NI Executive launches a ‘first’ in electronic development

The Northern Ireland Executive has announced the first government department to go live with electronic tendering.

The Northern Ireland Government Purchasing Agency (GPA) is the first government department in the UK to conduct an electronic tendering competition.

The new electronic tendering system is expected to promote the use of e-commerce and stimulate interest in the electronic marketplace. 'E-Tendering' is expected to save the UK taxpayer £13 million over four years, with total savings to suppliers in the region of £37million.

This electronic means of tendering increases the security of, and cuts out the paperwork from, the tendering process. Each step of the tendering process can now be conducted electronically.

'E-Tendering' uses technology which removes the need for original signatures on contracts. The use of electronic signatures has been sanctioned by the European Union to speed up the introduction of electronic commerce in Member States and so enhance their competitive position in the global marketplace.

As the system went live, the NI Minister of Finance and Personnel, Mr Mark Durkan, said: “I wish the Government Purchasing Agency every success with this innovative system and welcome its speedy implementation, which will assist in the delivery of modernising government and provide suppliers to Northern Ireland government with a simple, cost effective and rapid means of bidding for public sector contracts.”

One of the first contracts to be offered through 'E-Tendering' is to find a company who can deliver a Street Work Register. This register will tell the Department of Regional Development which contractor is working on what road at any given time.

The Acting Chief Executive of the GPA, Mr Malcolm Turner, said: “The Government Purchasing Agency prides itself on being at the forefront of exploiting technology in the purchasing field to the benefit of both the public purse and its supply base. It is delighted to be involved in making available 'E-Tendering' opportunities to suppliers to Northern Ireland Departments, their Agencies and Non-Departmental Public Sector Bodies.”

The Office of Government Commerce launched this web based electronic system for civil government to replace the present paper based system at the Public Sector Expo Conference in April 2001 at the London Arena. (AMcE)