Abstract:
Procurement functions in both public and private entities aim at achieving value for
money through the use of best procurement practices and methods that improve
performance and ensure Organisation efficiency. Whichever procurement method is
used, it must identify the most economically advantageous tenders and authorities must
still comply with general principles of equal treatment, transparency, nondiscrimination and competition. It is against this background that this study sought to
assess the impact of competitive tendering on performance of procurement using a
case of Moyo District Local Government. It specifically sought to examine the effect
tender advertisement, bid evaluation, transparency, and fair tendering procedures had
on performance of procurement. Case study design was adopted with a base sample of
80 respondents drawn using simple random and purposive sampling techniques. Selfadministered questionnaires and documentary review were used for collecting data
related to the specific objectives. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the
relationship between the variables. The study found that in effect of tender
advertisement on performance of procurement, access to several suppliers in a short
time was significant at β=0.680, p<0.05). In effect of bid evaluation on performance of
procurement, approved criteria (β=0.249, p<0.05) and document compliance (β=0.293,
p<0.05) were significant. In influence of transparency on performance of procurement,
publication of procurement plans (β=0.258, p<0.05), access to key procurement
information (β=0.193, p<0.05) and open communication (β=0.169, p<0.05) were
significant. In role of fair tendering procedure on performance, equal opportunity
(β=0.395, p<0.05) and bidder inclusiveness (β=0.565, p<0.05) were significant. The
study concluded that competitive tendering influences performance of procurement
and thus gave a number of recommendations to MDLG including embracing electronic
advertisement through government procurement portals to reduce costs and access
several suppliers, conducting ethics and integrity trainings to members involved in the
procurement process, provision of whistleblowing procedures and measures for
protecting whistleblowers, and provision of timely and sufficient procurement
information through publications. The study also recommended further studies on
other procurement methods to determine their influence on performance of
procurement.