GeM Vendor Assessment & Deemed OEM Approval
GeM vendor assessment is the quality check many sellers must clear before their products go live on the Government e-Marketplace. We prepare your documents, coordinate the assessment and Deemed OEM requests on the GeM portal, and answer queries until the result comes through.
What it is
GeM vendor assessment is a verification of a seller before it can list products in categories where GeM asks for proof of capability. An outside agency reviews your documents, then checks your premises or process on a video call. The Quality Council of India (QCI) is the agency GeM sellers are currently pointed to.
It is separate from basic seller registration, which we cover on our GeM registration page. Registration gets you an account. Assessment decides which of your products can be sold to government buyers. A Deemed OEM is a different route: an importer, brand owner or system integrator who does not make the product but is authorised by the actual OEM to sell it on GeM.
Who it applies to
Manufacturers and OEMs
If you make the product you list, assessment is the usual route. A factory in Faridabad making industrial fittings, for example, would be assessed on its documents first, then on a video walk-through of the plant.
Resellers asking for Deemed OEM status
If you sell a brand you do not manufacture, the OEM has to authorise you on GeM. GeM then validates that authorisation before your listing is approved.
Sellers who may be exempt
Several seller types are excused. Per GeM seller guidance, these include turnover of ₹500 crore or more, central and state PSUs, BIS-licensed manufacturers and NSIC-registered OEMs. Check before you pay.
Why it matters
Opens restricted categories
Here is the catch: without a valid assessment, listings in the categories that require it stay blocked, and the product never reaches a government buyer.
Builds buyer trust
A completed assessment tells a procurement officer that a third party has looked at your capability.
Lasts three years
Once cleared, it stays valid for three years.
Documents required
Business proof
- Registration certificate or partnership deed / incorporation papers
- PAN and GST registration
- Udyam registration where you are an MSME
Capability proof
- Manufacturing process description and facility details
- ISO, BIS or other quality certificates you hold
- Past work orders and invoices
- Latest financial statements
For Deemed OEM requests
- Authorisation letter from the OEM, in the format GeM prescribes and signed by the OEM
- Beneficial ownership documents of your firm
- Beneficial ownership documents of the authorising OEM
Assessment vs Deemed OEM at a glance
| Vendor assessment | Deemed OEM request | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it suits | Manufacturers and sellers in categories that require it | Importers, brand owners, integrators selling another OEM’s product |
| What is checked | Your capability, documents and process | The OEM’s authorisation and ownership documents |
| Who checks | Assessment agency (QCI) | GeM, with the authorising OEM |
| Result | Assessment certificate, valid three years | Deemed OEM status for the listed brand |
Some sellers need both, such as a Deemed OEM whose category also asks for assessment.
How it works
Check whether you are exempt
We compare your turnover, certificates and seller type against the exemption list before anything is paid. Many BIS-licensed makers and NSIC-registered OEMs can skip this step.
Raise the request on your GeM account
Assessment is started from your seller account under the vendor assessment option. For Deemed OEM, you submit the request against the brand and attach the OEM letter.
Complete the desktop review
The agency reviews your uploaded documents first. In practice, gaps here cause most delays. A trader whose GST name differs from its ISO certificate will be asked to explain. We pre-check every file for this.
Attend the video assessment
An assessor verifies your process or premises on a video call using a mobile application. We brief you on what to show and keep the documents ready.
Track the result and fix queries
If the agency or GeM raises a query, we draft the reply. Once approved, your listings can go live.
Timelines
Deemed OEM validation
GeM guidance describes about five working days from submission, with the authorising OEM given three working days to respond where it is not yet on GeM.
Assessment validity
Three years from approval. Plan renewal a few months before expiry.
Document preparation
Usually the slowest part. A complete set of ISO, GST, financial and process documents saves days.
What happens if you skip it
Listings stay blocked
Products in categories that need assessment cannot be activated. You lose bids you could otherwise have placed.
Deemed OEM request is rejected
If the OEM does not confirm, or the letter is not in GeM’s format, the request is rejected or sent back for documents.
Expired assessment
When validity ends, products can be put on hold until a fresh assessment is cleared.
Frequently asked questions
What is GeM vendor assessment?
It is a third-party check of a seller’s documents and capability, done before products go live in categories that require it. The agency, currently QCI, reviews documents first and then verifies your process on a video call. A cleared assessment stays valid for three years. If you are unsure whether your category needs it, we can check before you pay anything.
Is vendor assessment mandatory for every GeM seller?
No, it applies to sellers in categories that require it, and several seller types are exempt. These include turnover of ₹500 crore or more, central and state PSUs, BIS-licensed manufacturers and NSIC-registered OEMs. Exemptions have conditions, so we match your certificates to the current GeM rules and tell you plainly whether you must apply.
What is a Deemed OEM on GeM?
A Deemed OEM is an importer, brand owner or system integrator who sells a product it does not manufacture, with the real OEM’s written authorisation. GeM validates that authorisation before approving your listing. The letter must follow GeM’s template and be signed by the OEM, which is why we draft and track it with you.
How long does Deemed OEM validation take?
GeM guidance describes roughly five working days from submission. If the authorising OEM is not registered on GeM, it is emailed and gets about three working days to respond. Delays usually come from a letter in the wrong format or missing ownership documents, both of which we check before you submit.
Which agency conducts the assessment?
At present GeM sellers are directed to the Quality Council of India. The review has two parts: a desktop review of your documents and a video assessment of your process or premises. Agencies and rules can change, so we confirm the current arrangement on your GeM account before we start.
How long is a GeM vendor assessment valid?
A cleared assessment is valid for three years. Start the renewal a few months before it ends so your product listings are not put on hold. We keep a reminder for every client and prepare the renewal documents ahead of the date.
Do I need GeM registration before assessment?
Yes. The assessment is raised from your seller account, so you must already be registered on GeM. If you have not registered yet, start with our GeM registration service and we will move on to assessment once the account is active.
Can a startup or small manufacturer get exempted?
Possibly. NSIC-registered OEMs and BIS-licensed manufacturers are listed as exempt, and DPIIT-recognised startups get certain procurement relaxations under the General Financial Rules. Each case depends on your category, so share your certificates and we will tell you whether assessment can be avoided.
What if my assessment is rejected?
You can fix the gaps and apply again. Rejections usually trace back to unclear manufacturing details, mismatched names across documents or missing quality certificates. We review the agency’s remarks, correct the documents and resubmit, so you are not guessing at what went wrong.
What it costs
Our fee plus the government fee that applies to your case, quoted before you commit. Tell us the situation and we will price it exactly.
The agency charges its assessment fee on the GeM portal. We do not quote it here because it is set by the agency and varies by category.
Ready to begin?
Tell us your product category and we will confirm whether you need assessment, exemption or Deemed OEM status.