Government e-procurement processes set in motion

National Treasury: The State Tender Board last week awarded tender RT 1250 KA to Intenda (Pty) Ltd, for the supply, implementation and maintenance of an electronic procurement, tender evaluation and contract management system (ProQure).

Government has taken a major step to enhance E-Procurement in the South African market place. By implementing ProQure, the tender process will be streamlined, significantly shortened and ultimately result in huge savings in the procurement process for government. Government will also be able to publish tenders to a wider Supplier community, which has obvious business benefits and advantages for the State.

Furthermore, Government has taken a significant step in curbing irregular practices and leveling the playing fields for all SMME`s who will be afforded the opportunity of competing on an equal footing in the market place through the provision of equal access to tenders for all interested parties. Government will also be able to implement specific goals for SMME`s and PDI`s and monitor the progress against predetermined criteria. Added business benefits to Government include the quicker turnaround time on tender preparation, publishing, evaluation, response and award, which will ensure a more streamlined and professional supplier interface into Government. The successful implementation of the solution at the Office of The State Tender Board will enable the roll out of this best practice business model and solution to all departments.

In a true Business to Business `E-Solution`, ProQure also brings major opportunities for the suppliers and potential suppliers to Government. Suppliers will no longer have to spend expensive time and resources on tender administration processes, as the Qquote Lite and WEB modules of ProQure allow the supplier community to receive notifications electronically (Internet, SMS or traditional paper-based fax). This increases their window of opportunity and ultimately drives down the cost of competing for business.

Suppliers will subscribe and download the interface and submissions management systems from the Internet, which among other benefits, will facilitate the suppliers to register and control their company details within the boundaries of the system, and have easier accessibility to the buyers and tenders of the Government.

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Intenda`s managing director Etienne Fourie responded on their success with the tender, "We are proud to have been chosen by government for this tender which can be seen as the first step in the e-procurement process of national government. Ultimately, by linking both communities (buyers and suppliers), the benefit of speed to market, reduction of cost and irregularities, and improved opportunity to market from both sides, both communities will realize increased cost savings and performance. This can be seen as a true win-win partnership on a true business to business process, using technology as the guiding enabler."

Intenda was awarded this tender in a keenly contested process which started in September 2000 when the State Tender Board published a Request for Information (RFI). The tender was finally awarded to Intenda on 12 April 2001.