Evaluating the implementation of prequalification of civil engineering contractors

Abstract : This study seeks to evaluate the implementation of prequalification of contractors in South Africa, a case of Gauteng Province. The Problem statement being; problems associated with contractor procurement processes, which often affect projects success outcomes. A set of objectives are evaluated with regards to; challenges, benefits, efficiency of prequalification, identified most important criterion and evaluated if pre-qualification can possibly contribute in the delivery of civil engineering projects. A pilot study conducted to achieve the content validity of the questionnaire. The feedback from the respondents assists in refining the final questionnaire. The final questionnaire is prepared and distributed to the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) registered civil engineering contractors. The internal consistency of the research instrument items are examined based on Cronbach’s Alpha with overall coefficient value of 0.940 and greater than 0.700. The response rate is from a sample size of 74 contractors. It is also worth mentioning that 66% of contractors participated in the study have been previously involved in prequalification and 34% had not. A total of 85% of contractors who participated were based in Gauteng. Findings indicated that the contractor’s most rated challenge is project success or performance measures that differ from one client to another and therefore making it difficult to comply with all clients. The above challenge might be associated with the lack of having a universal prequalification system or model and eventually leading contractors to think that prequalification becomes an obstacle especially for growing contractors. Contractor’s views indicated that prequalification has benefits as they are pre-assessed which then minimizes the risk for contractors and clients; and subsequently helping contractors to identify areas of growth. Contractors still believe in the hard copy prequalification submission systems. Criteria of prequalification indicates that having capital to manage projects is very important with referenced records of previous completed civil engineering projects. The length of operation in the civil engineering industry is also a key criterion. Proper management of Health and Safety matters and compliance is an important attribute in the management of projects. Having registered engineers, qualified management in civil engineering, with in-house control systems all make operations of a contractor effective. Familiarity with local labour matters defined social economic criterion...M.Phil. (Engineering Management