--- title: Tender full forms: EMD, MAF, BOQ, L1 and 70 more terms · TrackTender description: Full forms and plain meanings of the abbreviations in Indian government tenders and GeM bids: EMD, MAF, BOQ, CPPP, L1, PBG, CRAC, MII and more. canonical: https://tracktender.com/blog/tender-terms-full-forms/ source: https://tracktender.com/blog/tender-terms-full-forms/ --- # Tender full forms: EMD, MAF, BOQ, L1 and 70 more terms > Full forms and plain meanings of the abbreviations in Indian government tenders and GeM bids: EMD, MAF, BOQ, CPPP, L1, PBG, CRAC, MII and more. - [Blog](/blog/) / - Tender full forms: EMD, MAF, BOQ, L1 and 70 more terms Understand the tender - Beginners - Reading tenders # Tender full forms: EMD, MAF, BOQ, L1 and 70 more terms Full forms and plain meanings of the abbreviations in Indian government tenders and GeM bids: EMD, MAF, BOQ, CPPP, L1, PBG, CRAC, MII and more. KSKetul Shah20 October 2026 · 14 min read Copied The short version MAF is Manufacturer's Authorisation Form, EMD is Earnest Money Deposit, BOQ is Bill of Quantities, PBG is Performance Bank Guarantee and CPPP is the Central Public Procurement Portal at eprocure.gov.in. In this guide - [Money and guarantees: EMD, BSD, PBG, ePBG](#money-and-guarantees-emd-bsd-pbg-epbg) - [Documents: NIT, RFP, BOQ, MAF and the terms and conditions](#documents-nit-rfp-boq-maf-and-the-terms-and-conditions) - [Portals and systems: GeM, CPPP, GePNIC, IREPS](#portals-and-systems-gem-cppp-gepnic-ireps) - [Evaluation and award: L1, QCBS, RA, LOA, CRAC](#evaluation-and-award-l1-qcbs-ra-loa-crac) - [Policy and preferences: GFR, MII, MSE, Udyam, DPIIT](#policy-and-preferences-gfr-mii-mse-udyam-dpiit) - [Abbreviations that mean different things in different tenders](#abbreviations-that-mean-different-things-in-different-tenders) - [GeM bid status phrases and what they mean](#gem-bid-status-phrases-and-what-they-mean) - [Frequently asked questions](#faq) Key takeaways - MAF is Manufacturer's Authorisation Form, EMD is Earnest Money Deposit, BOQ is Bill of Quantities, PBG is Performance Bank Guarantee and CPPP is the Central Public Procurement Portal at eprocure.gov.in. - L1 is the lowest bidder, L2 the second lowest and H1 the highest. Lowest price wins only after the technical round, and purchase preferences can still move part or all of the order. - Money terms come in two stages: EMD or a bid security declaration while you bid, then performance security (PBG or ePBG on GeM) after you win. - Some abbreviations mean different things in different tenders. LC, PPP, RFQ, LOI and NIC each have two common expansions, so check the tender's definitions clause. - On GeM, the GTC sets the baseline rules, while the STC and the bid's ATC can add or override terms for one category or one bid. Indian government tenders are written in abbreviations. MAF is Manufacturer’s Authorisation Form, EMD is Earnest Money Deposit, BOQ is Bill of Quantities and CPPP is the Central Public Procurement Portal. This page lists more than 80 terms and status phrases you’ll meet in Indian tenders, each with its full form and a one-line meaning. The expansions come from the official sources: the General Financial Rules 2017, the Department of Expenditure’s procurement manuals, the GeM General Terms and Conditions (version 1.29, 25 March 2026) and the portals’ own help pages. Where I’ve written a full guide to a term, the term links to it. ## Money and guarantees: EMD, BSD, PBG, ePBG These are the terms that tie up your money. Read them first in any tender, because each one takes time to arrange. TermFull formWhat it means [EMD](/blog/emd-epbg-mii-mse-tender-terms/)Earnest Money DepositA refundable deposit given with your bid, also called bid security. It’s lost if you withdraw during the validity period or win and fail to furnish performance security. Bid securityPlain termThe GFR term for EMD. GFR Rule 170 puts it at 2 to 5% of estimated value. GeM bids under ₹5 lakh carry none. [EMD exemption](/blog/emd-exemption-msme-how-to-claim/)Plain termWaiver of EMD for eligible MSEs and DPIIT-recognised startups. It’s never automatic: you claim it in the bid. [BSD](/blog/bid-security-declaration-vs-emd/)Bid Security DeclarationA signed undertaking accepted in place of EMD. Break it and you’re suspended from that buyer’s tenders for the period the tender sets. PBGPerformance Bank GuaranteeThe guarantee a winning bidder gives that it will perform the contract. The buyer can invoke it if you don’t. [ePBG](/blog/epbg-performance-security-gem/)electronic Performance Bank GuaranteeThe PBG in electronic form, used on GeM. Up to 5% of contract value, due within 15 days of award. SDSecurity DepositAnother name for performance security, common in works contracts. BGBank GuaranteeA bank’s promise to pay the buyer on demand. The usual form for both EMD and performance security. [LD](/blog/liquidated-damages-government-contracts/)Liquidated DamagesA pre-set deduction for late delivery. On GeM: 0.5% of the delayed value per week, capped at 5% of the contract value (10% for inordinate delay). [EMD refund](/blog/emd-refund-process/)Plain termReturn of the deposit. Under GFR, unsuccessful bidders get it back after the final bid validity expires, and no later than 30 days after award. ## Documents: NIT, RFP, BOQ, MAF and the terms and conditions These names tell you what kind of paper you’re holding and which rules govern it. ### The tender itself TermFull formWhat it means NITNotice Inviting TenderThe formal announcement that a buyer wants bids. It lists scope, eligibility, EMD and key dates. [How to read one](/blog/how-to-read-a-tender-document/). RFPRequest for ProposalA bid document asking for a full technical and commercial proposal, common in services, consultancy and IT. RFQRequest for QuotationA request for prices, usually for smaller or simpler purchases. See the note below on its second meaning. EOIExpression of InterestA first-stage call to find and shortlist interested suppliers before a full tender. ITBInstructions to BiddersThe section that explains how to prepare and submit the bid. [BOQ](/blog/boq-in-tenders-explained/)Bill of QuantitiesThe item-by-item list of quantities you price. On CPPP it’s usually the financial bid. [MAF](/blog/oem-authorization-maf-for-tenders/)Manufacturer’s Authorisation FormThe OEM’s letter authorising you to quote its product in this specific tender. Also called a MAF letter or OEM authorisation. OEMOriginal Equipment ManufacturerThe maker or brand owner of the product. On GeM, the owner of the brand or trademark. COTSCommercially Off The ShelfStandard products sold in the open market, not made to the buyer’s design. PACProprietary Article CertificateThe buyer’s certificate justifying a purchase of one specific make or model. CorrigendumPlain termAn official amendment to a published tender: new dates, changed specs, revised terms. It binds every bidder. ### Terms and conditions TermFull formWhat it means GTCGeneral Terms and ConditionsGeM’s base rulebook for every order and bid. STCSpecial Terms and ConditionsCategory-specific terms on GeM that can override the GTC. ATCAdditional Terms and ConditionsTerms the buyer adds to one bid. Read these before anything else. GCCGeneral Conditions of ContractThe standard contract clauses in a non-GeM tender. SCCSpecial Conditions of ContractClauses specific to that tender, which prevail over the GCC. SLAService Level AgreementThe service performance levels, response times and penalties in a services contract. ## Portals and systems: GeM, CPPP, GePNIC, IREPS TermFull formWhat it means [GeM](/blog/gem-bidding-process-explained/)Government e-MarketplaceThe national online marketplace for government purchase of common-use goods and services, at gem.gov.in. GeM SPVGeM Special Purpose VehicleThe Section 8 non-profit company that owns and runs GeM. GMVGross Merchandise ValueTotal value of orders placed through a platform. GeM reports its yearly GMV. [CPPP](/blog/cppp-eprocurement-portal-guide/)Central Public Procurement PortalThe central tender portal at eprocure.gov.in, carrying central tenders, corrigenda and award details. GePNICGovernment eProcurement System of NICNIC’s e-procurement software behind CPPP and many state portals. NICNational Informatics CentreThe government IT body that built and runs CPPP and GePNIC. [IREPS](/blog/railway-tenders-ireps-guide/)Indian Railways E-Procurement SystemThe railways’ own tender portal at ireps.gov.in. UVAMUnified Vendor Approval ModuleThe IREPS module where you apply for railway vendor approval. RDSOResearch Designs and Standards OrganisationThe railways’ standards body, which approves vendors for many safety-critical items. [DSC](/blog/dsc-for-tenders-and-bid-submission-errors/)Digital Signature CertificateThe certificate you sign bids with. Class 3 is the class tender portals require; Class 2 is discontinued. eSignPlain termAadhaar-based online signing. GeM accepts it as an alternative to a DSC. CPGRAMSCentralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring SystemThe government grievance portal at pgportal.gov.in, useful for chasing a stuck refund or payment from a central body. Tender TigerPlain termNot an abbreviation or a government portal. It’s a private tender information service. [How it compares](/blog/tracktender-vs-tender-tiger/). ## Evaluation and award: L1, QCBS, RA, LOA, CRAC This group covers what happens between the bid deadline and the payment. The full sequence is in my post on [how tenders are evaluated and awarded](/blog/how-tenders-are-evaluated-and-awarded/). ### Opening and evaluating bids TermFull formWhat it means Two-bid systemPlain termTechnical and financial bids go in together but open separately. Only technically qualified bidders’ prices are opened (GFR Rule 163). Technical bidPlain termYour eligibility documents, specs and compliance. Also called the techno-commercial bid. Financial bidPlain termYour price, or the filled BOQ. Opened only if you clear the technical round. Bid validityPlain termHow long your offer stays open after the deadline. The goods manual says 75 days is normal for open tenders. GeM shows it as days from the bid end date. Pre-bid meetingPlain termA session before the deadline where bidders raise queries. Changes come out as a corrigendum. BOCBid Opening CommitteeThe officials who open the bids at the scheduled time. TECTender Evaluation CommitteeThe committee that checks bids and recommends the winner. The DoE manuals also call it the Tender Committee (TC) or Tender Purchase Committee (TPC). [L1, L2, L3](/blog/l1-bidding-explained/)Lowest, second lowest, third lowest bidderThe price ranking of technically qualified bids. H1Highest bidderThe highest-priced qualified bid. GeM’s H1-elimination rule keeps H1 out of the reverse auction. QCBSQuality and Cost Based SelectionTechnical score and price weighted together, so a stronger proposal can beat a cheaper one. [RA](/blog/reverse-auction-gem-strategy/)Reverse AuctionA live online round where qualified bidders bid prices down. On GeM, entry follows the 50% elimination or H1-elimination rule. ### Tender types TermFull formWhat it means OTEOpen Tender EnquiryAn advertised tender open to all eligible bidders. LTELimited Tender EnquiryBids invited only from a list of known suppliers. GTEGlobal Tender EnquiryAn open tender that invites foreign bidders too. STESingle Tender EnquiryPurchase from one source, with recorded reasons. ### Award, delivery and GeM buying modes TermFull formWhat it means LOALetter of Award (or Letter of Acceptance)The formal notice that you’ve won. You then have a set period (generally 14 days in the goods manual) to furnish performance security. LOILetter of IntentA notice that the buyer intends to award, used by some buyers before the formal contract. See the note below. AOCAward of ContractOn CPPP, the published details of who won a tender and at what value. DPDirect PurchaseGeM buying without a bid, allowed up to ₹50,000 from any seller who meets the requirement. L1 purchasePlain termGeM buying from ₹50,000 to ₹10 lakh: the buyer compares at least three OEMs’ products and must order from the lowest-priced seller. PRCProvisional Receipt CertificateIssued online on GeM by the consignee as soon as goods arrive. The 10-day inspection window counts from it. CRACConsignee Receipt cum Acceptance CertificateThe consignee’s online acceptance on GeM. It’s the basis of payment, which is due within 10 days unless the bid says otherwise. ## Policy and preferences: GFR, MII, MSE, Udyam, DPIIT These terms decide who gets an advantage before price is compared. TermFull formWhat it means GFRGeneral Financial Rules, 2017The Ministry of Finance rules that govern central government procurement. [MII](/blog/make-in-india-purchase-preference-class-1-2/)Make in IndiaPurchase preference for suppliers with enough Indian local content, under the PPP-MII Order. PPP-MIIPublic Procurement (Preference to Make in India) OrderThe order that sets the MII rules. LCLocal ContentThe share of value added in India. Class-I suppliers need at least 50%, Class-II more than 20%, unless a ministry sets higher. Class-I / Class-IIClass-I / Class-II local supplierThe two MII tiers. Class-I gets the purchase preference. MSEMicro and Small EnterpriseMicro and small units (not medium) that get the procurement benefits: EMD exemption, and the right to match L1 within 15% for up to 25% of the order. MSMEMicro, Small and Medium EnterprisesThe wider group. [Current limits](/blog/msme-classification-2025-tender-eligibility/). PPP-MSEPublic Procurement Policy for MSEs Order, 2012The policy behind the MSE benefits. UdyamUdyam RegistrationThe MSME registration you need to claim MSE benefits. URC is the Udyam Registration Certificate. [NIC code](/blog/udyam-nic-code-for-tenders/)National Industrial Classification codeThe activity code on your Udyam record. It must cover the item you’re bidding for. NSICNational Small Industries CorporationThe central MSME body whose single-point registration some non-GeM tenders accept. [DPIIT](/blog/startup-benefits-government-tenders/)Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal TradeThe department that recognises startups. Recognised startups are exempt from EMD and can get relaxed turnover and experience. JVJoint VentureTwo or more firms bidding together under a JV agreement. Check that the tender allows it before you form one. ConsortiumPlain termA group of firms bidding as one. The works manual treats it as the same thing as a JV. SPVSpecial Purpose VehicleA company set up for one specific project or purpose. GeM itself is run by one. ## Abbreviations that mean different things in different tenders A few abbreviations have two common meanings. The surrounding clause usually tells you which one applies. When an abbreviation could mean two things, the tender’s own definitions clause decides. Read it before you build your bid on a guess. TermMeaning 1Meaning 2 LCLocal Content, in a Make in India clauseLetter of Credit, in a payment clause (the goods manual uses this meaning) PPPPublic Procurement Policy, as in PPP-MSE or PPP-MIIPublic Private Partnership, in infrastructure projects RFQRequest for Quotation, in most purchase tendersRequest for Qualification, the meaning in the DoE Manual for Procurement of Works LOILetter of Intent, before an awardLetter of Invitation, the meaning in the DoE Works manual NICNational Informatics Centre, which runs CPPPNational Industrial Classification, the codes on your Udyam record ## GeM bid status phrases and what they mean GeM shows a status against each bid you’ve joined, and [the full bid status guide](/blog/gem-bid-status-tender-results/) covers how to read the result page. The short version: PhraseWhat it means ActiveThe bid is open for submissions. Bid extended (Auto Extension)GeM moved the end date automatically, and the opening date moved with it. The new dates show in the bid’s corrigendum details. Bid Validity (From End Date)The number of days your offer must stay open after the bid closes. Decrypted by the opening committeeBids are encrypted on submission and can only be opened at or after the opening time. This means the officials have opened your bid and evaluation can start. GeM’s own help pages don’t define this wording, so read it as “opened”. Not EvaluatedThe buyer hasn’t started or finished the technical round. Nothing is wrong with your bid. Under Technical EvaluationThe committee is checking your documents and specs. Keep your phone on for clarification requests. Technically qualified / disqualifiedThe technical result. Only qualified bidders move on to price. Financial EvaluationQualified bidders’ prices are being opened and ranked. Reverse AuctionQualified bidders are invited to bid prices down live. Bid AwardedThe winner has been chosen and the contract generated. CancelledThe buyer has cancelled the bid, so no award will come out of it. See the bid number and EMD without the jargon hunt Most of these terms are buried in the bid document, but the ones you need first aren't. TrackTender sends one 9 AM digest of your top 10 GeM matches on Telegram or WhatsApp. Each card shows the bid number, title, buyer, location, deadline with days left and EMD, and Telegram's Full details adds the quantity and a link to the bid document. [Get matched tenders →](/subscribe/) First month ₹30 (about ₹1/day), then ₹300/month. Cancel anytime. If a term you met isn’t here, check the tender’s definitions section first, then the GeM GTC or the DoE manual for that kind of procurement. And if you’re new to all this, my [step-by-step guide to applying for a government tender](/blog/how-to-apply-for-government-tender-india/) puts these terms in the order you’ll meet them. ## Frequently asked questions What is the full form of MAF in tenders? MAF stands for Manufacturer's Authorisation Form (also spelt Manufacturer's Authorization Form). It is a letter from the OEM authorising you, as its dealer or reseller, to quote and supply its product in a specific tender, with the OEM standing behind the warranty. A general dealership certificate is not the same thing when the tender asks for authorisation for that bid. What is the full form of EMD and what is it for? EMD stands for Earnest Money Deposit, also called bid security. It is a refundable deposit you give with your bid to show you won't withdraw or change it while it is valid. You lose it if you withdraw during the validity period or win and fail to furnish the performance security. Eligible MSEs and DPIIT-recognised startups are exempt in central tenders. What is the full form of CPPP? CPPP stands for Central Public Procurement Portal, at eprocure.gov.in. It is run by the National Informatics Centre and publishes central government tenders, corrigenda and award of contract (AOC) details, and links out to state eProcurement portals built on the same GePNIC software. What does L1 mean in a tender? L1 means the lowest bidder: the technically qualified bidder with the lowest evaluated price. L2 is the second lowest, L3 the third, and H1 the highest. Being L1 usually wins the order, but MSE and Make in India purchase preferences can let another bidder match the L1 price and take part or all of it. What is the full form of BOQ in tenders? BOQ stands for Bill of Quantities. It lists every item of work or supply with its quantity and unit, and the bidder fills in rates against each line. On CPPP and state eProcurement portals, the BOQ spreadsheet usually is the financial bid, and a modified BOQ file can get the bid rejected. What is the full form of PBG in tenders? PBG stands for Performance Bank Guarantee, the performance security a winning bidder gives to guarantee it will deliver the contract. On GeM it is submitted electronically as an ePBG, at the percentage the buyer sets (up to 5% of the contract value), within 15 days of the award, and must stay valid until two months after all obligations, warranty included. KS Written by Ketul Shah Ketul Shah is the founder of TrackTender and Anekant AI. He works with Indian SMEs that bid on government contracts and writes about GeM, e-procurement and how smaller suppliers can compete and win. [More about TrackTender →](/about/) Keep reading ## More from the blog - [16 June 2026CPPP and eProcurement portals: a guide for Indian suppliersGeM isn't the whole story. How the CPPP (eprocure.gov.in) and state eProcurement portals work, what's different from GeM, and how to bid without getting lost.](/blog/cppp-eprocurement-portal-guide/) - [13 May 2026GeM bidding process: a step-by-step guide for sellersA plain-English walkthrough of bidding on the Government e-Marketplace, from registration to submission, plus the mistakes that disqualify first-timers.](/blog/gem-bidding-process-explained/) - [12 June 2026Best tender alert services in India: 6 compared (2026)An honest, fact-checked comparison of six government tender alert services in India: what to judge them on, real pricing, and which fits your business.](/blog/best-tender-alert-services-india/) ## Stop reading about tenders. Start winning them. Pick your states and categories and get matching tenders on Telegram and WhatsApp. [Start tracking](/subscribe/)