If transparency is to be achieved, there must be one single platform so that procurement processes can be fully digital and access to information fully transparent.
EDITORIAL
An article on Nacion.com reports that "... The head of Digital Government, Alicia Avendaño affirmed that there are concerns about the apparent lack of interest of current government institutions over migrating public procurements to the Mer-Link system, promoted by the previous government. "
In Costa Rica the state purchasing system Mer-link facilitates getting guarantees of participation and compliance which must be used to support offers by companies in state tenders.
Currently 80% of purchases from around 111 government institutions are made through the Mer-Link electronic platform. "Currently, banks that participate in these processes have generated 1,500 electronic guarantees, for a total of ¢2.766 million ($4.97 million)."
Employers believe that a new and more efficient system is required in order to generate confidence in foreign trade.
The Information Technology System for Customs Control (known as Tic@), received strong criticism from business chambers, whose executives say that after 10 years of operation this computing platform is obsolete.
The Chamber of Industries of Costa Rica (ICRC), the Chamber of Commerce of Costa Rica (CCCR) and the Digital Government program agree on this point. Alonso Elizondo, executive director of the CCCR, says that more customs efficiency is needed to lower costs in the transit of goods.
Despite a direct order from the president, Costa Rican ministerial bureaucracy is still blocking a system which looks to eliminate corruption in public procurements.
The Ministry of Finance has not yet signed the decree establishing the mandatory use of Mer-Link in procurement processes, which could delay its implementation in January 2014.
Nacion.com reports: "Although the first version of the decree was received by the Ministry of Finance on 6 June, it has yet to be signed, a fact which will delay implementation of the system, according to the director of the Digital Government, Alicia Avendaño".
From January 2014, the Government of Costa Rica will use Merlink as its sole purchasing platform.
According to Alicia Avendaño, secretary to the Digital Government, the transition to a single electronic procurement system is in the phase of adjustment, and should be ready in July.
Elfinancierocr.com reports that "migration to Merlink is tied to a bill to strengthen the leadership of the Ministry of Finance in this regard.
Hardware that supports the IT system for Customs Control does not have sufficient capacity to manage the volume of information to be processed.
The Information Technology System for Customs Control (TIC @) has become "a victim of its own success."
Elfinancierocr.com reports that "The TIC @ system was born in 2005 as one of the spearheads in digitizing procedures that have spread to other branches of government affairs, even causing its main promoter Alicia Avendaño to be given the title Technical Secretariat of Digital Government. The amount of paperwork that manages has become a burden for its operation, which suffers much interruptions, to growing frustration of its users. "
In just a year and a half the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad has saved $ 5.6 million by making purchases through the Mer-Link system.
According to an article in Nacion.com "At present, the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) handles 80% of its expenses in this way and its expected that this figure will reach 100% this year. If this goal is met, the institution’s savings would increase to $30 million. "
Costa Rica's government has launched the use of digital signatures, but warns that the growth of its use will depend on its incorporation by the private sector.
The digital signature binds the identity of a person or team with a message or electronic document, to ensure authorship and integrity. The recognition of digital signatures provides security for electronic transactions, promoting e-commerce.
Using an electronic procurement system, Mer-Link, the government will promote a 'Dutch auction' or auction to buy at the lowest price.
Alicia Avendaño, director of the Technical Secretariat of Digital Government, told La Prensa Libre, that they will start with an online auction after the first week of September. This procedure has not been previously applied at the level of state purchases.
Costa Rican representatives from the production sector agree that lack of infrastructure at border crossings is causing delays.
The dissatisfaction is highest among industry representatives referring to customs in Peñas Blancas, where the trucks are taking between 12 and 36 hours to cross the border.
"Despite complaints, customs has reported a recovery in its revenues during the first half of the year, in comparison with the same periods in 2010 and 2009."
The Costa Rican government is looking for suppliers of digital information and control systems for public safety.
The executive director of the Technical Secretariat of Digital Government, Alicia Avendaño said that they are at the analysis and research stage to determine the solution that will meet all requirements.
The official announced that they hope to have the right project within three months.
The Mer-link system will guarantee the necessary participation and compliance in public bidding.
The new method will come into operation on January 24 with Banco Nacional , BCT, Lafise, Cathay, Promérica and Improsa as well as the National Insurance Institute.
Alicia Avendaño, Director of the Technical Department of the Digital Government, told La Nacion: "...