GeM Vendor Assessment 2025 – Complete Guide for OEMs & Sellers

The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has emerged as India’s largest online platform for public procurement. To maintain transparency and ensure product quality, GeM has introduced Vendor Assessment (VA) for sellers, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), and brand owners.

Vendor Assessment is not just a formality — it acts as a trust certificate for buyers, proving that the seller is financially stable, has authentic operations, and the capability to deliver quality products consistently.

At Tender18, we help businesses complete their GeM Vendor Assessment smoothly so that they can focus on growing their sales and winning government tenders.

What is GeM Vendor Assessment

Vendor Assessment is a verification process conducted by RITES (Rail India Technical & Economic Service) on behalf of GeM. Earlier, this responsibility was managed by the Quality Council of India (QCI), but now RITES handles the complete procedure.

It evaluates sellers on three major parameters:

• Vendor Profile – Business presence, ownership, and legal standing
• Financial Profile – Turnover, financial documents, and stability
• Production Capability – Manufacturing capacity, quality assurance, and infrastructure

This ensures only credible and qualified sellers participate on GeM, making the procurement ecosystem more reliable.

Is Vendor Assessment Mandatory for Everyone

• Mandatory for: OEMs in Q1 & Q2 categories and OEMs managing reseller panels.
• Optional for: Other categories, but highly recommended to improve credibility and chances of selection.
• Exempted sellers: Certain organizations and sellers (explained later) are not required to go through Vendor Assessment.

Benefits of GeM Vendor Assessment

✔️ Essential for Q1 & Q2 Products – Mandatory for sellers dealing with Q1/Q2 categories.
✔️ VA Tag on GeM – Vendors get the “VA Verified” tag, instantly boosting buyer confidence.
✔️ Higher Seller Ratings – Assessed vendors enjoy better ratings in the GeM ecosystem.
✔️ Faster Product Approvals – Verified sellers get priority in product listings.
✔️ Improved Reputation – Builds long-term credibility with government buyers.

Who Can Apply for Vendor Assessment

1. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs): Direct manufacturers, assemblers, or third-party producers.
2. Brand Owners (Non-Manufacturing): If manufacturing is outsourced, brand owners can apply by submitting agreements with their partner.
3. Deemed OEMs (Overseas Products): For goods manufactured outside India but sold by an Indian entity.

GeM Vendor Assessment Process (Step-by-Step)

Vendor Assessment is completed in two stages: Desktop Assessment & Video Assessment (for OEMs).

1. Initiation

Login to GeM → Navigate to My Account → Vendor Assessment

Upload exemption documents if applicable, otherwise start VA request.

2. Profile & Document Submission

Company profile, production data, sales details, past invoices

Bank and financial records

3. RITES Login Credentials

After submission, seller receives login details for RITES Vendor Portal via email/SMS.

4. Desktop Assessment

Upload required documents on RITES portal.

Pay Vendor Assessment fees online.

5. Non-Compliance Resolution

If discrepancies are found, sellers must resolve them within 2 days.

6. Video Assessment (For OEMs Only)

Download “RITES-GeM VA” Android App

A video meeting is scheduled for site verification

Covers production line, QA process, and facility geo-tagging

7. Approval & Report

RITES issues the Vendor Assessment Report

Approved sellers are marked as VA Verified on GeM

⏳ Timeline: The complete process is usually finished within 15 working days of fee payment.

Vendor Assessment Exemption on GeM

Some sellers are exempted from Vendor Assessment. Exemption applies to:

• Annual turnover of ₹500 Cr+ in any of the last 3 years
• Central/State PSUs, Govt. backed organizations
• Small sellers with turnover ≤ ₹5 lakh (direct sales only, up to ₹25,000 per unit)
• Handicrafts, artwork & non-standard manufacturing categories
• KVIC, WDO, Coir Board, TRIFED, Govt. Societies/Trusts
• OEMs registered with NSIC, holding BIS license, or UCC from DRDO/OFB/SITRA
• Sellers recommended by CPSEs or Govt. Departments

👉 Exempt sellers simply need to upload exemption documents in their GeM login.

Checklist for GeM Vendor Assessment

Here’s a list of documents required:

• GSTIN Certificate
• Incorporation / MCA Registration
• Product catalogues (regular & customized)
• Manufacturing & QA process details
• Production capacity proofs
• Supplier details & raw material invoices
• Process flow diagrams
• Past government/private work orders
• Warranty terms, SOPs, safety manuals
• Quality certifications (ISO, BIS, etc.)
• R&D collaborations, patents, or trademarks (if available)

RITES may ask for additional documents depending on product/service type.

GeM Vendor Assessment Fees

For OEMs:

• Turnover ≤ ₹20 Lakh → ₹871.61 + GST
• ₹20 Lakh – ₹1 Cr → ₹1,743.22 + GST
• Above ₹1 Cr → ₹3,486.44 + GST

For Resellers:

• Turnover ≤ ₹20 Lakh → ₹217.90 + GST
• ₹20 Lakh – ₹1 Cr → ₹435.81 + GST
• Above ₹1 Cr → ₹871.61 + GST

👉 Exempt categories → No Fees

Validity of Vendor Assessment

• Vendor Assessment remains valid for 2 years.
• After expiry, sellers must reapply for renewal.

OEM Panel & Brand Listing on GeM

• After successful Vendor Assessment, OEMs can request access to the OEM Panel.
• OEM Panel allows manufacturers to authorize resellers and control product distribution.
• Brand listing is possible if:
• Seller owns a registered trademark
• Seller owns a brand without trademark registration
• Seller has no brand but wants OEM dashboard access

FAQs For OEM Panel

Q1. What is GeM Vendor Assessment
It is the official validation of a seller’s financial, operational, and manufacturing credibility by RITES on behalf of GeM.

Q2. Is Vendor Assessment mandatory for everyone
No. It’s mandatory for OEMs in Q1/Q2 categories and OEMs with reseller panels. Others may opt for it voluntarily.

Q3. Who conducts Vendor Assessment

RITES (Rail India Technical & Economic Service).

Q4. What is the validity of VA
2 years. Renewal is required after that.

Q5. What is Deemed Vendor Assessment
For sellers who market products manufactured outside India under an Indian entity.

Q6. What is the OEM Panel in GeM
A dashboard for OEMs to manage and authorize resellers.

How Tender18 Helps with Vendor Assessment on GeM

The GeM Vendor Assessment process can seem lengthy and document-heavy. At Tender18, our experts provide:

📂 End-to-end support with document preparation
🔍 Pre-check to avoid RITES rejections
🎥 Assistance for Video Assessment setup
📝 Help with exemption requests
🚀 Faster approvals to boost GeM presence

With our guidance, sellers can complete Vendor Assessment without delays and focus on scaling their government business.

Conclusion

GeM Vendor Assessment is not just a compliance step — it’s a gateway to credibility, trust, and faster growth in the government marketplace. OEMs, brand owners, and resellers should complete the process to gain an edge in government tenders.

At Tender18, we make Vendor Assessment simple, fast, and hassle-free — so that your business can reach the next level on GeM.