MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS
B2B Exchange websites
The Canadian Government is vigilant about doing business with local enterprises and has developed means by which government tenders can be publicised to encourage local participation. The MERX and BuyandSell.gc.ca websites are useful in providing information on government tenders that is reliable to businesses. MERX is a comprehensive website that offers information on both the private and public arenas in Canada and the U.S. in providing activities with opportunities (MERX, What is Merx?, 2020). BuyandSell.gc.ca is an information service provider to all businesses in Canadian government operations only (Buyandsell.gc.ca, 2020). MERX offers business opportunities a chance to obtain information on both government tenders and privately-owned companies both in Canada and the U.S. At the same time, BuyandSell.gc.ca exclusively deals with bids from the Canadian Government only.
While BuyandSell.gc.ca is a free website and users do not need to register to use it, MERX users have to register to use it and pay subscription fees depending on the exclusive services they want to access. MERX has different pricing options which differ based on the premium content they are offering; necessary subscriptions are free, there’s a one-time charge of $55.00 and a complete subscription fee of $ 248.00 annually (MERX, 2020). MERX is privately owned service by the Mediagrif Interactive Technologies Company, while the Canadian Government owns BuyandSell.gc.ca in providing its procurement information.
MERX has a horizontal exchange model since it connects buyers and sellers across all types of industries; this is due to its operations that aim to unite all businesses to various opportunities dealing in numerous commodities (MERX, What is Merx?, 2020). Contractors and suppliers in both public and private sectors have a chance to have access to various products and services. It also operates on a functional exchange system that focuses on allowing contractors and suppliers to work on temporary contracts. The BuyandSell.gc.ca website deals with specifically operational exchange systems by offering government tenders that are temporarily based. It also has a vertical exchange model since it connects buyers and sellers in one type of industry, the e-tendering industry, for government bids. Both websites mainly rely on functional exchange programs since the bids and tenders are periodic hence the updating of frequent opportunities to enable the business to handle various tasks
Goods and services tendered by BuyandSell.gc.ca
The Canadian Government is particular on the type of goods and services being tendered on the BuyandSell.gc.ca website, and each commodity is allocated an identification code number for easy referral. The products and services identified for bidding by the website are tools, parts and equipment, professional services, and Construction (BuyandSell.gc.ca, 2020). The tools, part and equipment goods being tendered are in relation to electronics, safety equipment, hand tools and security equipment. Some of the tools and safety equipment being tendered include machinery and personal protective equipment, i.e., special gloves. Different institutions in the Government are subject to make differing tender notices based on the requirement for differing services and goods needed to facilitate operations in the state.
The time involved to place the tender for the brown leather special gloves for both make and female officers as per the tender notice was one month as per the tender terms of agreement. This bid targets all global suppliers, and the procuring entity is the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The tender requires at least 1440 gloves and is deemed to last for at least 36 months (Buyandsell.gc.ca, Tender Notice, 2020). The bidder was selected based on the lowest price, and the procuring entity still maintains the right to negotiate on prices. The conditions of contract being used for this tenders were the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT). The bid was deemed to end after 36 months during which the suppliers were expected to have completed the manufacturing and supply of all the products. The contract states that the supplier has the option of making supplies in stages until they fully meet the demanded numbers.
Unsuitable goods and services for tender
In my opinion goods and services such as defence and police equipment supplies should not be tendered on the buyandsell.gc.ca or MERX websites. Supplies such as guns, bombs, and other explosives are vital in aiding police to carry out their works. These are highly sensitive commodities that are internally used as a means to ensure safe operations are accorded in the country. The sole reason for proposing that this equipment are nullified is to ensure that state secrets and security matters are not publicised. The opposing parties and other illegal terrorist groups may use such information to plan and estimate how well prepared the state is in dealing with the terrorism attacks. The easy access to such police equipment creates a warfare environment as seen in the past where individuals can easily access guns and explosives from known government suppliers.
However, protective clothing such as gloves and police uniform can be tendered in instances where the Government feels there is a need to have more special production and involvement of commercial suppliers. Information on police equipment tenders may be used by ill-meaning citizens to conduct surveillance on the future operations of the state. It may also expose suppliers at the hands of terrorists who will purchase similar products to use for impersonation and other terrorism acts. Safety and security of a country is very critical. Hence, all measures must be undertaken to ensure that states have reliable means where they can engage local participation of various commodities without involving a lot of private partnership.
References
BuyandSell.gc.ca. (2020). Goods and services. Retrieved from BuyandSell.gc.ca: https://buyandSell.gc.ca/goods-and-services
Buyandsell.gc.ca. (2020). Government of Canada Tenders on Buyandsell.gc.ca. Retrieved from Buyandsell.gc.ca: https://buyandsell.gc.ca/
Buyandsell.gc.ca. (2020). Tender Notice. Retrieved from Buyandsell.gc.ca: https://buysell.gc.ca/procuremnent-data/tender-notice/PW-17-00768411
MERX. (2020). Pricing. Retrieved from MERX: https://www.merx.com/public/pricing?languages=EN
MERX. (2020). What is Merx? Retrieved from MERX.