E-readiness of construction contract forms and e-tendering software

Eadie et al. (2010a, 2010b) reported on a set of drivers and barriers to construction e-procurement which encompasses e-tendering. The study identified 20 drivers and 30 barriers to e-procurement. Legal issues were identified collectively as one of the most important barriers. Although Martin (2003, 2008) identified that the impact of e-procurement and e-tendering had not been as expected, he nevertheless indicated that e-tendering could improve the tender process. This paper reports on an investigation into the e-readiness of the four most popular forms of contract. It also considers the attempt of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) to promote e-procurement software as a standard for the private sector of the construction industry. The paper concludes that the NEC Form of Contract is the most e-ready followed by the JCT 2005 Form of Contract. It also establishes that there is still a considerable gap in achieving industry standard e-procurement software solutions.