# Buying microscopes and lab equipment through GeM

> A short guide for government laboratories, hospitals and colleges buying instruments on the Government e-Marketplace.

Canonical: https://unilab-cno.pages.dev/blog/buying-lab-equipment-through-gem/
Last updated: 2026-08-01

Procurement · By the Unilab Microscopes team

Government departments, public hospitals, universities and many other public bodies buy laboratory equipment through the Government e-Marketplace, usually called GeM. The platform lists products from registered sellers with standard specification fields, so buyers can compare offers on the same basis.

This article gives a practical overview. The exact procedure, limits and approvals depend on the General Financial Rules and your organisation's own policy, so confirm them with your purchase section.

## Ways to buy

Depending on the value of the purchase and the applicable rules, buyers on GeM can typically:

- **Buy directly** from a listing that meets the requirement.
- **Compare offers** from several sellers and choose the lowest priced one that meets the specification.
- **Create a bid or reverse auction**, where sellers respond to the buyer's specification.

Your purchase section will know which route applies.

## Write the specification from the work

The most useful thing a laboratory can do is describe what the instrument is for, then turn that into specification values. For a microscope, that means the type of work, the viewing head, the objectives, illumination and the standards needed. Avoid copying a specification from an unrelated tender. It may include a value no current product meets, which can delay the purchase.

Our article on reading microscope specifications on GeM explains the common fields.

## Check what will arrive

Before placing an order, confirm:

- The **exact model** and that its declared specifications match your requirement.
- The **warranty period** and what it covers.
- **Installation and demonstration**, especially for multi-head microscopes, microtomes and centrifuges.
- Any **documents** you need at delivery, such as test reports or conformity certificates.
- **Accessories** included in the scope of supply, such as spare eyepieces, a dust cover, blades or rotors.

## After delivery

Inspect the instrument against the order, check that accessories are present, and keep test reports and warranty documents with the asset record. Ask for a short demonstration so the people who will use the equipment know how to set it up and care for it.

## Getting help

If you are planning a purchase and are unsure which model or specification fits, contact us with a description of the work. We can suggest a suitable configuration and explain which specification values describe it.

## Related
- [All articles](https://unilab-cno.pages.dev/blog/)
- [All instruments](https://unilab-cno.pages.dev/products/)