From Tendering to Governance: Exploring e-GP Implementation Barriers

Abstract

Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) has become a critical digital governance mechanism for enhancing transparency, accountability, efficiency, and competitiveness in public procurement. However, the effectiveness of e-procurement depends not only on technological implementation but also on institutional readiness, operational capacity, and supportive regulatory frameworks. This study investigates the implementation challenges of the e-GP system within the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) of Bangladesh and identifies strategies for improving procurement governance. A qualitative research approach was employed through Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) involving 206 Procurement Entity (PE) officers representing various procurement roles, including PE users, Tender Opening Committee (TOC) members, administrators, and Tender Evaluation Committee (TEC) members. The findings reveal that although e-GP has improved procurement digitalization, approximately 86% of respondents continue to experience challenges related to procurement time, operational processes, system functionality, and institutional procedures. Key challenges include lengthy tender evaluation processes, excessive documentation requirements, and delayed financial clearance, incomplete digitalization of evaluation activities, weak document verification, and coordination difficulties among procurement committees. The study also identifies governance challenges, including limited participation of small and medium contractors, and continued dependence on physical documentation. These findings indicate that digital procurement transformation requires more than technological adoption; it requires integrated institutional and governance reforms. The study recommends strengthening system reliability, automating procurement processes, improving effective banking integration, expanding user training, and developing competitive procurement mechanisms to transform e-GP into a comprehensive digital procurement governance system.