FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 15, 1998
Contact: Nancy Robins
(714) 834-7643
County Bid Process
Goes On-Line
(SANTA ANA) –
Early next year, the County of Orange’s Purchasing
Department will initiate an on-line bidding process, Gary
Burton, Assistant CEO/Office of Finance, announced today.
"This is an innovative and exciting step for the
County and the business community," Burton said.
"In the past, the County’s bidding process would
begin with printed specifications mailed to a group of
pre-registered vendors that were gleaned from an established
list. Using internet technology, the bid solicitation
will now be available to all interested parties."
Burton said that increased competition translates into
more cost effective goods and services for the community.
A paperless bidding process should also save money because
the volume of printing, postage, supplies, handling and
other expenses for both the County and its vendors will
be reduced. Turn-around times for purchasing transactions
will also shorten.
Recently the County sent approximately 6,000 notices to
current vendors announcing that as of December 1, all
vendor registration will be done electronically. Vendors
who are registered on-line will receive automatic email
notification of solicitations from the County. Then, beginning
in early January, the County will post bid solicitations
on the Internet enabling vendors to submit their bids
electronically. Although certain projects, such as construction
bids requiring blueprints and maps, will continue as before,
most routine bids will be posted electronically, said
Mike Kolodisner, Director, CEO/Administrative Services.
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