Monitoring Electronic Public Procurement in Mexico during the pandemic

https://doi.org/10.33110/cimexus200106

Abstract

This study seeks to identify whether, during the pandemic, state governments in Mexico increased their use of electronic or hybrid public bidding processes as a strategy to reduce physical presence in government offices. Therefore, it analyzes variations in public procurement procedures, using 2019 data as a baseline. The results show a marginal increase of 2.39% in the use of electronic and hybrid modalities, compared to a 4.86% increase in closed processes, such as direct awards and restricted invitations. Although some entities adopted digital procedures for the first time, the in-person model predominated at 77.12%. This demonstrates a slow transition toward digitalization, despite international recommendations and the exceptional conditions of the pandemic. The study contributes theoretically by highlighting the gap between ideal policies and their implementation; meanwhile, the findings underscore the need to implement more effective policies to promote digitalization, transparency, and modernization of public administration.