Computer supported contractor selection for public administration ventures

Ventures undertaken by public administration significantly contribute to development of economy. Such ventures are usually complex, so they require effective collaboration of a number of autonomous organizations. To face the challenge of efficient cooperation, public administration should adopt the model of Virtual Organizations (VO). A key phase in each VO life-cycle is selection of partners which in case of public administration takes a form of public auctions. In this paper a Collaborative Contractor Selection method, denoted C-CS, is proposed to support selection of contractors for a portfolio of public ventures. In the C-CS method a number of requirements are considered associated with contractor offer properties, contractor competences, and social relationships among them. The selection is performed step by step as successive ventures are performed. If justified, the selection is done in collaboration between administrative units and potential contractors. The C-CS method provides an opportunity for better computer support of public auctions leading to more efficient and effective realization of public administration ventures.