This briefing covers active market intelligence, regulatory guidelines, and tactical capture recommendations for federal and defense contractors pursuing opportunities in this procurement classification.
Virginia officials knew that their traditional, decentralized procurement system wasn’t working — for either buyers or sellers. Suppliers were frustrated: companies had to first identify all of the purchasing offices to market their goods, then travel to in-person meetings to identify and track opportunities. State officials lamented a lack of transparency, consistency and availability for small and diverse businesses to participate.
Virginia’s solution was the development of an integrated, statewide electronic procurement system. Today in the commonwealth, e-procurement is recognized as having a solid return on investment, and it has increased the diversity of the state’s supplier base.
Many states are approaching e-procurement, but according to the National Association of State Procurement Officials’ most recent survey, only 32 have an active electronic system in place. And few of those systems approach the full functionality of Virginia’s.
E-procurement (also often referred to as a supplier exchange) is a must for states that want to procure goods and services efficiently. But before embarking on implementation, states should understand emerging best practices. For a smoothly functional e-procurement system, many elements must be in place, including:
• A single online point of entry
• Self-service supplier registration
• A centralized bidders’ list
• Use of push technology
Read more: The Right Way to Do E-Procurement
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