An Analysis of Appropriate Procurement Method for Delivery of Quality Public Buildings: The Case of Constituency Offices

Abstract

The success of a building project is significantly influenced by the procurement and tendering process. Understanding construction procurement and tendering processes is crucial to ensuring that projects are completed on schedule, with high-quality materials, and within the projected budget. With the emphasis on the decentralization policy, constituency offices become a hub of development in the constituency. Zambia has 156 constituencies of which less than 30 percent have been constructed. This study endeavors to identify the appropriate procurement method for the construction of the remaining 111 constituency offices in Zambia. The primary focus is on achieving predefined timelines, cost efficiency, and the desired quality standards. Both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods, such as questionnaires, observation checklists and interviews were utilized. The study's findings underscore a robust positive correlation between different procurement methods and the quality of constituency offices. Study findings revealed that, open tendering has the highest impact on the quality of constituency offices followed by public-private partnerships and procurement from other public entities. Though open tendering was found to be the appropriate procurement method for construction of constituency offices, it is recommended to diversify procurement methods in the management of constituency offices, with a strong emphasis on transparency and accountability in procurement processes. Additionally, involving constituents and stakeholders in procurement decision-making processes is crucial for fostering public trust and ensuring efficient resource allocation.