Public procurement of technological services in Spain experienced a year of steady growth in 2024, surpassing €1.3 billion in tenders for technical support, application maintenance, and specialized assistance. A report from the platform TendersTool (TIC Awards) highlights this rebound within the framework of the Digitalization Plan for Public Administrations 2021-2025, which is allocated €3.165 billion.
The plan represents the most ambitious modernization roadmap in the past decade. Of its budget, at least €970 million is designated for autonomous communities and local entities, ensuring that digitalization extends beyond the major ministries to reach municipalities, provincial councils, and regional governments.
A balanced and decentralized market
One of the report’s key insights is the distribution of the market. Rather than being concentrated at a single administrative level, tenders are fairly distributed:
- 35% in local organizations.
- 34% in autonomous administrations.
- 31% in the General State Administration.
This structure demonstrates that the demand for IT services is cross-cutting, with digital transformation having matured across all levels of government. Tools like the Citizen Folder application, the Cloud Services Strategy for Public Administrations, and the State Cybersecurity Operations Center exemplify ongoing modernization permeating the entire public sector.
Seasonality and budget calendar
Analysis of the bidding calendar reveals a clear seasonal pattern:
- Calls start increasing in January.
- Drop sharply in August.
- Peak in October, coinciding with the second half of the budget cycle.
This behavior reflects administrative logic: many projects are approved mid-year and executed in autumn, when support and maintenance services are contracted to ensure the deployment of new systems.
Economically, March was the month with the highest tender volume, exceeding €210 million, while October and November both surpassed €150 million. Conversely, May and August tend to be the slowest months. July is illustrative: despite a high number of tenders, the total economic volume is moderate, indicating a mix of small, recurring contracts alongside large modernization projects.
What’s contracted and who leads
In terms of service types, the distribution is as follows:
- Technical support: over €445 million.
- Application maintenance.
- Specialized technical assistance.
- Hardware and systems maintenance.
Key contracting entities include:
- The Andalusian Digital Agency.
- ADIF (Railway Infrastructure Administrator).
- SANDETEL (Andalusian Society for Telecommunications Development).
Despite the presence of these major players, the report confirms that few entities handle significant volumes, indicating a broad and fragmented market.
The General State Administration prioritized contracts related to hardware and systems maintenance, while local entities focused on operational technical assistance tailored to their day-to-day needs.
Perspectives: continued growth expected
With European and national funds still underway, all signs point to sustained growth in the procurement of managed IT services. Forecasts suggest that 2025 and 2026 will continue this upward trend, particularly in:
- Cloud services for administrations.
- Cybersecurity (SOC, monitoring, attack protection).
- Predictive and intelligent infrastructure maintenance.
- Specialized assistance in AI and process automation.
The Digitalization Plan has already placed Spain in fifth position in Europe for digital public services according to the DESI index. If the current contracting pace continues, Spain could consolidate its leadership in e-government and become a reference for accessible, secure, and efficient digital services.