The Yukon government on Tuesday rolled out its new online procurement system to replace its 10-year-old Tender Management System.

“We’ve heard from our business community that improved technology is needed to submit bids for government contracts,” Highways and Public Works Minister Richard Mostyn told a press conference held Tuesday morning.

“So, as of August 18th, all new tenders will be posted to this improved platform called bids and tenders and contractors and suppliers will be able to start submitting their bids entirely online.”

The new bids and tender system was up and running Tuesday but the old system will remain in use while the department transitions onto bids and tenders, reporters were told.

All tenders will now be posted to the new system, and contractors and suppliers will have the option until Jan. 1 to post their bids online or by paper for any tenders issued as of yesterday.

Mostyn said bids and tenders will be faster and more reliable.

It will save huge amounts of paper, he said.

The minister said the new system will allow more businesses to get involved and compete for government contracts.

Bids and tenders will also be able to be checked immediately for completeness, he pointed out.

Katie Munroe, the director of procurement services, said the old system will be in use into September, and perhaps October, as tenders were posted on the old system right up until last Friday.

Suppliers and contractors will be required to submit bids on paper for any tenders issued on the old system, she explained.

For any tenders posted on the new system, businesses will be allowed to submit paper bids up until Jan. 1, but after that, all bids will have to be filed online, Munroe explained.

She said bids and tenders will provide the government with a greater ability to track spending and contract performance.

The procurement office has offered training lessons to about 300 suppliers and contractors, she pointed out.

Development of the bids and tender system was done with the participation of the business community and contractors, said Munroe.

She said it has been well-received.

Contractors and suppliers will have to set up an account, and there is a guide available online, plus staff will be available to assist, she said.

Munroe said businesses will be able to submit bids from the comfort of their home, or from their communities.

The online system will eliminate the uncertainty of wondering whether bids sent through the mail arrived on time, she said.

Munroe said with the ability of the bids and tender system to check bids for completeness and mathematical errors, there’ll be fewer bids rejected.

Suppliers and contractors will also have the ability to check off what type of tender notifications they wish to receive, she explained.

Munroe said staff at the procurement office are pleased with the new system.

“We are excited to launch this new eProcurement system to provide a faster and more accessible, reliable and transparent tendering system for businesses,” Mostyn said in a press release announcing the bids and tender system.

“Moving to online bids will save businesses time and money while maximizing the economic benefit for Yukoners. This is part of our enduring commitment to support the economy and drive competition and innovation in the Yukon.”