Vanguard Magazine

As part of CanadaBuys, PSPC is using SAP Ariba, a cloud-based procurement solution where suppliers and federal buyers can connect on a single platform. It allows registered businesses to more easily bid on tender opportunities and manage contracts and orders for goods and services from the Government of Canada. www.vanguardcanada.com JUNE/JULY 2021 29 PROCUREMENT (PSPC). It significantly improves and streamlines how we do business and makes our procurement processes simpler, more efficient, and easier to use and access by moving everything online. As part of CanadaBuys, PSPC is using SAP Ariba, a cloud-based procurement solution where suppliers and federal buy- ers can connect on a single platform. It allows registered businesses to more easily bid on tender opportunities and manage contracts and orders for goods and services from the Government of Canada. Q What are the major benefits of using a cloud-based tool like SAP Ariba for online procurement? Transitioning procurement to an automat- ed and online platform is a key element of moving towards a more efficient procure- ment system. Online procurement will allow more suppliers to connect with the Government, and make government pro- curement opportunities more accessible to potential suppliers, regardless of their size or geographic location. Suppliers will be able to: • access Government of Canada opportu- nities for free • create one company profile; no more resubmitting the same profile with each new bid • work in a safe and secure online environ- ment • improve their bid quality by obtaining responses directly in an online form • receive notifications for tender or contract expiry dates, amendments, competition extensions and cancellations, and more • save time by eliminating the need to drop off paper copies of bids Q What are some of the challenges in transitioning over to this new system? The transition from BuyandSell to CanadaBuys is taking place gradually and following a pragmatic, progressive and agile approach. This means taking small steps, while assessing and addressing chal- lenges, if they arise, along the way. In com- parison to a more traditional approach to implementation, this approach provides opportunities to take stock of our progress and make adjustments as needed. We recognize that the transition from BuyandSell to CanadaBuys may raise ques- tions, and potentially be confusing for some suppliers. We are focused on making available and providing clear information on the transition to suppliers. CanadaBuys will keep suppliers informed and provide resources and support every step of the way to make the transition to online pro- curement seamless. Q What percentage of tender opportu- nities are now available on CanadaBuys and when do you expect that the full transition will be completed? The transition to CanadaBuys is occurring in stages, over time. For now, some tender opportunities on Buyandsell will redirect suppliers to SAP Ariba, where businesses will be able to view tender opportunity de- tails as well as bid online. Gradually, more and more tender opportunities will be conducted using SAP Ariba and we expect that all procurements managed by PSPC for the Government of Canada will be in SAP Ariba by end of 2021. Later this summer, a new Government Electronic Tendering Service (GETS) is scheduled to launch on CanadaBuys and will replace BuyandSell.gc.ca/tenders. The new GETS is designed to make it easier for suppliers to find and understand govern- ment opportunities. By September 2022, the new tendering service on CanadaBuys will cover all Canadian public sector enti- ties, including provinces, territories, mu- nicipalities and public academic, social and health institutions. The full transition of BuyandSell to CanadaBuys is targeted for Summer 2022. Since summer 2020, SAP Ariba has been used for some COVID 19 related procure- ments (gowns, cloth masks, isolation sites, etc.) and more and more procurements, conducted by PSPC to fight the pandemic, are being conducted through it.

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