The use of the GeM portal is increasing day by day to bring transparency and streamline government procurement. The sellers on the GeM portal often come across the word “ATC in GEM”. But what is it and why should you care about it? Let’s understand this.
What is ATC in GEM?
ATC’s full form is additional terms and conditions. These are additional conditions for procurement. ATC in GEM is added in the tender or bid document to cater to buyers’ special needs. They are optional for the buyer but legally binding on the seller.
GTC (General terms and conditions) are the same for all kinds of tenders while ATC (additional terms and conditions) are defined by the buyer, and could differ from tender to tender.
The goal of ATC in GEM is to give buyers flexibility so that they can include the operational and technical requirements of their departments.
What is the Difference Between GTC and ATC?
| Aspect | GTC (General Terms) | ATC (Additional Terms) |
| Who creates it? | GeM Platform | Individual Buyer (Department) |
| Applies to all bids? | Yes | No, only to the bid where it is added |
| Can it be changed? | No | Yes, as per the buyer’s requirements |
| Where is it shown? | In the bid document by default | Separately in the ATC section |
What is Included in the ATC Document?
Every buyer can add ATC in GEM as per their requirement. Usually, it has the following overheads:
1. Delivery timeline: In how many days they want the goods or service
2. Installation Requirement: If onsite installation is required
3. Warranty/ AMC: How many years of warranty or annual maintenance contract is needed.
4. Service support: How quick should the support service be?
5. Certifications: Like ISO, BIS, or other certifications required
6. Penalty clauses: Fine for not delivering on time
7. Training/ User manual: Guide or user manual for software or machines
8. Documentation: GST declaration, EPF certificate, etc.
Example to understand ATC
Suppose the Ministry of Health wants to buy 200 biometric machines. The buyer wants:
1. All machines to be delivered within 10 days
2. Onsite installation and demos
3. Minimum 2 years of warranty
4. Proof of installation and signed service report
The buyer adds all these expectations in the form of ATC in GEM. This means that the seller not only has to supply the products but also has to adhere to terms related to installations, documentation, and timeline.
Why is ATC important for Sellers?
1. It gives clarity about the requirements before bidding
2. Could prevent bid rejection
3. Service and delivery expectations are confirmed in advance
4. There is no contractual misunderstanding
If the seller does not read the atc gem and fails to fulfill the terms and conditions of installation and service. Then their bid could be rejected. The seller could be blacklisted or be liable for a penalty.
Why does the Buyer add ATC in GEM?
Every government department has different kinds of requirements. Some only want to buy the product or services, others might also want installation, support and training. Adding atc gem ensures buyers that:
1. The product or service they are buying meets their requirements
2. The seller is responsible
3. There is no grey area left in the entire process.
GeM portal provides an option to buyers to add ATC in GEM.
How to Identify and Read ATC in GEM?
Whenever you download a tender or bid document from GeM, look for a section called “Buyer added Additional Terms and Conditions” This can either be in PDF format or on an online webpage. The bidder should read this section thoroughly before accepting it.
Is ATC in GEM the Same for all Tenders?
No, it is not the same in all tenders. Some tenders don’t even have atc gem, and some have very detailed ATC. For example:
1. In IT products, installation and warranty is usually important.
2. Certification is required in medical devices.
3. Delivery and location specific clauses are common in furniture or logistics procurement
Top 5 Common Mistakes by Sellers
1. Accepting ATC in GEM without reading it
2. Ignoring the delivery terms
3. Carelessness in documentation
4. Taking the service and warranty lightly
5. Trying to negotiate the ATC with the buyer (which is not allowed)
A Quick Checklist for Sellers
Here are a few quick questions you can ask yourself as a seller before bidding in a tender with ATC.
1. Have you completely read and understood the atc gem before submitting it?
2. Is the installation/service scope clear to you?
3. Are the documentation/annexures ready?
4. Could you supply in the given timeline?
5. Have you clearly understood penalty clause?
How BidAssist Could Help?
ATC in GEM is important for all the sellers who want to sell their goods and services to the government. These are not merely regular terms and conditions that you accept without reading. ATC in GEM are binding contractual agreements. Ignoring ATC GEM can result in serious financial loss. If you want to successfully bid, ensure that you completely understand ATC, and prepare your offer accordingly.
Tender documents could be grueling. You could leave the heavy lifting of identifying the right tenders, matching eligibility criteria and keeping up the submission dates to BidAssit. It is a pan India tender aggregation platform that gives personalized notifications of tenders that are relevant to you so that you can focus on drafting a winning proposal.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions Related to ATC in GEM
Q1: What is ATC in GeM?
A: Additional terms and conditions that are added by the buyer in specific tenders
Q2: Are ATC and GTC the same?
A: No, GTC applies to all tenders while ATC is buyer defined for specific tenders.
Q3: Does every tender have ATC?
A: No, GCT is present in every tender, but ATC is only there if is added by the buyer
Q4: What happens if you do not comply with ATC?
A: Your bid could get rejected, you could be blacklisted, or you could be liable to a penalty.
Q5 Where to find ATC in a tender?
A: You could find it in the “ATC” or “ Buyer added conditions” sections of the tender document.