What is electronic public procurement?

Come, let's talk clearly: electronic public procurement, that roll that many call e-processing basically means that public institutions no longer walk with papers and stamps, but that the whole process of buying and tender things to the digital world is passed. Since they publish the tender until the contract is signed, everything goes online. And yes, today it is theirs so that the procedures are not eternal, there are less trouble, and, incidentally, a little money will be saved. Transparency and efficiency, they say. Well, at least in theory.

And how is the matter going? Well, through digital platforms where those who buy and those who sell can speak, present offers, check who won, and even control whether the contract is fulfilled or not. All sure, all transparent ... or so they promise.

The truth is that more and more public countries and organizations are climbing to this train. Not that they have much choice, the truth. The advantages are quite juicy: less expected, less mistakes of those of "I was wrong with paper", more offers to choose from and, above all, more clarity in the processes. Come on, who wants to cheat has it more difficult (although they always come out creative, you know how this is).

Of course, the basic rules do not change much about those of a lifetime. The difference is that now everything goes digital. Ah, and beware of the law, that each country has its own. In the European Union, for example, there is a 2014 directive that leaves everything quite clear about how electronic public procurement should be. It is not that it is beach reading, but you have to take it into account.

For companies that want to catch public contracts, the change may sound like a mess, but deep down. There are more business opportunities, you will spend less on paperwork and, if you organize well, everything goes faster. Of course, do not perform crazy: learn to use the platform, do some course (you will not kill you), have the papers in digital and make sure that everything technical and legal is in order before sending your offer. That the dramas then come.

Anyway, that electronic public procurement is not only modernity by modernity. It can really facilitate life both public bodies and companies. Although, of course, it is not magic: it is time to change the chip and train people so that they do not miss. If it is done well, the advantages are a win-win.