Central Supplier database versus vendor registration
By Werner van Rooyen, Director of HowToTender (Pty) Ltd which specializes in tender consulting and tender training.
As you all know the Government has launched the Central Supplier Database on 1 September 2015. One of the purposes for the Central Supplier Database is “the establishment of a Central Supplier Database (CSD) that will result in one single database to serve as the source of all supplier information for all spheres of government. The purpose of centralising government’s supplier database is to reduce duplication of effort and cost for both supplier and government while enabling electronic procurement processes”. If you are doing business with the Government or if you intend to do business with Government in the near future, you will have to register on the Central Supplier Database.
The question that arises and is asked at our HowtoTender workshops is should we as business owners still register as vendors with the different municipalities and government departments that we do business with? The short answer is yes – you will still have to register as a vendor if it is required from the municipality, government entity or government department.
The reason for this is because there is not a link between all municipalities, government entities or government departments between their databases and that of the CSD. We are aware of certain National Departments such as the National Department of Health that is linked to the Central Supplier Database. There was a transitional period from 1 September 2015 to 31 March 2016 when existing Organ of State supplier databases were transferred to the Central Supplier Database. This has not been completed yet. Once this has been completed you might be requested to validate your information on the Central Supplier Database.
We urge you to register your business on the Central Supplier Database as quickly as possible if you want to do business or continue to do business with government. The process to register is easy.
To learn more about this and many other tender conditions attend our “Become a Tender Expert” 2-Day workshops presented in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Port Elizabeth, and Cape Town. Book and pay online at https://howtotender.co.za/tender-expert-form/
Contact us at wernervr@howtotender.co.za should you require more information.
You can also purchase a Tender Manual (Handbook) on our website https://howtotender.co.za/ which is a step by step guide how to respond to a South African Tender. It includes examples of completed SBD forms.
