The Role of Procurement Processes on the effectiveness of Public Procurement System in Tanzania

The study was triggered by the fact that the government has made number of efforts in addressing weaknesses in the public procurement process. However there still complaints that public procurement processes are characterized by delays, poor quality and non cost effective delivery. This study sought to analyze procurement processes in achieving effectiveness of the public procurement system. The study focused on procuring entities based in Dar es Salaam due to budget constraints and existence of major procuring entities in terms of procurement volume. Explanatory research design was used to analyse the procurement proceses. The study used structured questionnaires and interviews as primary tools for data collection. A total of 119 respondents out of the expected 155 respondents returned the survey instruments. The study revealed that procuring entities do not conduct market survey for establishing cost estimates, inadequate users cooperation with PMU staff and poor solicitation documents due to inadequate technical specifications, schedule of requirements, and drawings and poor terms and conditions of contract. The weak evaluation critieria and inadequate tender evaluations, and delays in contract awards are hampering efficient procurement process which results to ineffective procurement system. Furthermore weak controls in procurement contracts for payments to delivery of substandard goods or services and delays of due payments to suppliers or contractors and generally poor contract management were noted. The study recommends that procuring entities should conduct market survey for cost estimates of major procurements and enhance cooperation between User Departmemnts and PMU staff