Simplifying the Process: How Tender Lite is Making it Easier for SMEs to Win Government Contracts

Viewed by 3,631 Smart Towkays

Mar 09, 2023

How Tender Lite is Making Life Easier for SMEs Gov Tender

Introduction

In a move set to benefit small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Singapore, the government has announced the introduction of a new category of government contracts called Tender Lite. This category has been created specifically to simplify and streamline the tendering process for SMEs, allowing more suppliers to bid for tenders valued between $90,000 and $1 million. This change is expected to cover over 70% of all government tenders currently awarded to SMEs.

What Is Tender Lite? What SMEs Should Know

The introduction of Tender Lite is a clear indication of the government's commitment to supporting SMEs in Singapore. SMEs play a critical role in the Singaporean economy, accounting for over 90% of all enterprises and employing over two-thirds of the workforce. By providing them with greater access to government contracts, the government is helping to build their capabilities and enhance their competitiveness both locally and abroad.

Potential Advantages

One of the biggest advantages of Tender Lite is that it will save businesses time and money. Under the previous system, businesses had to go through a lengthy and complicated process to bid for government contracts. This often meant that smaller businesses with limited resources were unable to compete effectively, as they simply did not have the time or money to invest in the process.

With Tender Lite, the process has been simplified, making it easier for businesses of all sizes to bid for contracts.

Another important advantage of Tender Lite is that it reduces administrative burdens. Under the old system, businesses had to resubmit the same financial statements and company profile when responding to different government quotations and tenders. This was not only time-consuming but also added to the administrative burden of running a business. With Tender Lite, this duplication of effort has been eliminated, making it easier for businesses to focus on their core operations.

What's More In 2023?

To further support SMEs in Singapore, the government has also announced a series of measures aimed at promoting sustainability. Starting from next year, up to 5% of evaluation points for tenders will be allocated to sustainability-related considerations. This will apply to construction projects with an estimated minimum value of $50 million and ICT projects of at least about $10 million.

The aim is to include environmental sustainability requirements and evaluation criteria in all government procurement within the next five years. This move is a clear indication of the government's commitment to promoting sustainability and encouraging businesses to adopt more sustainable practices.

To drive businesses’ sustainability reporting, the government will hold public consultations later this year. This will help to ensure that businesses are aware of the importance of sustainability and are taking steps to improve their sustainability practices.

In addition to these initiatives, the government is also encouraging businesses to step up their digitalization efforts. The electronic invoicing network, InvoiceNow, is one example of this. This system allows businesses to send and receive invoices electronically, making the invoicing process faster, more efficient, and more secure.

There Will Be An Improvement To GeBIZ

In an effort to further support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Singapore, the government is introducing a supplier file repository to the GeBIZ system. This move is expected to benefit around 3,000 firms by the end of the year.

The supplier file repository is a significant improvement to the GeBIZ system, which is the government's online procurement portal. This repository will allow businesses to upload and store their company profile and other relevant documents, such as financial statements and certificates, in one central location. This means that businesses will no longer need to repeatedly submit the same information every time they bid for a government contract, saving them both time and resources.

The supplier file repository is just one of several initiatives aimed at improving the GeBIZ system and making it more user-friendly for SMEs. The introduction of Tender Lite is another significant improvement, as it simplifies the tendering process for SMEs and reduces the administrative burdens associated with bidding for government contracts.

Overall, Tender Lite and the supplier file repository can be seen as sustainability moves for SMEs. By streamlining the procurement process and reducing administrative burdens, SMEs can focus on their core operations and improve their competitiveness. This, in turn, will help to support their growth and development and contribute to the overall sustainability of the Singaporean economy.

Conclusion

The government's commitment to supporting SMEs and promoting sustainability is a positive development for the Singaporean economy. SMEs are the backbone of the economy and play a crucial role in driving innovation and growth. By providing them with greater access to government contracts and supporting their sustainability efforts, the government is helping to create a more level playing field and promoting the long-term health and sustainability of the economy.

Tender Lite and the government's commitment to promoting sustainability and digitalization are positive developments for SMEs in Singapore. By simplifying the tendering process and promoting sustainability, the government is helping to create a more level playing field for SMEs and providing them with greater access to government contracts. This, in turn, will help to build their capabilities, enhance their competitiveness and support their growth and development.