Developments in E-Commerce

Considerable progress has been made in the development and use of

e-procurement over the past number of years.

The amending procurement directives for the public sector (DIR 97/52/EC) and for utilities (DIR 98/4/EC) both made it possible for Member States to introduce e-tendering under specified conditions.

Further to these changes, tendering is carried out by electronic means, on condition that:

  1. each tender contains all the information necessary for evaluation
  2. full confidentiality will be maintained pending tender evaluation
  3. where the contracting entity requires it, that tenders may be confirmed as soon as possible in writing or by dispatch of a certified copy
  4. tenders may be opened only after the time limit for submission has expired

Utilities in Ireland are now entitled to operate e-tendering on the latter basis.

A number of successful tender processes have now been carried out.

It is expected that all of the Irish public sectors will move in this direction.

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