Birse Rail Limited has chosen Asite to deliver Asite Tender to provide an electronic tendering solution for their Structures Framework Contract in association with their client, Network Rail Infrastructures Limited. Their Structures Framework Contract started in 2000 and in recognition of their performance they were successfully awarded a two-year extension to their contract, until 2005.
Birse Rail Limited's SFC Contract covers the planning, design and implementation of repairs and renewals to major structures, including bridges and tunnels, as well as a programme of embankment strengthening work. Electronic tendering is seen by Birse Rail as a key way of improving communication and reducing project costs: 'We expect to dramatically reduce the administrative overhead of managing the tenders for the framework agreement as well as improving visibility on behalf of our client, Network Rail. The visible audit trail and fast track communication process that it facilitates will also ensure a more proactive communication network with our supply chain during the tender process whilst maintaining the integrity and security of the tender process, ' said Victoria Hill-Stanford, Supply Chain Manager, Birse Rail Limited.
'Asite Tender provided all the functionality we needed, yet is very simple to use and cost effective. The support services from Asite will ensure that our users and suppliers are completely comfortable with using the tool, so that we can progress quickly with using it within our business', she continued. 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. 'We are impressed with the innovative approach that Birse Rail Limited was able to demonstrate when bidding for the two year extension of the Structures Framework agreement, including their proposed use of Asite Tender. As a client, Asite Tender will allow us to track tender progress and contribute to an improvement in the quality of the bid submissions through better communication,' commented Lyndon Middleton, Contract and Commercial Manager, Network Rail Midlands
Sir John Egan, Chairman Asite plc, said 'Asite continues to provide new innovative solutions which support their objective of achieving improved productivity throughout the supply chain - improving communication, refining processes and providing a key part of the toolkit needed to achieve continuous improvement in construction.' Tom Dengenis, CEO, Asite, concluded, 'In using Asite Tender, Birse Rail Limited will achieve direct economic benefit from their first electronic tender.
We have designed Asite Tender to provide robust technology that is simple to use, making a compelling proposition for the entire supply chain to easily adopt.'
Asite Insights in your inbox.
Sign up for product news and our latest insights published monthly. It's a newsletter so hot, even global warming can't keep up.
