Nowadays, computerization is making itself visible in various aspects of an individual's life, making it easier and more perfect. An area where this process has made a significant impact in recent times is public procurement. This is why the term "digitalization of public procurement" has become so common. These days, it is identified primarily through electronic communication between the participants in a procedure (contracting authorities and contractors) and also includes processes related to the automatic processing and transfer of information. The following analysis is devoted to identifying those aspects of public procurement in which the process of automation is evident and, on this basis, making an appropriate assessment of its degree of progress. The aim of the article is also to distinguish the legal and non-legal limits to its occurrence and development.

Covering the process of computerization of individual stages of the procedure related to the awarding of a contract for the provision of services, supplies, construction work is identified with the issue of electronization of public orders. It has been recommended for many years and nowadays it is the subject of keen interest of not only law theorists and practitioners, but above all of public entities and entrepreneurs forming respectively contracting parties and contractors in public procurement procedures. The elements used in the process of defining public procurement electronically, which are specific to the computerization process and are primarily related to the admissibility of electronic transmission of certain documents and information, go beyond the scope of the stage related to the award of a contract. The aim of this article is a detailed definition of these elements of the process and the legitimacy of their interpretation as manifestations of public procurement electronization.

Transparency is one of the major rules in the public auctions. Its presence enables the concerned to perform supervising actions as part of social control. It consists in fulfilling publishing and information duties of an ordering entity and also encompasses availability of the tender documents, including a protocol and a public procurement contract. This paper is aimed at establishing the rules of making the contents of contract available and its meaning in the scope of social controlling.

Nowadays, there is no field where modern — far from traditional (paper) — electronic methods of collecting, storing and transmitting data, information and documents would not enter. In so-called electronic communication between various entities, technical solutions play a significant role, as well as ICT devices and software tools referred to in the content of the Act of 18 July 2002 on the provision of electronic services. Electronic means of communication, as referred to above, are also used in proceedings to award a contract for the execution of construction work, delivery or a specific service. The aim of this paper is to determine the specific role and significance of electronic communication means in public procurement procedures.