IT’S BUSINESS AS USUAL, AND THEN SOME…


As of the 1st May 2013, B1SA BEE Management Solutions (“B1SA”) will go DIRECT. B1SA will provide you with the same services previously offered through the DTI B-BBEE Information Portal, plus a whole lot more. The service will be provided directly to the market as the B1SA Opportunities Network (http://bee.b1sa.co.za).


HOW DID THIS COME ABOUT?

The DTI recently made a decision to discontinue offering the B-BBEE Information Portal with effect from 30 April 2013.

WHO IS B1SA BEE MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS?

B1SA are the professionals who developed and licensed the technology used by the DTI. B1SA are also the ones who have managed and provided the actual service behind the Information Portal - since its inception in 2008.

WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU:

The service will continue to be maintained at the same level of quality you have become accustomed to, with the promise to add EXCITING FEATURES in the near future. The framework for B-BBEE and the transformation imperative have not changed.

All entities, previously listed on the DTI Opportunities Network with a BEE Profile, will continue to be listed on the B1SA Opportunities Network with the same Unique Reference Number (URN) until the indicated expiry date, at no additional cost to the entity.

Procurement Managers and buyers, who have been using this service for the collation of B-BBEE information with integrity and the sourcing of B-BBEE suppliers and opportunities, will enjoy the continued benefit.

As for suppliers who have been marketing their products and services on the Opportunities Network and / or posting certificates centrally on the Registry for clients, they may continue to do so.

WHAT’S MORE:

As a private company committed to playing a strategic role in the building of a GREAT and PROSPEROUS South Africa, B1SA undertakes to

  • Offer valuable & strategic products & services to help you and your business;
  • Provide innovative, meaningful & beneficial business-to-business opportunities;
  • Work with existing corporate and government clients, for whom B1SA has collated and maintained supplier information on over 125 000 unique suppliers, all of which will translate into many more opportunities for you;
  • Extend the value proposition and opportunities associated with buyers and suppliers alike.

Some anticipated value enhancements currently in the pipeline with planned delivery to you over the next 3 to 6 months include:

  • Enhanced business profiling capabilities for businesses to market their products and services
  • Ability for buyers to find suppliers based on:
    • Black ownership credentials - inclusive of black women (currently there are over 12 000 businesses in this category listed on the Network)
    • Location
    • Size of entity
    • Spend categories
    • CIPC, SARS and B-BBEE validations
  • Facility for:
    • Buyers to post supply opportunities and tenders,
    • Notify suppliers of such opportunities based on their business profile.
  • Assist entities to source:
    • SANAS approved verification agencies and
    • IRBA accredited B-BBEE registered auditors.
  • Offer preferred listings for suppliers based on various products and services.
  • Innovate & expand marketing opportunities for suppliers and buyers.

QUERIES TO DTI

Please direct any queries related to the discontinuation of the service, as well as all transactions and interactions up to and including the 30th April 2013 – directly to the DTI on 0861 843 384. Please note that all interactions and transactions with the service as from the 1st of May 2013 are between the User and B1SA (T&C’s apply).

Looking forward to working with you and celebrating great achievements!

The B1SA Opportunities Network Support Team