors to quote prices for a list of items or components in a project. Each item in the list here has a quantity, and vendors have to fill in unit rates.
Among all GeM bid types, BoQ bids are a lot popular for civil, electrical, and infrastructure-related works.
- Total cost is calculated as quantity × unit rate
- Evaluation is based on the lowest total cost
- Excel-based format usually used
Best for: Construction, electrical, hardware, or system integration businesses.
4. Custom Bids
Some requirements are so specific that they don’t fit into standard templates. In all such cases, buyers float custom bids and they include detailed technical specifications.
- Sellers must submit technical compliance documents
- Evaluation may involve technical scrutiny and presentations
- Price negotiation is possible many a times after qualification
Best for: Businesses offering specialized machinery, tailor-made software, or niche solutions.
Example:
- Ministry of Defence (MOD) floated a custom bid for AIAMC of IT Assets for ICGS Pipavav in Amreli, Gujarat.
- Closing Date: 25 June 2025
5. Reverse Auction (RA)
RA is a competitive pricing mechanism used after shortlisting bidders. It’s a powerful tool to reduce procurement costs and increase transparency.
In RA, the technically qualified vendors bid against each other by lowering prices in real time.
- Used only after technical evaluation
- Sellers can see the lowest bid (without revealing bidder name)
- Time-bound bidding window
RA is one of the more aggressive GeM bid types, and preparation is key to stay competitive.
In many MOD tenders, including telecom maintenance or IT AMC services, RAs are conducted after technical evaluation.
Best for: Businesses confident about their pricing and delivery capabilities.
Why Understanding GeM Bid Types Matters
If you don’t know the types of bids on GeM portal, you risk:
- Missing documentation deadlines
- Quoting in the wrong format
- Under- or over-pricing your offer
- Losing out on Reverse Auction participation
By understanding each bid type, you can tailor your approach, improve your win rate, and make your tendering process more efficient.
Tips to Succeed with Any GeM Bid Type
- Read the bid document carefully: Every detail matters, from payment terms to delivery schedule.
- Prepare documents in advance: Keep your product certificates, company profile, and compliance documents ready.
- Price competitively but wisely: Don’t go too low unless you’re sure you can fulfill the contract profitably.
- Track opportunities daily: Use tools like BidAssist to get real-time alerts for new GeM bid types that match your profile.
Explore Active GeM Tenders on BidAssist
BidAssist lets you explore thousands of active GeM tenders every day with detailed filters by location, department, and category.
A Few Examples:
- Indian Navy Tender – ₹8.3 lakh telecom cable replacement project in Visakhapatnam.
- Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA) – Chemical product supply in Bengaluru.
- Indian Army Tender – Toner cartridge procurement in Jaisalmer.
You can even save filters or set up WhatsApp alerts to never miss a relevant tender.
Final Thoughts
The types of bids on GeM portal, whether it’s product bids, BoQ, custom bids, or reverse auctions, actually play a huge role in how government procurement is done today. Each GeM bid type requires a different strategy, so it’s important to understand them well before submitting your offer.
BidAssist helps you stay ahead by providing timely alerts, document summaries, and bid tracking for all major GeM bid types—so you never miss an opportunity.
Start exploring the right GeM bids for your business today with BidAssist.