A qualitative step from e-communication to e-procurement: the Estonian e-procurement model

Introduction:

In recent years, the topic of electronic public procurement has been in the centre of attention, mostly in the light of the duty to transfer to fully electronic procurement procedures introduced under the 2014 public procurement directives. While the inherent positive notions accompanying such transfer are evident, the potential for such benefits and purposes usually credited to electronic mode of procurement have been subject to some critical approach as well. Clearly, resorting to electronic communication, publication and record keeping cannot be avoided in this day and age in most areas of life, including the field of public procurement.

However, as several Member States are still reported to show insufficient progress in this area, estimation of the possibilities as well as the challenges associated with different systems of e-procurement is an equally logical step. The Estonian model of e-procurement might hopefully serve as one of possible examples.