Everything sellers ask about GeM bidding, eligibility, EMD and how BidMantra's AI-first co-pilot works.
Getting started
What exactly is BidMantra?+
An AI-powered co-pilot for GeM bidding that reaches you on the channel you choose — WhatsApp, Telegram, Email or SMS. It finds the government tenders that fit your business, gives a clear GO / NO-GO on each, and drafts the full bid paperwork — so you spend time only on the bids you can win.
What do I need before I start?+
A GeM seller account, GST, PAN and your own Digital Signature Certificate (DSC). Adding your Udyam / MSME or DPIIT Startup registration unlocks EMD exemptions, turnover relaxation and access to MSE-only tenders.
Which channels does it work on?+
Whatever you prefer. Matches, GO / NO-GO verdicts, deadline and corrigendum alerts, and completed drafts arrive on WhatsApp, Telegram, Email or SMS — your choice, in English or Hindi. A web dashboard is available on higher plans.
Eligibility & EMD
What is EMD and when do I pay it?+
Earnest Money Deposit is a refundable good-faith deposit. Buyers can require it on bids above roughly ₹5 lakh, typically 1–5% of tender value. BidMantra flags the EMD on every tender before you commit time.
Am I exempt from EMD?+
Usually yes if you're an MSE (Udyam / NSIC) or a DPIIT-recognised startup — when the tender allows it. We check your registrations against each tender's terms and tell you whether the exemption applies.
When does my EMD come back?+
For unsuccessful bidders, GeM refunds automatically — generally within about 15 days of contract award. We track every locked deposit and its refund so working capital never gets stuck.
Bidding & GO / NO-GO
What is a GO / NO-GO verdict?+
A plain-language read on whether you should bid — checking category fit, turnover, experience, exemptions and EMD, with the reasons. It saves the hours normally lost preparing a bid you were never eligible for.
Do you submit the bid for me?+
No — you always submit and sign with your own DSC. We prepare the draft; the final submission on GeM stays entirely in your hands. We never touch or automate your digital signature.
Can you help in the reverse auction (RA)?+
Yes. We show the historical L1 band while you price, and on managed plans we coach your quote live through the auction. If you're an eligible MSE within L1+15%, we flag your price-match opportunity.
Will I miss a deadline or a spec change?+
We send deadline reminders and flag every corrigendum — the mid-tender changes that quietly disqualify bidders who don't notice them.
Pricing, trust & legal
How does pricing work?+
A simple monthly subscription — never a success fee — so our incentives stay aligned and your compliance stays clean. Plans start at ₹999/mo; add a dedicated bid manager or extra drafting only when you need it.
Is bidding on GeM itself free?+
Yes, bidding is free. GeM charges a transaction fee only on successful orders. BidMantra's subscription is separate and covers the matching, analysis and drafting.
Are you affiliated with GeM or the government?+
No. BidMantra is an independent GeM Sahayak (facilitator). We are not affiliated with or endorsed by GeM SPV or the Government of India, and we work only from publicly available tender data.
Could you back my competitor on the same tender?+
No. We enforce one bidder per tender — a single customer per opportunity, logged and guaranteed — so there's no conflict of interest and no shared pricing intelligence. We're DPDP-compliant on your data.
Still have a question?
Run a free GO / NO-GO on a live tender, or message us on your preferred channel — a real person replies.