Can a bidding document be sent directly via an Internet email provider?

The decree concerning the dematerialisation of solicitations does not explicitly forbid the dispatch of bidding documents via an Internet email provider. It is therefore possible for a purchasing agency to send bidding documents as attachments to an email. However, equality of treatment of potential candidates must be guaranteed.

The solution adopted for the "ixarm.com" and "achats.defense.gouv.fr" portals is more secure. Firstly it enables reliable identification of candidates who have actually downloaded bidding documents (the Internet email receipt system is not particularly advanced or reliable) and, secondly, it minimises the risk of interception of bidding documents by third party candidates whose request to submit a bid has been rejected.