SOPO Backs Streamlined Procurement Service

GLASGOW, Scotland, April 19, 2011 - At a time when transparency and efficiency in public spending is
critical, one of the UK's leading procurement organisations has welcomed the
launch of a new service aimed at making it easier for public sector buyers to
manage and engage with their local supplier base.

The Society of Procurement Officers in Local Government (SOPO), which has
more than 3300 members across the UK, is endorsing the Select Supplier
Information Database, developed by supply chain management experts BiP
Solutions. The service will cut the time and costs associated with tendering
processes for both buyers and suppliers: welcome news at a time when both are
under pressure. Public sector procurement has been criticised by suppliers
for being overly bureaucratic and inefficient - Select aims to help address
this concern.

Select is a national pre-qualification service for the public sector. It
is free to public sector buyers and provides them with a diverse database of
suppliers from across the UK, allowing them to benefit from a single
streamlined procurement service that is both transparent and fully compliant.

The database contains suppliers that have either self-certified or
upgraded to Select Accredit status. Those who opt for Select Accredit status
are fully assessed and accredited to the same exacting standards as those set
by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). This provides
buyers with the assurance that their suppliers meet a respected government
accreditation standard, saving time and effort on repeated supplier
verification. Suppliers benefit by having to complete a Pre-Qualification
Questionnaire (PQQ) only once, which is designed to mirror the standard
response format of the Office of Government Commerce PQQ.

Peter Howarth, CEO of SOPO, said: "I'm delighted to support the Select
Supplier Information Database and would encourage all public sector buyers to
sign up to the service. It offers a free system for buyers to manage their
local supply base more efficiently and will greatly reduce their buying risk
as they will have access to a large database of good quality suppliers. Using
this service as part of the tendering process will ensure transparency, which
is a high priority for all areas of the public sector. With the pressure that
buyers and suppliers are under currently, any service that reduces
bureaucracy and simplifies procurement is to be commended."

Select forms part of BiP's Delta eSourcing suite of collaborative
web-based tools which enable public sector buyers to achieve efficiency
savings and procure electronically. Buyers and suppliers can access the
Select Supplier Information Database at www.delta-esourcing.com

NOTES TO EDITORS

Society of Procurement Officers in Local Government

The Society of Procurement Officers in Local Government (SOPO) engages in
a range of activities to promote the strategic purchasing, contracting and
supplies functions. Representing more than 3300 members, SOPO provides area
networks and forums and produces guidance on best practice. Its aim is to
advise local authorities throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Northern
Ireland on all purchasing and supplies matters of national/general interest,
and represent its members on other bodies to promote the Society and its
aims. For more information, visit www.sopo.org

BiP Solutions

BiP Solutions is one of Europe's leading providers of innovative services
that help to optimise supply chain value. The company was established in 1984
to facilitate business between the public and private sectors, and provides
the tools that buyers and suppliers need to engage more effectively with one
another. These include business intelligence services that provide details of
contract opportunities and other market intelligence, electronic systems that
support efficient and effective tendering, consultancy services, training and
development, and events. For more information, visit
www.bipsolutions.com

For more information please contact:

Lorna Donnelly at lorna.donnelly@bipsolutions.com or telephone
+44-(0)141-270-7681

.