Transparent public procurement contracts (BA0023)

Which public issue will this obligation address?

Public procurement contracts are a type of contract established to ensure the efficient use of public funds and to promote free market competition, serving as an instrument for the practical implementation of public procurement. The conclusion of a public procurement contract marks the beginning of a new phase in the procurement process (post-tender phase), during which abuses may also occur, negatively affecting the efficiency of the public procurement system. Negative economic effects, such as corruption or favouritism, are not necessarily linked to the procedures preceding the conclusion of the contract, but may also arise during the post-tender phase of public procurement.

Implementation of this measure will enhance transparency and strengthen accountability in the management of public funds in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

What is the obligation?

Make all data on concluded public procurement contracts publicly available through the public procurement portal (www.ejn.gov.ba). Enable the search of published public procurement contracts based on the parameters of the procurement procedure under which the contract was concluded, as well as on the content of the published contract.

The establishment of a module for publishing the register of public procurement contracts, with the ability to search by contract content, would ensure the availability of data on concluded contracts by the contracting authorities that concluded them, while also allowing for analysis of all concluded contracts across BiH, as well as statistical processing and contract monitoring.

How does the obligation contribute to resolving the public issue?

Publishing public procurement contracts will provide transparent insight into the implementation of procurement procedures and allow for monitoring their execution. This will facilitate the work of competent authorities, such as financial audit offices and, when necessary, prosecutors' offices and other law enforcement bodies, as well as non-governmental organisations, thereby reducing the risk of corruption in this area.

Why is this obligation relevant to the OGP values?

It enables transparency in the public sector regarding the use of public funds, which significantly contributes to strengthening integrity and accountability in the activities of public sector organisations.

Additional information

As part of the 3rd Key Strategic Objective of the Public Procurement Strategy 2024–2028 in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Official Gazette of BiH, 29/24), the following is set out: Public procurement is developing through further digitisation and introduction of modern tools. A specific objective and measure is foreseen: Development of a module for the publication of contracts, with a planned implementation deadline of Q2 2026.

Milestones:

Establishment of the legal framework. | 1 January 2025 – 31 December 2025
Implementation of a module for publishing public procurement contracts on the public procurement portal (www.ejn.gov.ba). | 1 April 2026 – 30 June 2026
Enabling the search of published public procurement contracts based on the parameters of the procurement procedure under which the contract was concluded, as well as the content of the published contract. | 1 April 2026 – 30 June 2026