The procurement of goods and services for consumers in the OECS is to be significantly enhanced following the historic launch of the region’s first electronic or e-tendering system. 

The e-tendering system which was launched on Thursday November 8^th 2012 in Saint Lucia will begin in the first instance through the OECS Pharmaceutical Procurement  Service OECS PPS. The system is expected to be subsequently used to procure other goods and services for the people of the OECS.

Head of the OECS E-Government for Regional Integration Project OECSEGRIP Karlene Francis says the first  e-tendering system  demonstrates the  ability and agility to implement solutions to accelerate the economic and social development of the region’s people: “The e-procurement is defined as the procurement of goods, works and services, through internet based information technologies and e-procurement is emerging worldwide because of the potential to reform processes, promote competition, promote integrity in public procurement as well as enhance transparency and   accountability. It is also believed to be a driver of procurement reform.”

Francis indicated that with proper application the e-tendering system can help to reduce corruption. She also noted some of the benefits expected from the implementation of the OECS e-tendering system for goods and services starting with the procurement of pharmaceuticals: “We anticipate that this system will lead to a significant reform of traditional procurement processes and will automate the current processes for the OECS PPS and at the national level so that more time can be taken to develop strategic decisions about other areas for pooled procurement . There is also the potential for the reduction in the cost of goods and services.” -Francis

The first  e-tendering System in the region is also expected to enhance the business relationship between suppliers and the lone procurement agency in the OECS the OECS Pharmaceutical Procurement Service. Head of Unit at the OECS Pharmaceutical Procurement Service OECS PPS  Francis Burnet says  the main advantage is that the bids will be submitted  any time from any part of the world in a secured location: “We need to get the input of all of us to ensure that at the very early stage we are able to develop the programme, get feedback unto our development partners  and ensure that we are as efficient as possible.”

To facilitate a smooth implementation of the OECS e-tendering system towards the procurement of pharmaceuticals in the first instance, the developers of the new e-tendering system, European Dynamics, held an inception workshop  for major stakeholders involved in OECS pharmaceuticals procurement including Central Medical Stores Managers, OECS Secretariat Staff,  Procurement Officials and Ministry of Finance Officials.  

George Valasopolous of European Dynamics told major stake holders at the recent historic launch to help insure that the standard of the bidding document is attractive to suppliers to aid the tendering process and increase the level of confidence in the e-procurement system: “Suppliers want to have a standard way to work with the OECS  and when they learn the standard  you can expect more participation, better prices and better offerings. It’s no good for you to make a huge effort for a electronic procurement system and for us to establish an electronic procurement system if nobody is aware of it or ready to use it. It’s like having a really nice and fast car that nobody drives and that’s pointless. It’s very important for the supplier to be oriented.”

The partial electronic tendering system will initially engage the OECS Pharmaceutical Procurement Service and serve all the OECS Member States. Through this system, interested companies will now be able to submit tenders on line to the OECS PPS; clearly a faster means of data exchange as against the traditional process such as via courier, or regular mail service. The e-tendering system will be applied to the OECS PPS in the first instance and then will be scalable to other goods and services.