DBM OKs guidelines for gov't procurement e-market pilot

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the guidelines for the pilot implementation of an online platform or electronic marketplace for government agencies' procurement of supplies and equipment from reputable suppliers.

The DBM said in a statement Tuesday that Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, who sits as the chair of the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB), has approved the GPPB Resolution 06-2024 dated Oct. 4, 2024.

The GPPB Resolution 06-2024, titled "Approving the Proposed Guidelines for the Pilot Implementation of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System Electronic Marketplace," would set the stage for the trial run of the government procurement e-marketplace, according to the Budget Department.

"Tuloy na tuloy na po ang 'add to cart' sa ating government procurement systems! Sa paglabas po ng bagong guidelines, uusad na po tayo sa trial phase ng ating e-marketplace," said Pangandaman.

(The 'add to cart' scheme in our government procurement system is on the go. With the release of this new guidelines, we can now proceed with the trial phase for the e-marketplace.)

"Masaya po tayo sa progreso ng ating digitalization efforts para sa procurement systems, lalo na't ilang buwan palang po noong maisabatas ang NGPA," said the Budget chief.

(We are glad with the progress of our digitalization efforts for the procurement systems, especially since it was only a few months when the NGPA became a law.)

In July, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. inked Republic Act 12009 or the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA), which amended the 20-year old Government Procurement Reform Act.

Among the new law's salient features was the use of alternative modes of procurement such as the creation of an "e-marketplace" for government's purchase of common-use supplies and equipment (CSE) through the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM).

Meanwhile, the DBM said the new guidelines on implementing the e-marketplace for government procurement "would ensure a successful pilot and eventual nationwide implementation."

The Budget Department said pilot phase will focus on specific common-use supplies and equipment, particularly motor vehicles, airline tickets, cloud computing services, and software licenses, to guarantee that the eMarketplace is tested in a controlled and measurable environment.

It added that each CSE will undergo rigorous validation by the PS-DBM to confirm compliance with technical standards and readiness for inclusion.

The guidelines were developed by the GPPB through extensive consultations with government agencies, according to the DBM.

Moreover, feedback from stakeholders was carefully integrated to align the eMarketplace's features with the practical needs of its users.

"We have many brilliant minds involved in reviewing and revising the guidelines. We have the National Economic and Development Authority, the Department of Education, Department of National Defense, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Transportation, Procurement Service of the DBM, as well as representatives from the private sector. Lahat po kami nagtulong-tulong dito (We all worked together for this)," said Pangandaman.

Provisions allow procuring entities (PEs) to source CSEs from other suppliers under specific circumstances, such as stock unavailability or when other options are more efficient, practical, or economically viable, as expressly provided in the NGPA.

To streamline the procurement process, the e-marketplace will make use of electronic signatures and payments. An automated system will handle submission and processing of procurement requests, reducing paperwork and delays, according to the DBM.

For smoother adoption, the Budget Department said detailed training modules and support systems will be provided by the PS-DBM.

These will equip users with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively use the platform, it said.

A review mechanism for the pilot's performance has also been established for the e-marketplace, whereby the PS-DBM shall submit to the GPPB to determine system efficiency and procurement effectiveness to refine the system further.

The DBM said the digital platform streamlines procurement activities by offering a centralized online system where government requirements are met with greater accessibility and clarity under a robust legal framework. — VDV, GMA Integrated News