Bahrain has announced the launch of a new online tendering system for companies bidding for government contracts.

The Tender Board and the eGovernment Authority (eGA) launched the first phase of the eTendering System, which will initially enable government departments to prepare application documents, submit tender documents and allow suppliers and contractors from the private sector to purchase documents through it.

It was unveiled in a ceremony held under the patronage of Deputy Premier and Supreme Committee of Information and Communication Technology chairman Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel and Spa.

'Efforts will continue to implement the second phase which covers the full cycle of the eTendering process - starting from submitting applications of offers, announcing tender invitations for review of the willing bidders to accepting and depositing offers submitted by bidders with confidentiality and protection,' said Tender Board chairman and Housing Minister Bassim Al Hamer.

'This will later be followed by opening tenders in thorough transparency and clear evaluation of the offers, and finally announcing the awarded company, all being done online,' Al Hamer added.

The ceremony also included the launch of the board portal www.tenderboard.gov.bh, which contains information on rules, regulations and tender-related data, in addition to news and activities.

'The portal also provides features of live broadcast for the opening tenders during the weekly meetings held every Thursday and includes additional features such as interacting with smartphones and developing advanced search features,' he said.

Al Hamer said the eContent on the site had been revised to meet United Nations standards for public institutions' websites.

'We are keen on implementing the system which will improve government performance and facilitate procedures related to government tenders and purchases,' he said.

'The process involves all government tenders, transactions and purchases as governed by the Tender Law,' the minister added.

He said the system will be under the supervision of the board and aimed to engage the private sector in a more efficient way.

The system is also designed to reduce administrative costs and time taken to finalise procedures.

'Additionally, it increases the level of quality and transparency in the decision-making process and decreases the number of complaints,' he said.

Al Hamer revealed the board had already started using iPad applications and reducing paperwork, which resulted in saving effort and costs. 'We have also succeeded in enhancing the board's work,' he said.

eGA chief executive and board member Mohammed Ali Al Qaed said the initiative was a step towards a comprehensive strategy for establishing an integrated tendering system.

The board earlier signed a memorandum of understanding with Tamkeen to organise a training programme for suppliers and contractors in the private sector to help them use the system to perform all types of transactions related to government tenders and purchases.

Tamkeen chief executive Mahmood Al Kooheji said the BD42,000 programme provided free training to business owners to become adept at using the system, including how to register, receive notifications, submit bids and track tenders through the eTendering portal.

He said 450 business owners had already benefited from the programme.

'It is one of a wide range of Tamkeen programmes aimed specifically at enterprises, which are open to all business owners in Bahrain, citizens and expats,' he said. 'To date, these have benefited more than 12,000 business owners in Bahrain.' – TradeArabia News Service