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.