Published 7 December 2022
Last updated 26 January 2023
Top 10 frequently asked questions
1. How do I create or merge my eSourcing account with Public Procurement Gateway (PPG)?
To create or merge your eSourcing account with PPG you will need to:
- sign in to your PPG account
- go to the ‘manage organisation’ tile on your PPG dashboard and select ‘add new registry’
- select the Dun and Bradstreet option from the drop down menu and then add your company Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) as it is shown in your Digital Marketplace profile
- select the ‘eSourcing’ tile (this should open up a separate browser window)
If you can not see an eSourcing tile on your PPG dashboard, this means that your roles have not been set up correctly.
If you are the admin: you can fix this by ensuring that you have allocated the eSourcing tile to your profile.
If you are not the admin: you will need to make sure your organisation’s admin allocates the tile to your profile.
Read question 8 for more information on how to do this.
Once the eSourcing tile is visible in your PPG dashboard you will need to:
- click on the eSouring tile (the next screen should prompt you to create your eSourcing account)
- select the appropriate option
This is a one time process. After this, you can access the platform by clicking the eSourcing tile on your PPG dashboard.
2. What if we didn’t use a DUNs number as our registry when signing up to PPG?
You will need to add a new registry in PPG which includes a DUNs number. To do this you should:
- sign in to your PPG account
- go to the ‘manage organisation’ tile on your PPG dashboard and select ‘add new registry’
- select the Dun and Bradstreet option from the drop down menu and then add your company DUNS as it is shown in your Digital Marketplace profile
3. Where do I view the opportunities for DOS6 that I have been invited to?
There are two ways you can view your DOS6 opportunities. You can:
- click on the eSourcing link in your email notification to sign in to your eSourcing account
- you will receive an email notification every time you are invited to an opportunity
- view and download the tender documents and respond to or decline the invitation
Or you can:
- sign in to your eSourcing account using the tile in your PPG dashboard
- select the ‘My ITT’s’ option and view the opportunity
- view and download the tender documents and respond to or decline the invitation
4. Why are there no DOS 6 opportunities in the eSourcing portal?
You will only be able to see these once a buyer has invited you to take part in a further competition.
When a buyer invites you to join an opportunity, you will receive an email notification to let you know. You will then be able to view the opportunity in your eSourcing platform under the ‘My ITT’s’ section.
5. How do suppliers respond to a published procurement?
Suppliers will respond to published procurements using the eSourcing portal and through the ‘My ITT’s” section.
If you want to find out more information on how to register and respond to tenders and further competitions using the eSourcing tool. Access the eSourcing tool: guidance for suppliers.
6. How do I know if I am set up to receive email notifications of opportunities for DOS 6 procurements I am invited to?
If you have followed the steps in question 1, you will receive all emails to notify you of opportunities that you have been invited to.
You can also make sure that the emails are not going to your spam or filter folders by:
- instructing your IT team to accept all emails from:
7. I am receiving an error message that says “Roles are conflicting between PPG and CAS?
You will need to check you have the correct roles assigned to you in ‘Manage my account’.
If you are not your organisation’s admin, you will need to check with them to make sure they have assigned the correct roles to you.
The following roles need to be assigned to your profile in PPG.
| Role Name | Required for access to eSourcing |
| eSourcing Service as a supplier | Yes |
| eSourcing Service – add service | Yes |
| eSourcing Service – add to dashboard | Yes |
8. I am receiving an error message that says “The username or password entered is not valid, please check and try again….. Authentication failed” What do I need to do?
This message appears when you are being asked to merge an existing eSourcing account.
To fix the issue you should check that all the information you have entered is correct.
If you are unsure of your username or password click on the ‘main page’ link at the top of the error message. This will take you to the eSourcing homepage where you can:
- reset your account
- ask for a reminder of your username
You can also access the reset account option here if you need to confirm your username or reset your password.
9. How do I update my eSourcing supplier profile to change things like the company details and DUNS?
Only the Superuser in your organisation has the access rights needed to make these changes. They will need to:
- go to PPG dashboard and click the eSourcing tile
- select the ‘manage your profile’ from their user profile section (at the top right of the page)
- click on the pen icon (top right) to edit
- make the necessary changes and then click ‘save’
10. What am I meant to do when I see the screen that says “Your SSO ID isn’t associated with one Username. Use your credentials to bind your ID with your user….bind your ID with an existing user”?
This is where you will need to enter your existing eSourcing sign in credentials.
If you do not know them, read question 8.
Supplier webinars: all questions and answers
After running a number of webinars for suppliers on DOS 6, we have collated all the questions you asked during the sessions and have provided answers.