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Overview & Event Types
Benefits for suppliers
Participating in an Event
What you may be asked to provide
Support & FAQs

SAP Ariba Guided Sourcing is the platform Syngenta uses to manage all sourcing events — from gathering market information to running competitive bidding processes. When you are invited to a sourcing event, you will receive a notification via email with a link to participate through SAP Business Network.

At a glance

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Email invitation

You will be invited to events by email. No need to log in to SAP Business Network to participate — you can respond directly from the email notification.
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Three event types

Syngenta runs three types of sourcing events: RFI (information gathering), RFP (proposal & pricing), and e-Auction (competitive live bidding).
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Direct messaging

Communicate directly with the Syngenta sourcing team through the built-in messaging feature — no need for separate emails.
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Secure & confidential

All submissions are secure. Competing suppliers cannot see each other's responses unless explicitly enabled by Syngenta for the event.

Sourcing event types

RFI — Request for Information

Syngenta uses RFIs to gather market intelligence and supplier capability information. No pricing commitments are typically required at this stage.

📌 Used for: market research, supplier shortlisting, capability assessments.

RFP — Request for Proposal

RFPs request detailed proposals including pricing, commercial terms, and technical specifications. This is the main competitive bidding format at Syngenta.

📌 Used for: competitive bids, new contracts, renewals, price negotiations.

eAuction

A live, time-bound bidding event where suppliers compete on price in real time. Syngenta uses several auction formats — the lowest valid bid wins.

📌 Used for: commodity purchasing, standardized goods & services, high-volume contracts.

Benefits for suppliers

Why participate through SAP Ariba Guided Sourcing?

 

  • Single-page interface. All event details, questions, and pricing in one screen, no screen refreshing.
  • Email bidding. Suppliers who prefer working in email or spreadsheets can respond without logging into the portal.
  • Multi-round support. Syngenta can run multiple rounds of the same event to reach optimal outcomes.
  • Real-time messaging. Ask questions and receive clarifications directly within the event, with attachments supported.
  • Full transparency. Track your submission status and event timeline at any time.

How the sourcing process works

Once Syngenta initiates a sourcing event, here is what you can expect at each stage:

 

  1. Invitation Sent. You receive an email invitation from Syngenta via SAP Ariba. The email contains a direct link to the sourcing event and the deadline for participation.
  2. Review Event Content. Access the event to review the scope, questions, requirements, pricing sections, and any attachments (e.g. specifications, contract templates, CAD drawings). You can download all documents.
  3. Ask Questions. Use the built-in messaging feature to communicate with the Syngenta sourcing team. You can send messages to the event owner and attach supporting documents. Responses may be shared publicly with all participants if relevant.
  4. Submit Your Response. Complete all required fields (questions, pricing, and attachments) and submit before the deadline. For e-Auctions, submit your initial bid and adjust in real time as the event runs.
  5. Evaluation & Award. Syngenta reviews all responses and awards the business. You will be notified of the outcome. If successful, the process typically moves to contract creation.

ℹ️ Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are mandatory. You cannot submit your response until all required fields are completed.

What you may be asked to provide

Depending on the event type, the content you are asked to respond to may include any of the following.

❓ Questions

Structured questions with specific answer formats: text, numbers, percentages, dates, yes/no, multiple choice, certificates, or attachments.

💰 Pricing & line items

Submit unit prices, totals, or bid values for specific line items or lots. Used in RFPs and e-Auctions.

📎 Attachments

Upload supporting documents such as product datasheets, certifications, proposals, or technical specifications.

📋 Requirements

Statements you must acknowledge and confirm, such as compliance with commercial terms or quality standards.

🏷️ Sections

Syngenta uses predefined sections to standardize event structure. Your responses are organized within these sections.

📦 Lots

For larger events, Syngenta may group line items into lots. You may be invited to bid on specific lots only.

Step-by-step guides

Expand each section below for detailed guidance on key tasks.

  • Accessing Your Sourcing Event

    When Syngenta invites you to a sourcing event, you will receive an email from SAP Ariba with a direct link.

     

    🆕 NEW USERS — SIGN UP

    1. Click the 'Click Here' link in your invitation email.
    2. Click 'Create new account' and enter company details.
    3. Create your credentials: First Name, Last Name, Username, and Password.
    4. Agree to terms, verify you are not a robot, and click 'Create Account'.
    5. Ariba will validate your address — select recommended or keep original.
    6. Confirm your email via the confirmation email sent by Ariba.
    7. Optionally add Product/Service Categories and location.

     

    🔑 EXISTING USERS — SIGN IN

    1. Click the 'Click Here' link in your invitation email.
    2. Enter your existing Ariba username and password.
    3. Once signed in via Syngenta's link, the ANID connection will be established.

     

    🌐 REGISTERED USERS — DIRECT ACCESS

    1. Go to supplier.ariba.com and log in.
    2. Select 'Ariba Proposals & Questionnaires' from the drop-down menu.
    3. You will be directed to Syngenta's events, questionnaires, and other activities.
  • Submitting Your Response (RFI/RFP)
    1. Open the event and navigate to the Questions, Requirements & Attachments tab.
    2. Complete all sections — mandatory fields are marked with an asterisk (*).
    3. For pricing events (RFP), fill in your unit prices and totals in the Pricing/Line Items section.
    4. Upload any required attachments.
    5. Use the Message tab to ask clarifying questions before submitting.
    6. Click Submit Entire Response before the event deadline.

    ⚠️ You can save a draft at any time, but your response will not be received by Syngenta until you click Submit.

     

    Excel Upload

    You can download an Excel spreadsheet to select lots and enter your response offline.

    1. Follow steps above to reach the Lots selection screen.
    2. Click 'Download Content' to download the Excel spreadsheet.
    3. In Excel: declare your intention to respond, select lots, enter prices.
    4. Save the file and use Browse to upload it.
    5. Click 'Use Selected Lots' to complete the upload.
    6. Continue completing event content online and submit.

    ⚠️ Values in the Excel file will overwrite existing data in the system.

     

    Answering Prerequisites Questions

    Syngenta requires suppliers to complete Prerequisites Questions for certain events before gaining access.

    1. Click on the sourcing event to be directed to details page.
    2. Click 'Review Prerequisites'.
    3. Complete mandatory steps: accept Terms and answer Question 3.0.
    4. Click 'OK' to submit. Your request is sent to Syngenta for review.
    5. Upon approval, you receive an email notification.
    6. Click 'Select Lots' to view and confirm line items.

    ℹ️ Prerequisites can act as immediate access gates or require Syngenta review before granting access.

  • Messaging the sourcing team
    1. Open the sourcing event in SAP Business Network.
    2. Click on the Messages tab within the event screen.
    3. Click New Message to compose your question or comment.
    4. Attach any relevant documents if needed.
    5. You can also respond to messages directly from your email inbox.

    ℹ️ Messages marked as Public Q&A by Syngenta will be visible to all event participants for fairness and transparency.

  • Participating in an e-Auction

    Each auction format has specific rules. Expand the relevant guide below.

    ⚠️ Once the auction is live, bids cannot be withdrawn. Ensure your pricing is accurate before submitting.

     

    🔽 e-Auction (Reverse)

    Suppliers compete by submitting lower prices. The lowest valid bid wins.

    1. Click 'Click Here' in email and log in.
    2. Review Prerequisites, accept terms.
    3. Select Lots, confirm line items.
    4. Enter pre-bid/start price and Submit.
    5. Once live, monitor Rank, timer, and minimum bid decrement.
    6. Revise price, click 'Submit Current Lot', confirm.

     

    🚦 e-Auction (Reverse) — Traffic Light Bidding

    A variation with color-coded price feedback.

    • 🔴 Red — prices too high, may not be considered.
    • 🟡 Yellow — prices may or may not be considered.
    • 🟢 Green — prices will be considered in further negotiations.

     

    🔼 e-Auction (Forward)

    Suppliers compete by submitting higher prices. The highest valid bid wins.

    1. Access event via invitation email.
    2. Review Prerequisites, accept terms.
    3. Select Lots, confirm line items.
    4. Review initial/floor value and minimum bid increment.
    5. Enter price and click 'Submit Current Lot'.
    6. Revise prices upward as needed.

     

    🇯🇵 Japanese Reverse Auction

    The system automatically decrements the price at set intervals. Accept or exit at each price point.

    1. Access event and confirm lots.
    2. Monitor: time remaining, decrement value, current price.
    3. Click 'Submit Acceptance' to accept current price.

    ⚠️ Don't wait too long — prices keep decrementing automatically.

     

    🇯🇵 Japanese Forward Auction

    The system automatically increments the price. Accept or exit at each price point.

    1. Access event and confirm lots.
    2. Wait on preview screen until LIVE bidding starts.
    3. Monitor: time remaining, current price, bid increment.
    4. Click 'Submit Acceptance' to accept current price.

    ⚠️ If you do not submit acceptance, the auction ends for you.

     

    🇳🇱 Dutch Auction

    Price starts high and decreases automatically. First supplier to accept wins.

    1. Access event and confirm lots.
    2. Wait until LIVE bidding starts.
    3. Monitor: current price, decrement value, time to next adjustment.
    4. Click 'Submit Acceptance' when ready.

    ⚠️ Whoever accepts first ends the auction for ALL suppliers.

Frequently asked questions

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