Freightgate, a vendor of software aimed at the freight and logistics market, has released version 3.1 of OceanTender, its transportation procurement application. The tool employs a standardized format developed in conjunction with global shippers, third-party logistics providers and carriers. It supports all phases of a tender from initial creation, request, response, shipper evaluation, countering and award. Version 3.1 includes capability for splitting nominations by specific carriers or response rankings. Users can limit nominations by carrier according to a variety of criteria, including percentage of total volume in descending quantity order, percentage for each trade lane where a carrier has the best quote, and for total volume, selecting the smallest gap between quotes first. The system allows for re-quotes in the same round or previous unquoted routes. Automated distribution enables users to send requests, responses, nominations and awards directly from OceanTender, without the need for carrier logins. Distributed data is automatically saved for audit purposes. A dashboard allows for the tracking of carrier performance and responses by round. Freightgate also offers applications for supply chain collaboration and visibility, tender management, electronic invoice and payment, "what-if" scenario analysis, least-cost routing, service contract and quote management, and fulfillment of Federal Maritime Commission publishing requirements.

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