CIPS Excellence in Procurement Awards 2021 | 25 Sep 2021

Why in News

Government e Marketplace (GeM) was announced as the winner in the Best Use of Digital Technology category at the CIPS Excellence in Procurement Awards 2021 (CIPS Awards).

• GeM was shortlisted as a finalist in two additional categories as well, i.e., 'Public Procurement Project of the Year' and 'Best Initiative to Build a Diverse Supply Base’.

Key Points

• CIPS Awards:
  
  • It is an opportunity to showcase and celebrate the best work and teams in the procurement profession.
  • The awards are conducted under the aegis of The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), London.
    
    • CIPS is a global not-for-profit organisation and professional body dedicated to promoting good practices in procurement and supply management, with a community across 150 countries.
• GeM:
  
  • About:
    
    • GeM is a one-stop National Public Procurement Portal to facilitate online procurement of common use Goods & Services required by various Central and State Government Departments/Organizations/Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).
    • The procurement of goods and services by Ministries and the Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) is mandatory for goods and services available on GeM.
    • It also provides the tools of e-bidding and reverse e-auction to facilitate the government users achieve the best value for their money.
    • At present, GeM has more than 30 lakh products, over Rs. 10 lakh crore worth of transactions have happened so far at the portal.
  • Launch:
    
    • Launched in 2016 to bring transparency and efficiency in the government buying process.
  • Nodal Ministry:
    
    • Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Significance of GoM:
  
  • Enables transparent and Cost-effective Procurement
  • Promotes India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat Policy
  • Facilitates entry of small local sellers in Public Procurement.
  • Facilitates online marketplace to aggregate demand from multiple entities for similar products.

Source: PIB