New online tender system will help construction companies

Finance Minister Arlene Foster has launched a new, improved online tender system for public sector contracts in Northern Ireland.

The new eTendersNI system will make it easier for construction and other companies to submit online tenders for government contracts.

The Minister said: “eTendersNI is another important step along government’s path to continuous improvement. It will be the principal source of information for public sector tender opportunities in Northern Ireland, with more organisations using it to advertise their tenders than the previous portal, eSourcing NI. Its functionality will improve efficiency for suppliers, by making it easier and faster to bid for government contracts.

“Each year Northern Ireland public sector contracts account for more than £2.5billion of expenditure. Of those contracts awarded in year 75% go to local businesses, the majority of which are SMEs. I want to see that success continue and CPD has been working closely with the private sector and the CEF, to improve procurement processes and the visibility of construction procurement projects in the pipeline to help businesses compete for more government contracts.”

The new eTendersNI system was welcomed by CEF Managing Director, John Armstrong, who said: “We welcome CPD’s commitment to collaborative working with the private sector to develop, procure and deliver better public service, and this new eTendersNI system is certainly positive news for the construction industry in Northern Ireland.

“Tendering and procurement is of vital importance to the industry. Over the last number of years CEF has developed a close working relationship with CPD to increase efficiency and reduce bureaucracy in relation to tendering and procurement.

“We will be working closely with our members in the coming months to ensure that they are able to adapt quickly to the new eTendersNI system and avail of every opportunity that it may bring to grow the construction sector in Northern Ireland.”