An Evaluation of the Shortcomings in the Existing Contractors' Procurement Procedures in the Ugandan Roads Sector

Abstract

The success of a project is traditionally measured on time, cost and quality parameters. Most construction projects in Uganda have not performed well on these parameters. Experience has shown that it is when the project fails that implementers realize they should have engaged with the procurement process to strengthen it before embarking on the project. This study aimed at identifying critical shortcomings in the existing road contractors' procurement procedures and their impact on project performance in the Ugandan roads sector. A survey was conducted among construction sector professionals to get their perceptions on procurement-related shortcomings. Case studies of completed major road projects were considered to ascertain procurement shortcomings experienced. According to practitioners' perceptions, the highest-ranking shortcomings in order were: unethical bidders, lack of confidentiality, multiple overlapping audits based on procedures rather than impact, poor performing providers, delays in obtaining Government Solicitor General's clearance, integrity of the procurement system and process, malicious unsuccessful bidders and delays at getting no-objection from donors. From the case studies reviewed, the most prevalent occurrences in order were: significant increase in BOQ Quantities or Inaccurate Estimates, Design changes or inadequacies, Scope Changes, Claims reported, PAP Land compensation not finished in time, Inaccuracies in Bid documents or Inadequacies, Variation of prices or VO, Long Procurement Period, Contract Management inefficiencies or Queries at Implementation and Client decision delays. In terms of schedule performance, only 8.6% of the sampled projects were completed within the original planned schedule. Chi-square tests were performed to study the association between identified shortcomings in relation to cost and time performance. Design changes or inadequacies, Variation of prices or variation orders (VO), Scope changes and Claims reported were found to have significant association with project performance.