Staff Correspondent

The government is set to launch a new project to fully digitise and reform the country's public procurement system.

The five-year project, titled “Procurement Modernisation to Improve Public Service Delivery (PMIPSD)” envisioned the use of advanced technology and capacity development, according to official documents seen by UNB.

The ambitious project, estimated to cost Tk 551.97 crore, will be implemented from July 2025 to June 2030 by the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Department (IMED), with the Bangladesh Public Procurement Authority (BPPA) as the implementing agency.

Of the total cost, Tk 432.90 crore will come as project loan from the World Bank, while Tk 119.07 crore will be funded by the government.

According to official documents, the project’s main objective is to make the e-Government Procurement (e-GP) platform the exclusive system for all public procurement activities in the country, ensuring transparency, efficiency and accountability.

The government wants make it mandatory to process all government procurement activities in the e-GP system, develop a plan for sustainable operations and future maintenance by upgrading the hardware and software of BPPA’s data center to enhance the functionality of e-GP.

The aim of the government is to establish a secure, real-time and modern data analytics capability using emerging technologies such as Open Contracting Data Standards (OCDS), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning and Develop a medium-term capacity building strategy, including contract management, for all levels of procurement stakeholders, which will improve the management of the public procurement process;

It will develop new standard specifications for commonly used products to facilitate updating framework contracts, and enhance the need-based usability of existing Standard Tender Documents (STDs) and develop emergency public procurement procedures in times of natural disasters or health crises along with Develop and implement a five-year prospective action plan for BPPA to transform the CPTU into a fully operational authority.

The initiative follows the successful implementation of the Digitising Implementation Monitoring and Public Procurement Project (DIMAPPP) since 2017.

Key goals of the PMIPSD include upgrading BPPA’s data centre with advanced hardware and software, integrating artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and Open Contracting Data Standards (OCDS) for secure real-time data analytics, and developing emergency procurement procedures for crisis response.

In addition, the project aims to establish a medium-term capacity building strategy focusing on procurement contract management, set new product standards for commonly used items, and enhance the usability of existing Standard Tender Documents (STDs).

The activities under the project included establishing a modern e-GP data centre, Incorporating key modules like Contract Management System (CMS), e-Payment, and e-Signature into the e-GP platform, launching a new online training platform for procurement stakeholders, and Developing Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) processes.

Officials noted that the BPPA currently operates two data centres—one at its headquarters in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, and another at the National Data Center of the ICT Division. The BPPA-based center, established in 2018, needs an upgrade for better agility, broader service coverage, and stronger cybersecurity protections.

Launched in 2011, the e-GP platform has become a vital tool in the government’s effort to digitise procurement. It covers the entire procurement cycle—from tender preparation and publication to evaluation, award, and contract management. The system has enhanced transparency and competition in public procurement while reducing administrative delays.

The government envisions the e-GP platform as a cornerstone for achieving sustainable public procurement and improving overall service delivery to citizens through efficient use of public resources, say the documents.