BiP Solutions drives efficient procurement for Hertfordshire
28 May 2010
BiP Solutions Ltd (BiP) – the leading provider of cutting-edge solutions and services that help optimise supply chain value – has developed a major new web portal for the Hertfordshire Procurement Forum (HPF). The portal is set to deliver significant savings for Hertfordshire County Council whilst also providing significant contract opportunities for local businesses.
The Supply Hertfordshire web portal is being developed, hosted and facilitated by BiP and funded by a grant from the Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnerships. The portal went live in February and is expected to be fully operational in September this year.
A key requirement of public sector procurement is to achieve value for money in the delivery of high-quality public services. The Supply Hertfordshire portal helps fulfil this requirement by stimulating better competition in the supplier base. As the central point for the advertisement of tender opportunities in the area, it will be the focal point for all businesses who wish to supply to the public sector.
The portal offers comprehensive information for buyers or suppliers in Hertfordshire. Information offered includes a list of the members of the HPF. The members are as follows: Hertfordshire County Council; Broxbourne Borough Council; Broxbourne Housing Association; Dacorum Borough Council; East Hertfordshire District Council; Hertfordshire Constabulary; Hertfordshire Probation Trust; Hertsmere Borough Council; Lee Valley Park; the NHS; North Hertfordshire District Council; North Hertfordshire Homes; St Albans City & District Council; Stevenage Borough Council; Stevenage Homes; Three Rivers District Council; University of Hertfordshire; Watford Borough Council; Watford Community Housing Trust; and Welwyn Hatfield Council.
The portal also offers a searchable list of HPF members’ contract opportunities.
Suppliers can register free of charge to obtain details of the latest opportunities and to gain access to information explaining what is required and how to compete for these business opportunities.
Major benefits of the portal for buyers include the provision of access to shared contracts, access to collaborative projects, the sharing of best practice and increased opportunity for support from colleagues. It is anticipated that the system will cut costs for both buyers and suppliers, who will receive free training on the portal if required from BiP. Users will be able to access a helpdesk with any enquiries and problems, which will also be facilitated by BiP.
BiP has extensive experience in the development and hosting of web portals and websites for major organisations in both the private and public sectors. These include the Ministry of Defence (MOD) defence contracts portal; the national lower-value contracts portal Supply2.gov.uk; the Society of Procurement Officers in Local Government (SOPO) website; the London Contracts and Supplies Group (LCSG) website; the Central Buying Consortium (CBC) website; and the Health Care Supply Association website.
BiP Solutions CEO Ron Burges said: “We are delighted to be working closely with the Hertfordshire Procurement Forum in the development and facilitation of this important portal, which is set to deliver significant benefits for both the buyer and supplier communities in the Hertfordshire area. BiP's extensive experience in the delivery of community portals will ensure the successful delivery and management of this ground-breaking service.”
For further information and to register on the portal, visit: http://supplyhertfordshire.g2b.info/
For more information on BiP Solutions and to see how its products and services could benefit you, please visit: www.bipsolutions.com
