Assessment of tender evaluation factors and procurement practices in public firms in Tanzania

This study assessed effectiveness of Tender Evaluation Factors in Ensuring Right Procurement. Specifically, the study sought to determine evaluation procedures used in tendering at EPZA, tender evaluation before award to the procurement contract, assessment of evaluation committee recommendation and lastly to determine effects of poor evaluated tenders to flow of materials and service provision to the public. This study was conducted in Dar es Salaam. Data were collected using interview, observations, questionnaire and documentary review. Both purposive sampling and Simple Random Sampling procedures were used. A sample of 28 respondents was used. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis. Findings revealed that majority of respondents were unaware of the tendering procurement process especially evaluation at EPZA. Evaluation criteria were said at times to cause poor responsiveness of suppliers and service providers. Decisions of the evaluation committee were acceptable to reduce rejection that might be from selected poor suppliers. It is recommended that EPZA have to struggle to train its workers so as to make them aware and comply with given guidelines, The PMU staff shall be aware of the prevailing situation. Tender board members, evaluation committee and the PMU shall both have enough knowledge on procurement guidelines. EPZA should put its efforts to improve employees’ awareness on aspect new thing and improve their performance.