24 Jan 2019

Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Board (PPADB) board executive chairperson, Ms Bridget John, says online bidding has made public procurement more transparent.

Speaking during a media capacity building workshop in Gaborone on January 21, Ms John said e-bidding also addressed issues of ethical behaviour and speed, which would restore procurement integrity.

“On-line bidding risks are lower and the system has improved efficiency in contractor registration and public procurement and asset disposal,” she said.

Ms John, who will soon join the Ministry of Basic Education as permanent secretary, said although the system was in the process of being rolled out to districts, strides had been made to roll out e-bidding to all ministries.

E-bidding or e-tendering carried out through a system known as Integrated Procurement Management System (IPMS), assisted the board to automate its services to manage contractor registration and public procurement as well as to counter corruption in procurement.

The programme was introduced by PPADB in 2016 as part of the board’s efforts to provide a platform where procuring entities and the bidding community could access PPADB services outside the confines of PPADB offices.

Meanwhile, PPADB executive director, Mr Kgakgamalo Ketshajwang, said IPMS would assist in cost and time saving for both government and contractors.

“The board is fully aware of the great inconvenience suffered by its clients who travel long distances to access PPADB service, including international bidders,” he said.

In addition, he said IPMS would improve access to tenders as contractors receive e-mail and SMS alerts on floating tenders and would be able to download tender documents for free in order to determine their interests before buying the tender documents. ENDS