State of California and Accenture Launch Online Procurement
Sacramento, March 7, 2001 -- The California Department of General Services Procurement Division and Accenture today unveiled CAL-Buy, the state’s new online procurement system. CAL-Buy will link the state’s buyers to hundreds of existing government contracts for the approximately $6 billion worth of goods and services the state purchases annually. The system also will allow the Department of General Services and the agencies it serves to make complex acquisitions and place routine orders electronically at pre-arranged prices via the Internet
The new automated system, based on Ariba Buyer™,uses the Internet to streamline California’s purchasing and contracting processes, bringing the state to the forefront of eProcurement among state governments. CAL-Buy also will help California government agency purchasers spend tax dollars efficiently while making it easier for vendors to conduct business with the state.
"Whether we’re purchasing school buses or computers, state purchasing agents can use CAL-Buy to order the products needed to keep the State of California operating," Governor Davis said. "CAL-Buy will automate existing contracts for goods and services. This will lead to greater efficiency while reducing government costs."
During the first phase, CAL-Buy is expected to encourage consolidation of purchasing and the use of existing commodity contracts negotiated by the Department of General Services. The state agencies will find it easier to determine what products are available on state commodity contracts, enabling them to make more cost-effective decisions.
"E-Procurement will save state purchasers’ time by eliminating lengthy searches and cost comparisons using paper catalogs," said Arun Baheti, California director of eGovernment. "Additionally, as a result of Accenture’s assistance, California now has a system that will result in more state government purchases flowing through the Department of General Services, making it easier to track buying activity and giving us data we can use to negotiate better vendor contracts."
"The CAL-Buy system is easily accessed online and allows users to quickly search through a wide variety of state contracts," said Audrey Harrell, an associate partner with Accenture’s Government practice. "CAL-Buy enables orders to be sent directly to suppliers via e-mail or fax. This electronic routing improves and streamlines current business processes."
Accenture, which is helping governments worldwide transform themselves to support and succeed in the New Economy, combined its knowledge of government, best business practices, systems integration experience and business reengineering skills with Ariba B2B eCommerce technology to develop the CAL-Buy system.
"E-Procurement improves government efficiencies, so that state agencies are free to direct more resources toward their core, citizen-centered missions," Harrell said. "Accenture is pleased to partner with the Department of General Services to bring eCommerce to state government and maximize the use of taxpayer dollars."
About Accenture
Accenture is a $10 billion global management and technology consulting organization. The firm is reinventing itself to become the market maker, architect and builder of the new economy, bringing innovations to improve the way the world works and lives. More than 70,000 people in 46 countries deliver a wide range of specialized capabilities and solutions to clients across all industries. Under its strategy, the firm is building a network of businesses to meet the full range of client needs -- consulting, technology, outsourcing, alliances and venture capital. Accenture’s home page is http://www.accenture.com.
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Barbara Hohbach
+1 (703) 947 1838
barbara.d.hohbach@accenture.com
Jaleh Allameh
+1 (703) 947-3450