Frequently Asked Questions

The mandatory credentials include: (1) Active mobile number linked to authorized signatory’s Aadhaar, (2) Business PAN matching constitution documents, (3) State GSTIN with active status, (4) Commercial bank account details with a cancelled cheque, (5) Class-3 Digital Signature Certificate (DSC), and (6) MSME Udyam Registration (for micro and small enterprises).

Yes. Recognized Startups holding valid DPIIT certificates are eligible for exemption from prior turnover and prior experience criteria in public tenders, as well as exemption from Earnest Money Deposit (EMD), subject to meeting required technical specifications.

Caution money is a mandatory interest-bearing security deposit placed in a virtual bank account on GeM. It ensures seller discipline, prompt order execution, and serves as collateral against severe buyer incident escalations or unjustified bid withdrawals. The slab ranges from ₹2,000 to ₹10,000 depending on annual turnover.

When an incident is raised, the seller is granted a formal SLA window (typically 5 business days) to submit a factual written clarification with supporting documents (e-way bills, inspection reports, correspondence). GrowForge drafts formal representations citing relevant GeM General Terms and Conditions to resolve disputes amicably.

Golden parameters represent the benchmark technical attributes defined by GeM for each category (e.g. input voltage, tensile strength, RAM capacity). If your listing fails to match these parameters precisely, your product will be excluded from automated buyer comparison filters and direct purchase recommendations.

Product photographs must have a seamless, clean pure white background with zero watermarks, phone numbers, or promotional text. Images must be clear, high resolution (minimum 500x500 pixels), showing the actual product from multiple angles.

Vendor Assessment is conducted by the Quality Council of India (QCI) or RITES. It involves a two-stage evaluation: (1) Desktop Assessment of corporate, machinery, and quality records, and (2) Live Video Assessment verifying manufacturing premises and testing facilities via mobile video call.

A cleared QCI Vendor Assessment Report is officially valid for 3 years from the date of issuance, during which the manufacturer retains certified Quadrant 1 OEM status unless suspended for compliance infractions.

Quadrant 1 OEMs are manufacturers that have successfully cleared the formal physical/video Vendor Assessment by QCI. Quadrant 2 OEMs are manufacturers holding statutory exemptions (e.g. BIS certification licenses or CPSU vendor approvals) that allow brand listing without QCI audit fees.

Through the OEM Dashboard, the brand owner can restrict reseller pairing to only those distributors holding valid OEM Authorization Codes generated by the brand. Any unauthorized trader attempting to pair without permission can be formally delisted via administrative brand infringement requests.

Under the Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) Order, suppliers are classified into Class-I Local Suppliers (local content ≥ 50%) and Class-II Local Suppliers (local content 20% to 50%). In most government bids, Class-I suppliers enjoy margin-of-purchase preference over non-local competitors.

A Bill of Quantities (BOQ) bid involves multiple line-item supplies or complex service delivery. Bidders submit detailed price schedules for each item. The buyer’s committee evaluates technical adherence to Additional Terms and Conditions (ATC) before opening financial bids to determine the composite L1 bidder.

Our training programs are designed for MSME founders, commercial directors, tender managers, bid executives, and sales professionals who want to understand government buying procedures and eliminate costly bidding mistakes.

Under GeM GTC guidelines, once goods are delivered and an e-invoice is uploaded, the buyer consignee must inspect and issue a Consignee Receipt and Acceptance Certificate (CRAC) within 10 days. If the buyer fails to take action within this window, the portal triggers auto-CRAC mechanisms, enabling the release of payment.

No. GrowForge operates on a fixed professional retainer or one-time project fee basis. We charge solely for our technical advisory hours, document preparation, and operational support. We never charge percentage commissions on order values won by our clients.