Galliford Try supports roll-out of Asite Tender for Network Rail contract

Asite Solutions Ltd, a provider of software and services to support project management and procurement, today announces a contract with Network Rail contractor, Galliford Try, to use its Asite Tender tool for use on the Midlands Building Framework and Bridge Guard Three contract.

Galliford Try has just completed its first tender using Asite Tender for the Whitacre Bridge contract. This was for the provision of labour, supervision, plant and materials to carry out general civils works for a two-span bridge reconstruction including sheet piling, waterproofing and surfacing. Galliford Try has already trained a quarter of its supply chain to use Asite Tender and its use was well received by those subcontractors tendering for this package of work.

Asite Tender has been designed to automate the existing tender process in a secure online environment. It allows the upload of tender specifications to a central area for easy access by authorised bidders, removing the need for the manual copying and distribution of tender documents and updates. Electronic communications improve the speed and clarity of information exchange, and bid submissions are made to separate secure bid areas, ensuring the confidentiality of all bidders.

Mark Sargent, a senior buyer at Galliford Try, says: "We've seen the benefits that other contractors have achieved using Asite Tender and we're confident that the software will help us manage our supply chain with Network Rail and our subcontractors more effectively. Using Asite Tender has made it easier to manage communications, respond to queries and ensure that everyone's got the information they need during the tender process."

Tom Dengenis, chief executive officer, Asite plc, said, "Electronic tendering is playing a key role in the procurement process of all complex products and services. It provides a transparent environment, ensuring all bidders have access to the same information. It also vastly improves the efficiency of the process involved in distributing, reviewing and querying the huge volumes of information in order that suppliers can fully understand the specification, and submit a detailed and accurate bid return. This is particularly pertinent to projects such as those tendered by Network Rail's contractors, due to the volume of tenders involved."