The utilization of the GoBonfire eProcurement platform is a necessary change in the government’s move to completely overhaul the Public Procurement Act, Prime Minister Philip Davis said yesterday.
Davis, who brought remarks at the launch event for the portal at Margaritaville Beach Resort, said the old procurement portal was retired and replaced by GoBonfire.
The new portal will build on the government’s commitment to bring equity to the distribution of government contracts, Davis said.
“From anywhere, a business entity can submit proposals for procurement opportunities with government and quasi-government agencies,” the prime minister said.
“For fiscal year 2022/2023, we have allocated approximately $795 million for recurrent and capital expenditure.
“That represents vast procurement opportunities for goods and services and for construction services.”
He added, “While we accept the merits of competitive procurement processes, legislation for intentionally discriminatory practices to ensure that small businesses, Family Island vendors, and women are afforded access to and opportunities for participation in the economy is critical to empowering those who have traditionally been excluded or denied access.
“By Our Blueprint [for Change], we also committed to allocate five percent of all government procurement contracts to businesses owned by young Bahamians.
“Small businesses, Family Island businesses, businesses owned by women, and businesses owned by young Bahamians will be monitored as key performance indicators for this administration.
“However, for the sake of clarity, let me say this, nobody should be deprived of opportunities to contribute to national development through procurement.”
According to Davis, the country’s Corruption Perceptions Index for 2021, where The Bahamas ranked 30 out of 183 countries with a score of 64 out of 100, speaks to the need to eradicate perceived corruption in government procurement.
He said the government committed itself to fiscal consolidation and the modernization of procurement processes.
“This new day government is solidly resolved in its ideals of good governance, integrity, and accountability,” Davis said.
“Procurement will necessarily be affected by our transformative co-dependent policy advances that require amendments to the Public Financial Management Act, the Public Procurement Act, and the Fiscal Responsibility Act.
“A new Public Procurement Bill will soon be publicized for consultation.”
The new eProcurement site was developed by the Toronto-based company Bonfire.
Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers’ Confederation Chair Khrystle Rutherford-Ferguson, who also spoke at the launch event yesterday, contended that the new system will support competition and reduce government expenditure.
“Although is it trite to say that small and medium-size enterprises are the lifeblood of the Bahamian economy, I would be remiss if I did not underscore that this saying is still very true,” she said.
“Accordingly, a system which supports increased opportunities is well received and considered a step in the right direction.
“Notwithstanding the fact that some levels of the tendering process were available online, we welcome the move to modernize and to improve on what existed before. Modern, open and fair public procurement systems benefit not only businesses, but government and its citizens as well.”
Davis said the new portal will assist government in improving data collection and to ensure there is monitoring of the life-cycle of the projects.