Gov’t to roll out 'Tender Lite' in April

The category will cover tenders up to $1m for general goods and services.

The government will launch Tender Lite in April, Second Minister for Finance, Chee Hong Tat, announced.

In a speech, Chee said the Tender Lite, a new category of government tender with fewer and simpler conditions, will cover tenders up to $1m for general goods and services.

Under the Tender Lite category, there are no "Security Deposits" and "Liquidated Damages" requirements.

“This will reduce the cost on businesses and the risk they bear when taking part in Tender Lite tenders,” Chee said.

The second minister added that the Tender Lite launch will also result in simpler procurement conditions for around 90% of government contracts, benefiting small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The launch of Tender Lite is amongst the measures the government will implement to improve the ease of doing business in Singapore.

“For many SMEs, government contracts are an opportunity to build credibility and track record, which is helpful when they subsequently bid for private sector and overseas contracts. We can achieve this because the buyers know that the Singapore Government awards contracts based on merit via open and fair competition, focusing on quality and value-for-money outcomes,” Chee said.

“We aim to level the playing field and remove unnecessary obstacles that prevent competitive and innovative suppliers, including our small and new businesses, from participating in and winning government contracts. So this is what we seek to do under Tender Lite and other initiatives,” Chee added.

According to Chee, over 80% by number and about 40% by value of government procurement opportunities have been awarded to SMEs.