Ethics and unsuccessful bidding: a case study from a public entity in Brazil. (2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Martins, Flavio; Morilas, Luciana
• Is Part Of: Latin American journal of management for sustainable development. Volume 4:Number 2(2018)
• Page Start: 154
• Page End: 166
• Publication Date: 2018
• Subjects: bidding -- electronic reverse auction -- government -- efficiency -- e-procurement -- public administration principles -- procurement -- economy -- ethics -- public exchange -- Brazil; 338.9807
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2052-0336

Abstract

Bidding is a space likely to threaten the ethics of public administration. As an innovative form of bidding, the electronic reverse auction fosters ethics, economy and transparency. The University of São Paulo - USP, the biggest university in South America, solely and completely state funded, has the legal obligation to contract after bids and frequent uses the modality. Although its reported benefits are many, there are several negative results: the reverse auctions end up failed or deserted and can be revoked or nullified. This study identifies the main reasons for the unsuccess of reverse auctions at USP/Ribeirão Preto, within 2013-2016. After a documentary research in the electronic websites where the biddings are registered, the main factors found were the non-compliance of the descriptive and reference stipulated price. Failures can be harmful to both administrative principles and the public funds, and should be minimised to make state more efficient.