Here are a couple of simple ideas to insure that your e-procurement bids are as successful as possible.
Competitive bidding is the process of inviting and obtaining bids from competing suppliers in response to documented specifications, by which an award is made to the best overall bid that meets or exceeds the specifications in areas such as price and quality. There are keys to understanding and making your bidding competitive and successful when using e-negotiation tools.
One of the most important elements and most overlooked is that of incumbent supplier communication once a bid has been authorized. This means that your entire company is on the same page. That page is agreeing to not setting any false expectations with your incumbent suppliers. Because you already have a relationship with these companies you will most likely receive calls, emails, IM?s and texts wanting to know what is going on. Your company line has to be that ?We value our relationship and encourage you to use this process as it is the only process by which we will review bids?. Do not indicate that everything will be ok or that things will work out just fine or any similar language. If you are using a 3rd party, instruct your incumbent supplier or suppliers to provide any questions or communications they have through the third party only.
To make it simpler, be honest, be thorough and don?t set any expectations. Keep this in mind and all suppliers will feel like they were treated fairly and want to bid to win your business again.
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