Technical solutions
30/10/2008 08:07
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The European Commission
is launching an on-line survey to find out more about the actual
experience of businesses and public purchasers with electronic public
procurement ("e-procurement"). This will provide essential information
for an evaluation which is taking place on the effective up-take of
e-procurement across the EU.
In
particular the evaluation will assess how well the objectives of the
"Action Plan for the implementation of the legal framework for
electronic public procurement", adopted by the Commission in December
2004, have been achieved. Public procurement is a key sector of the EU
economy accounting for about 16% of GDP. Modernising and opening up
procurement markets across borders - including through the expansion of
e-procurement - is crucial to Europe's competitiveness and for creating
new opportunities for EU businesses. The deadline for responses is 18
December 2008.
 Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy said: "Well organised
electronic procurement can improve the business environment, save
businesses' and public purchasers' time and taxpayers' money. To make
this policy work, we need to know the views and experiences of those at
the sharp end public purchasers, businesses tendering for public
contracts, the departments in Member States responsible for transposing
and implementing EU legislation. I ask all organisations with an
interest in public procurement to respond to this survey."
The benefits of eProcurement do not stop at saving money. Traditional procurement systems can be difficult for potential bidders to access, while many may simply
be unaware of existing tendering opportunities. Making it easier to
obtain information and knowledge will benefit all businesses, but
particularly SMEs, which often lack the manpower to monitor the market.
Several Member States have already realised the high potential benefits
of e-procurement. However it is clear that there are still barriers to
be overcome if e-procurement is to fulfil its potential and hence the
Commission invites all interested parties to respond to this survey.
The findings will help provide the first systematic overview of
e-procurement in the EU and guide future EU action in this field.
Different questionnaires have been designed to ask specific questions
of businesses, public purchasers and the institutions responsible for
public procurement policy.
Source: http://www.publictechnology.net
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