The proposed new procurement bill will provide an online site that will expedite the purchasing of goods and services in the government, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said.

Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said in a statement that the proposed Government Procurement Reform Act or House Bill 9648 aims to promote transparency, competitiveness, and efficiency in government procurement.

“Towards efficiency, we will streamline processes through digitalization and innovation by adopting electronic (e)-bidding and by modernizing the centralized procurement system of the Procurement Service (PS)-DBM,” Pangandaman said.

“The Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) offers innovative features and solutions, including e-reverse auction, e-shopping/e-small-value procurement, and the e-marketplace which will be expanded to include non-common-use supplies with a registration facility for qualified suppliers,” she added.

Under Section 6 of the proposed bill, PhilGEPS should be the single electronic that will serve as the source of information for all procurement activities for the acquisition of goods, infrastructure projects, and consulting services from procurement planning to payment.

Procuring entities are required to register with PhilGEPS for the purchase of common-use supplies and equipment and utilize its innovative features as per the procedures set by the Government Procurement Policy Board.

It also allows them to facilitate the efficient online transmission, conveyance, and use of electronic data messages or electronic documents, the DBM said

Features include an electronic bulletin board where procurement opportunities, notices, awards, and reasons for awarding are posted; a registry of manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, contractors, and consultants; and a catalogue of common-use goods, supplies, materials, and equipment.

In addition, the electronic site will also have a virtual store which is open only to registered procuring entities and may not be accessed by suppliers, and an electronic marketplace which allows to search, view, compare, select, and procure common-use and non-common-use supplies and equipment from legally, technically, and financially capable suppliers.

For non-common use goods, the electronic marketplace will allow suppliers to present their goods and inventory on a consignment basis, from which procuring entities may choose their bid based on their needs and requirements.

Further, features also include electronic reverse auction, electronic small value procurement, electronic or digital payment, and electronic bidding.

Procuring entities with established electronic procurement systems must provide for a seamless interface of systems with the PhilGEPS to ensure efficient sharing of procurement information.