To ensure fair competition, government procurement rules prohibit buyers from framing technical specifications that limit competition or favor a specific brand.
Important Compliance Disclaimer
Before starting, please note that SahayakAI is an independent, private technology platform. We are not affiliated with, authorized, or officially connected with the Government e-Marketplace (GeM Portal) or the Government of India. The official portal is hosted at https://gem.gov.in. Use this manual for educational guidance, and always verify current criteria on the official site.
Identifying Restrictive Specs
Common examples of restrictive parameters include:
- Demanding proprietary certificates not relevant to the product category.
- Specifying dimensions that match only one manufacturer's catalog.
- Excluding legitimate equivalent options without technical justification.
How to Appeal Restrictive Specs
If you detect restrictive parameters, follow these steps to appeal:
- Submit a Pre-Bid Representation: Input your query through the GeM portal dashboard before the specified representation end date.
- Reference Guidelines: Cite GFR 2017 Rule 144(i)(b) which mandates that specifications should not be restrictive.
- Propose Alternatives: Suggest standard certifications (e.g. BIS, ISO) instead of brand-specific criteria.
For help drafting these requests formally, try our Tender Clarification Letter Writer.
SahayakAI Mission
SahayakAI ka mission hai Bharat ke businesses ko Government procurement ko aasaan tareeke se samajhne aur confidently participate karne me madad karna. Hum AI-powered productivity tools, practical guidance aur compliance-first approach ke through sellers ko empower karte hain, taaki woh Government e-Marketplace (GeM) Portal aur anya public procurement platforms par behtar tareeke se kaam kar sakein.
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