Makes Process More Transparent for All and Encourages Competition

Seeks to Level Playing Field for Minority & Women owned Firms

Mineola, N.Y. - Companies and individuals who do business with Nassau County will be able to register as a vendor and submit bids for work online as part of Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi's ongoing effort to increase competition and make the county's multi-million purchasing process more user-friendly and fairer for everyone.

"This new eProcurement system will make our purchasing process more open and transparent for all companies that want to do business with the county," Suozzi said. "It will also help level the playing field for women and minority-owned firms that are seeking to compete for county business."

The new process was developed as part of the Suozzi administration's "eGovernment" initiative that began in 2003 and that has modernized numerous areas of county government, making it easier for citizens to access county services and information via the Internet.

Currently, more than 30,000 vendors supply the county with more than $200 million in goods, services and construction expertise each year. Previously, all of the county's purchasing was done via paper solicitations. Under the new system, business owners will be able to access information about available county bids and Request for Proposals (RFP) via the county's website, will be able to register on line as a vendor and will be able to update their information electronically.

In addition, businesses who register online will receive automatic email notification when a bid or RFP is amended.

The eProcurement system is expected to assist the county in doing a better job of reaching out to women and minority owned businesses who are seeking to do business with Nassau.

In October of 2002, Suozzi signed Local 14 that requires the county to take the lead in removing barriers that discourage minority and women-owned businesses from seeking to do business with Nassau County. A study commissioned by the Suozzi administration later found there was a lack of meaningful participation by minority and women-owned businesses in contracts within the county. The study recommended that the county use technology to enhance its data base of minority and women-owned businesses.

"By going on line with vendor registration, the Suozzi administration is making good on its promise to do a better job of reaching out to minority and women-owned businesses," said John Moye, Executive Director of the Nassau County Office of Minority Affairs.

"The perception in the past has been that in order to get a contract with Nassau County, you had to 'know someone,'" Suozzi said. "By putting all this information online, we are opening up the process, fostering competition and making sure that businesses owners who want to compete for our business have a fair and equal opportunity to do so."

The online registration application is designed in a way that vendors have access to on-line help throughout the entire registration process. This process also will make companies' services available to other County purchasing agents, including Nassau Community College.

All vendors are encouraged to register using the Nassau County system by December 31, 2005. The online application can be found at http://eproc.nassaucountyny.gov/ or on the County homepage under eServices for Business.

Nassau County will provide two short workshops on October. 20th, 2005 that will walk vendors through the registration process. The times of these workshops are: 9:30 - 11:30 am and 1-3 pm at C.W. Post/Long Island University in the Hillwood Commons Lecture Hall. Those interested in attending the workshops must RSVP by Oct. 10th, 2005 to Kecia Bowden at 516 571 4061 or by email to NCvendors@nassaucountyny.gov.