You want to know how to do LI (Limited Item / Limited Item Bidding / Limited Item Listing) on the GeM (Government e-Marketplace) portal . I’ll explain step by step in simple terms: 🔹 What is LI on GeM? On GeM, LI (Lowest Identified / Limited Item) generally refers to Lowest Bidder (L1) identification in tenders/RA (Reverse Auction). Sometimes users also say "LI" when they mean Limited Item Listing (putting a product/service with limited specifications). So I’ll cover both contexts : ✅ If you mean LI as Lowest Identified (L1) Bidder in Bid/RA This is when you want to participate in bids/tenders and become LI (lowest price supplier) . Steps: Login → Go to gem.gov.in and log in with your Seller ID. Search Opportunities → In the "Bids / RA" section, filter by your category/product/service. Check Eligibility → Read buyer requirements carefully (OEM, brand, compliance, experience, etc.). Quote Your Price → Submit your bid with the best comp...
(ADVANCE) How to explain GeM (Government e-Marketplace) to newcomers: It's important to start simple, build up gradually, and use relatable examples.
🟦 How to Explain GeM (Advanced Level) to Newcomers
Goal: Make even complex features easy to understand using real-world examples.
🧩 Step 1: Start Simple – A Relatable Analogy
"Imagine Amazon or Flipkart – but it's only for the Government. Ministries, schools, public hospitals, and other government offices buy laptops, printers, furniture, or even services like cleaning and IT support – all through one secure, transparent platform: GeM."
This sets a base understanding. Now, build from here.
🧱 Step 2: Explain Why GeM Exists – The 'Why' Behind It
Before GeM:
Government procurement was slow, involved lots of paperwork.
Prone to favoritism, corruption, and overpricing.
With GeM:
Everything is digital, fast, and trackable.
Saves money for the government.
Provides equal opportunity to MSMEs, startups, female entrepreneurs, and even rural sellers.
🧠 Tip: Use this example:
“A school in Assam can now directly buy laptops from a startup in Bangalore – no middlemen, no commissions.”
🔧 Step 3: Key Functionalities (With Examples)
| Functionality | What it Means | Real-life Example |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Purchase | Buy items under ₹25,000 without bidding. | A local office buys 3 chairs directly. |
| L1 Bidding | Buy based on lowest price (L1). | An IT Dept posts a bid for 100 keyboards. |
| Reverse Auction | Sellers compete to quote lower prices. | Govt hospital buys 50 air purifiers. |
| BOQ (Bill of Quantity) | Used for large or custom requirements. | PWD builds a 10-room school. |
“Reverse auction is like an online auction, but instead of raising prices, sellers keep lowering them to win the deal.”
🔍 Step 4: GeM for Sellers – How They Benefit
Who can become a seller?
Individual entrepreneurs
Startups
MSMEs
Artisans, SHGs, Women-led units
Benefits:
Access to a large government market
Instant online visibility
Timely payments (through PFMS)
🎯 Example:
“A handicraft seller from Rajasthan can now sell handmade décor to a Central Govt ministry in Delhi – with full payment tracking.”
🧑💻 Step 5: Advanced Seller Tools
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Catalog Management | Add, edit, and update products/services. |
| Performance Metrics | Track ratings, order fulfillment, delivery times. |
| OEM Uploads | Register as Original Equipment Manufacturer. |
| Brand Listing | Register and protect your product brand. |
| Custom Bidding | Offer tailored quotes for complex tenders. |
🧾 Step 6: Compliance & Legal Side
GFR 2017 (General Financial Rules) guide all procurement.
Mandatory Product Specifications, Delivery Timelines, Service Levels.
Sellers may be blacklisted if they:
Delay delivery repeatedly
Provide fake documents
Fail quality checks
🧠 Clarify like this:
“Just like Amazon can block a seller with bad reviews, GeM too blocks sellers who don’t follow rules.”
📊 Step 7: Real Impact of GeM (Optional Add-On for Training)
| Metric | Data Point (as of 2024–2025) |
|---|---|
| Total Transaction Value | ₹3+ Lakh Crore |
| Number of Sellers | Over 60 Lakh registered sellers |
| MSME Contribution | 57% of total order value |
| Savings to Govt | ₹40,000+ Crore (approx. due to fair pricing) |
🎓 Final Tips for Trainers or Presenters
Use live demo of https://gem.gov.in.
Show a sample bidding process.
Share success stories from real sellers.
Address common myths:
❌ “Only big companies can sell” → ✅ Even SHGs and artisans can register.
❌ “It’s complicated” → ✅ Once you learn it, it’s very smooth.
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