Electoral Commision’s e-Procurement initiative
The Electoral Commission has developed a creative and innovative electronic procurement
initiative to provide new business opportunities to registered and approved suppliers
of goods and services. “VotaQuotes”, is the brand name of the electronic procurement
system of the Electoral Commission. The Electoral Commission developed the electronic
procurement system to obtain quotations from registered and approved suppliers.
The eProcurement initiative is based on the principles of a “reverse auction” and
approved suppliers will be required to place electronic quotations to “win” orders
to supply goods and services. The system is now open to all suppliers seeking new
business opportunities. The electronic procurement ( eProcurement ) system is expected
to benefit suppliers, especially emerging businesses, in the following ways:
- An open and transparent system – The eProcurement initiative is designed to ensure
approved suppliers are informed and can bid (quote) on any auction.
- All submitted bids (quotes) can be viewed by all approved suppliers at any stage
during the bidding process.
- Suppliers can compete openly for business.
- An efficient process eliminating paperwork and human intervention – The new system
aims to eliminate all possibilities of irregularities in the Electoral Commission’s
procurement process.
- Reduces costs for the Electoral Commission and suppliers – Suppliers save on time
and travel costs because you will no longer need to leave your workplace to submit
quotes.
- Ensures broadest possible competition – All registered suppliers will receive an
e-mail or SMS message notifying them of all relevant auctions.
- Auctions and bids can now be viewed and maintained on any WAP enabled cell phone.
Suppliers who register and are approved by the Electoral Commission, will be eligible
to participate in the provision of goods and services. To register suppliers must
log on to http://votaquotes.elections.org.za or http://www.elections.org.za and
follow the registration links. The initiative of the web site has been designed
to comply with the provisions of section 217 of the Constitution and section 76
(4) (c) of the Public Finance Management Act, which prescribe that public sector
procurement systems must be fair, equitable, transparent, competitive and cost effective.
The provisions of the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act have also been
taken into account.