Brussels, 24/10/2008 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has commissioned a survey from Ernst & Young that will run until 18 December 2008 to help in its assessment of application of the EU e-procurement action plan (see EUROPE 8872). Adopted in 2005, the action plan suggests a series of legal, technical and organisational measures for extending the award of public tender contracts electronically, thereby also helping facilitate cross-border bids. For the survey, economic operators are invited to fill in special questionnaires, which they can obtain by email from Ernst & Young: survey.eproc@it.ey.com. The outcome of the survey is expected to be published in December 2008 and the conclusions of the assessment of implementation of the e-procurement action plan in the spring of next year.
The Commission calculates that the spread of e-procurement and online invoicing would reduce the total cost of procurement by 5% and at least halve the procurement transaction costs. EU Directives on traditional procurement (2004/18/EC) and procurement in special sectors (2004/17/EC) came into force in 2006. They contain measures to encourage the use of e-procurements but do not require public authorities to ensure they are in a position to accept bids submitted online. (M.B. trans fl)