Procurement contract Management and value for money: the case of Tanzania food and Drugs Authority

The research study explored the way effective procurement contract management can ensure that value for money is achieved by Tanzania food and Drugs Authority. The study aimed at identifying factors that led to poor management of procurement contracts at TFDA. It identified the way procurement contracts were solicited and managed to establish sources of procurement risks that hindered value for money from being achieved. Quantitative research design was used to conduct the study. Questionnaires, interviews, observation and documentary reviews were the tools used to generate data. The findings showed that procurement contracts were not properly managed as evidenced by problems in quality of deliveries, presence of the long lead-times and service interruption due to stock-out or late deliveries. It was concluded that procurement contract management was influenced by lack of capacity among procurement staff to handle procurement activities, which impairs achievement of value for money. The results have implications for management policy. The study recommends deployment of sufficient personnel in procurement contract management with qualification and experience to handle procurement contracts to ensure achievement of value for money. Training, seminars and refresher courses to equip the existing staff with new skills and knowledge in managing procurement contracts can be initiated now.