Electronic Means in Public Procurement

Electronic means in public procurement are procurement platforms and communication channels for e-procurement. Mandatory above the EU thresholds in AT and DE. Governed by Art. 22 Directive 2014/24/EU.

Definition: In public procurement, electronic means are all devices and software for electronic data processing and storage used for the transmission and receipt of information in the context of a procurement procedure by remote data transmission, in accordance with Art. 22 Directive 2014/24/EU, § 9 VgV, and § 58 BVergG 2018.

Last updated: January 2026 · Legal basis: Art. 22 Directive 2014/24/EU; §§ 9–11 VgV; § 58 BVergG 2018

What are electronic means in public procurement?

In public procurement, electronic means refer to the technical infrastructure and communication channels via which contracting authorities and bidders exchange information and submit documents during a procurement procedure. This includes in particular procurement platforms, electronic bidder databases, email, as well as electronic signatures and encryption methods.

The obligation to use electronic means above the EU thresholds was introduced by Directive 2014/24/EU and transposed in Germany through VgV and in Austria through the BVergG 2018.

Significance in the procurement procedure

The mandatory use of electronic means serves the transparency, efficiency, and audit-proof integrity of the procurement procedure and is compulsory above the EU thresholds.

Specific requirements include:

Notice – EU-wide notices must be published via the electronic system SIMAP/TED (Tenders Electronic Daily); in Austria via the Bundesbeschaffung GmbH (BBG) and the Austrian procurement portal
Procurement documents – Must be accessible to bidders free of charge and without restriction via electronic means from the date of the notice (§ 29 VgV; Art. 53 Directive 2014/24/EU)
Communication – All communication between contracting authority and bidder (bidder questions, answers, bidder information) must in principle be conducted electronically (§ 9 VgV)
Bid transmission – Bids must be submitted electronically; the platform must ensure the integrity and confidentiality of bids until opening
Security requirements – Encryption until the opening date, evidence of the time of receipt, qualified electronic signature for certain documents

Platforms in Germany

Federal authorities use the federal procurement platform (DTVP, evergabe.de, Vergabemarktplatz) as well as the central procurement platform of the procurement offices. Federal states and municipalities operate their own platforms (e.g. vergabe.nrw, ELVIS in Bavaria).

Platforms in Austria

In Austria, e-procurement is conducted via the Ankündigungsblatt (WKO) portal, the Bundesbeschaffung GmbH (BBG), and private procurement platforms. Electronic bid transmission is mandatory from a contract value of EUR 100,000 for supplies/services and EUR 500,000 for construction works.

Related terms

Last updated: January 2026 All information provided without guarantee. For legally binding advice, please consult a law firm specialising in public procurement law.