Proudly SA: Clearing confusion local tenders are facing
The complexities and technical aspects of requests for proposals (RFPs); requests for quotations (RFQs); and tenders have tripped up many companies whose lack of compliance has gotten them into trouble. Working for an organisation which adheres to the very highest procurement standards, I have been amazed by the non-compliance perpetuated in our state-owned enterprises (SOEs), given that the terms and conditions of procurement are so stringent.
However, even a seasoned and honest procurement officer can be confused by the specifications of some of the items they are required to source.
Even within Proudly SA, although we have a highly competent procurement official, her expertise is financial, and so when confronted with requests from marketing for specialised services and promotional items, there are many back and forth queries between the procurement and line function departments regarding shapes, sizes and quality of materials and much consultation before the RFQ can go out in all its meticulous detail.
The procurement process frequently involves items which relate directly to the function of a company and with which the procurement team is familiar. But from time to time, it is necessary to source other products and services not necessarily linked to the core deliverables, and procurement officials must at times grapple with specifications for products outside of their technical knowledge.
Source: iol.co.za
