e-Government Procurement Handbook

Government agencies around the world have been using information technology (IT) and the internet to deliver government services and to access information electronically for several years, practices which are commonly referred to as e-government initiatives. For many governments, one of the more successful and applicable initiatives is the delivery of electronic procurement to enhance transparency, establish an open marketplace for procurement needs, and support the introduction of procurement reforms to better manage and monitor public procurement activities.

The development of electronic procurement systems has created a number of new options and methods for supporting the procurement processes of governments and for embracing the efficiencies and savings that can be realized. These electronic systems are commonly referred to as electronic government procurement (e-GP). This handbook does not advocate the adoption of one particular path for implementation of e-GP. Instead, it identifies key decision areas for e-GP implementation and attempts to provide the inputs required for decision making.