SMART eTSP – e-Tendering System Features Prototype through user-centric platform

Malaysia is a developing country that is progressing towards the digital transformation of its construction industry. This aligns with the goals of the 12th Malaysian Plan, which aims to enhance digitalisation in public administration. The Malaysian Public Works Department (PWD) has taken initiatives to digitise the procurement process through the implementation of an electronic tendering (e-tendering) system. PWD has developed and implemented its own e-tendering system which is known as JKR e-Tender (JET). The JET is designed to cover the tender process from tender advertisement to the submission of tender documents. The JET continues to evolve positively but requires significant improvements to achieve system maturity. Several areas for improvement have been identified such as system crashes, incomplete tendering process, insufficient user-friendly features, poor system quality and limitations in the exchange of information. This highlights the critical need for a more systematic and user-centric system design. Therefore, this study focuses on the development of a system features framework in e-tendering and visualize through prototype to address current limitations. It seeks to provide a comprehensive and standardised tendering processes, improve the system's usability, promote user-friendly features, and emphasise environmentally sustainable aspects. The guidance framework and prototype will assist the construction industry in implementing better system features and a well-structured e-tendering system.