A study of procurement practices in Social Safety Net Projects of The Department of Social Services (DSS) under the Ministry of Social Welfare (MSW), Bangladesh

Abstract

We know, the Procurement Act, 2006 and the Public Procurement Rules, 2008 has pre-defined intrinsic standards of ensuring good governance and value for money in public procurement. The Parliament and the Government are regularly updating the Act and Rules. So, all the Agencies of Bangladesh using public fund must have to abide by the above-mentioned Act and rules. The Central Procurement Technical Unit (CPTU) is monitoring the compliance of the said Act and Rules in the light of 45 predestined KPIs. We know, more than 80% of ADP budget in The Department of Social Services (DSS) is usually allocation for procurement activities. Which are believed to be controlled by PPR, 2008. Thus, it seems to be a good consideration to focus on the compliance issues of PPR, 2008 in its procurement activities in development projects. The main objectives of the present study were to find out the degree of compliance of PPR, 2008 by DSS. Key findings of these findings have been compared and evaluated which helped to draw important conclusion of the study. The study found an obedience to the rules of PPR, 2008 by the DSS in development projects. The Department is carrying out most of the compliance related KPIs in a good manner. But it was expected that DSS would practice PPR, 2008 entirely. For further advancement of the compliance of PPR, 2008 in DSS capacity building, creating a suitable environment and practice of electronic procurements (e-GP) are very much desirable.