Works contract management practice in the public sector in Bangladesh: a case study of LGED

Abstract

Contract management is one of the most important phases in construction projects and involves numerous tasks occurring before and after contract execution and issuance of Notification of Award (NOA). Furthermore, contract management involves making timely decisions, smooth and efficient flow of information and decisions to enable completion of the project as required by the contract documents, including review, supervision and monitoring of the construction project. Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) is one of the largest government organizations in Bangladesh who has the mended of both rural urban and small scale water resources infrastructure development programs and procurements of goods, works and services as a large scale. This case study is concerned with LGED officials, addressing the present practice of contract management in works procurement and its knowledge among themselves. The study summarizes that LGED officials have moderate understanding on contract management issues though some field level staffs have little knowledge of it in procurement process. Procurement system follows the all clauses which are mentioned in PPR-2008 and STD’s recommended by CPTU. Recently LGED published a draft Works Contract Management Manual to provide proper guidance under the same umbrella of its staffs. Adequate training on contract management plan for all stakeholders including procuring entities, contractors and beneficiaries is very important in order to increase knowledge. Finally, there is scope of further study about the issues in works procurement.