Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 09 February 2024
In a pioneering move aimed at bolstering local procurement initiatives, the Andaman and Nicobar Police organized the inaugural “Vendors Meet” on February 8, 2024, at 4:00 PM. The even was held in the Conference Hall of the Police Headquarters, Port Blair.
Championing the gathering was DIGP (HQ) Mr. Ajay Krishan Sharma, IPS, who chaired the meeting. The event witnessed active participation from 32 local vendors alongside police officials representing various districts and units. Mr. Sharma addressed the attendees, emphasizing the importance of local vendors’ involvement in procurement procedures through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) Portal.
Adding further insight into GeM procedures, Mr. Puneet Kumar, Deputy Director, and Mr. Vijay Ramakrishna, Business Facilitator from GeM, virtually joined the meeting. They provided a comprehensive overview of the GeM Portal and addressed concerns raised by local vendors regarding bid participation.
One of the significant outcomes of the meeting was the establishment of key agreements:
1. A comprehensive checklist outlining mandatory documents for each bid will be curated and uploaded on the GeM portal to facilitate vendors’ adherence to procurement requirements.
2. Pre-bid meetings will be conducted meticulously for each procurement proposal to incorporate generic specifications and clauses in a timely manner. This approach aims to broaden participation in GeM bids.
3. To augment visibility and encourage firm participation, all tenders will be publicized on A & N Police’s Social Media Platforms, providing detailed information on the articles to be procured and the bid’s closing date.
The vendors were assured of assistance and cooperation from respective procuring unit officials concerning any doubts or clarifications. Both local vendors and GeM officials present at the meeting commended Andaman and Nicobar Police for its proactive stance in bridging the gap between buyers and sellers. The initiative was praised for its commitment to fostering local participation in procurement proposals, thereby stimulating economic growth within the region.