Government E-Marketplace

Government E-Marketplace was an initiative launched in 2016 by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. The primary objective of this government portal was to build a transparent procurement platform for the government buyers.

What is Government E-Marketplace?

Government E-Marketplace is an online marketplace for public procurement in India that facilitates procurement of goods and services required by numerous Government Organizations, Departments, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).

Upsides of Government E-Marketplace for Buyers

• The intuitive dashboard helps buyers monitor supplies and payments.
• Money-return policy assures the buyers their money is in safe hands.
• It boosts transparency and simplifies the buying process by making the goods/services available online.
• The initiative ensures a consistent vendor rating system.
• It facilitates the search, comparison, selection, and buying options.

Upsides of Government E-Marketplace for Sellers

• The online portal allows sellers to access the new product suggestion facility.
• It is a one-stop shop for boosting the sales of their Goods and Services with ease.
• AIt is an all-in-one solution for bids or reverse auctions on products and services.
• It streamlines the pricing part by changing the rates based on current market conditions.
• The initiative uniformizes purchase procedures.
• It offers an intuitive dashboard that helps sellers list their goods & services effortlessly on this portal and facilitates monitoring supplies and payments.

The Government E-Marketplace emerges as an all-around beneficial resource for buyers as well as sellers. Building more transparent procurement platforms such as this will enable government buyers to maintain a trusting relationship with the government, allowing such transactions to prosper.

FAQs on Government E-Marketplace

Q.1. Why was Government E-Marketplace Launched?

The primary reason behind the launch of the Government E-Marketplace was to enhance the transparency, speed, and efficiency for the procurement of goods and services in India, specifically for government purchasers/contractors. It also aims at providing a one-stop-shop for government buyers and sellers (OEMs).

Q.2. Is it Compulsory to Purchase from the Government e-Marketplace?

Yes, since the establishment of the government e-marketplace, the government of India has made it mandatory for all the ministries and departments to source goods and services from this online platform.

The credentials of suppliers selling their Goods and Services on GeM shall be certified by DGS&D. The procuring authorities will determine the price of the Goods and Services listed on this portal.

Q.3. Is there any Fee to Procure from Government E-Marketplace?

The sellers can participate and post their goods and services on GeM without incurring any registration fee. Besides being a completely free platform, government e-marketplace aids transparency and simplifies purchasing goods and services for government buyers immensely.

Q.4. Who Can Buy the Goods and Services on Government E-Marketplace [GeM]?

Only the government buyers can make a direct online purchase ranging between Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 5,00,000, as per the provisions of rule 149 (ii) of GFR, 2017. However, the buyer must ensure that the supplier offers the goods/services at the minimum cost compared to other sellers.

It means the private companies are not allowed to buy from the government e-marketplace. However, if they want to buy something, those companies need to take The Cabinet’s approval.

Q.5. Who is the Owner of the Government E-Marketplace?

Prashant Kumar Singh is the current CEO of the Government e-Marketplace, from 25th March 2021.

Q.6. Who is Seller in Government E-Marketplace?

All the verified sellers in the government e-marketplace will be the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) or their resellers having a general dealership of the OEM to sell their product online.