Diagnosis and automated analysis of public procurement

Abstract

Public procurement accounts for approximately 20% of Spain’s GDP, positioning it as a strategic tool to promote a more sustainable economic model. However, the magnitude and heterogeneity of data available on the Public Sector Procurement Platform hinder systematic analysis. This study presents the design and validation of a modular tool, developed using open-source software, that automates the downloading and analysis of public tenders, enabling large-scale quantitative studies on the use of sustainability criteria. The tool comprises two independent yet complementary modules: one for data extraction and another for visual analysis through interactive maps, filters, and charts. User manuals are also provided to ensure accessibility. The tool’s applicability has been tested through a case study focused on the furniture sector (2018-2023), processing over 21,000 tenders. The results reveal a high concentration of spending in large provinces, yet a relatively homogeneous per capita expenditure across regions. The tool proves to be effective, flexible, and replicable, with the capacity to support data-driven diagnosis of public procurement patterns and foster the integration of environmental and social criteria into tendering processes. © 2025, Asociación Española de Dirección e Ingeniería de Proyectos (AEIPRO). All rights reserved.