This centralised supplier database has been integrated with Quadrem's SourceLink Electronic Purchasing System (EPSi) to manage their procurement sourcing processes and allocate preferences to quotes received based on verified supplier data in the supplier database.

This brings the South African government one step closer to the possibility of a national supplier database, with local municipalities and provincial government departments in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Gauteng provinces also accessing the system.

Free State Provincial Treasury's move to a comprehensive electronic procurement and supplier management system is expected to drive efficiencies through its supply chain, with cost savings, the acceleration of processes, and an increase in effectiveness ultimately improving service delivery. The move will also bring about greater control and transparency in its preferential procurement processes. "We believe that the implementation of Quadrem Africa's services will not only ensure adherence to the Free State Provincial Government's procurement policies and requirements, but also improve trade relationships between suppliers and ourselves," says Chris Hendricks, Senior Executive Manager: Asset and Liability Management.

Free State Provincial Treasury's partnership with Quadrem Africa will see the establishment of the Free State Centralised Supplier Database (FSCSD), which replaces and consolidates all existing departmental databases previously implemented. It also ensures the province's conformity with current legislation in terms of the preferential procurement of goods and services.

This new centralised supplier database is currently shared by the 11 Free State Provincial Government Departments, as well as the public entities in the province, namely the Free State Gambling Board, Phakisa, the Free State Youth Commission and the Free State Tourism Board.

The first phase of the process involves the consolidation and compulsory registration of both potential and current suppliers on the database, as those who would like to do business with these bodies are required to register on the FSCSD, even if they have previously been recorded on an existing Free State departmental database. While registration on the FSCSD is an ongoing process, all quotations and formal tender responses submitted by suppliers and service providers not registered on the FSCSD effective 1 April 2008, will be made non-compliant.

Open Supplier Days will be held in all five regions in the Free State Province during the month of November 2008 to assist suppliers with the registration process.

Quadrem Africa has implemented its SourceLink EPSi in the 11 provincial government departments and four public entities. Approximately 400 buyers have been trained to use this as a sourcing tool to publish requests for quotations as widely as possible, and manage quote responses in a standardised, transparent manner. The system also allocates preference points to the quotes received as an automated process using verified supplier data in the FSCSD.

Registration and verification on the FSCSD will be accommodated as an ongoing service, and can be conducted, free of charge, by downloading a registration form from www.treasury.fs.gov.za or by contacting the Supplier Database Helpdesk on 0861-CALFRS (0861-225377) or fssupplierdatabase@quadrem.com.

Contacts:
Catherine Hills
Direct: +27.21.680.4600
Email: chills@quadrem.com

Katherine Kirkpatrick
Direct: +1 972.543.8044
Email: kkirkpatrick@quadrem.com