COI signs up to BiP
16 April 2007
The Central Office of Information (COI) has become the latest government department to enjoy the benefits of BiP Solutions’ procurement expertise by signing up to BiP’s aXcess buyer profile and Select services.
aXcess helps buyers reduce their tendering timescales by providing a fully managed and supported real-time online contract information service for suppliers. Contracts are populated via BiP’s Project service, which also sends notices to the OJEU.
An aXcess buyer profile helps buyers reduce their tendering costs, since it is priced on the basis of an annual licence fee rather than the number of contracts placed – unlike newspapers and trade journals. The service fully conforms to the requirements of the EU Consolidated Procurement Directive.
The COI joins a growing list of public sector organisations with aXcess buyer profiles – others include the Audit Commission, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, the Authorities Buying Consortium and the Department for Communities and Local Government.
BiP’s Select service provides a simple and structured approach to supplier pre-qualification. Two levels are available – Certify and Accredit. For Select Certify, suppliers simply complete an online self-certification questionnaire, whereas for Select Accredit status suppliers are assessed by a third party to achieve full accreditation. Select gives suppliers increased recognition and visibility through pre-qualification, and provides buyers with a substantial database of approved suppliers and a single, transparent selection process.
COI Head of Procurement Bob Ager said: “We are very pleased to have an aXcess buyer profile in place and also to have signed up to BiP’s Select accreditation service. Both will be important tools as the COI continues to strive for effective and efficient procurement, in line with established best practice in this area.”
Further information on aXcess can be found at www.bipsolutions.com/Delta/axcess.htm and on BiP Select at www.bipselect.com
