Challenges of consulting service procurement: a case study of ADB funded projects of LGED

Abstract

The procurement of consulting services plays a pivotal role in the successful implementation of development projects financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Bangladesh. Despite the existence of comprehensive procurement policies and regulations, the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) often encounters considerable challenges in ensuring timely and efficient recruitment of consultants. This study investigates the key challenges faced during the consulting service procurement process under ADB-funded projects of LGED, with an emphasis on identifying procedural bottlenecks and institutional constraints. Using both primary data collected through surveys of fifty procurement professionals and secondary data from selected ADB-assisted projects, the research reveals that delays frequently occur during the evaluation and approval stages by 90.48% and 285.37% respectively compared to the best practices described in national procurement rules which contributes largely towards the overall delay by 110.20% during the consultant selection process. Shortages of skilled personnel, limited institutional capacity, procedural complexities, and coordination gaps among stakeholders mainly contributed to this delay. Prolonged approval timelines from ADB and approving authorities further exacerbate these inefficiencies. The study concludes that enhancing staff capacity, simplifying approval mechanisms, adopting digital procurement systems, and improving coordination among stakeholders are critical to ensuring greater efficiency, accountability, and value for money in consultant recruitment. The findings provide practical recommendations for LGED, ADB, and national policymakers to streamline consulting service procurement and strengthen institutional performance in development projects.