Competitive tendering. An effective tool in ensuring value for money in public sector

This research report was carried out on the topic, “competitive tendering as an effective tool in ensuring value for money in public sector procurement’’. The main objective for this study was to examine how competitive tendering could be used as an effective tool to achieve value for money in public sector procurement at the Ahanta West District Assembly. The researcher administered twenty (20) questionnaires to some selected departments in the organization, specifically the procurement unit, the stores department, the accounting department and then the engineering department. The researcher used purposive sampling as a technique to gather ample information for this work. By purposive sampling, the researcher targeted those departments within the organization whose daily activities have direct bearing on procurement. Information gathered were analyzed critically and presented in the form of tables which is readily understandable. It was found out from the analyses that the Ahanta West District Assembly uses the competitive tendering methods in awarding most of their contracts thereby procuring goods, works and services at affordable and competitive prices. However the major problem identified was that, the processes involved are seen to be complex more especially for some contractors and those employees who have little knowledge in procurement when it comes to works and also the problem of political interference .The researcher finally recommended that series of workshops and seminars should be organized for both procurement officers especially new ones who have little knowledge in practical procurement when it comes to works and potential contractors so that they will have more insight into what goes into the preparations or processing of tender documents and lastly the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) should institute measures to monitor the adherence to the public procurement Act 663 in all public institutions.