Abstract:
The construction industry plays an important role in Ethiopian economy, and is a significant contributor to the economic growth. However, several challenges have been recognized in relation to the development of the construction industry in the country. In line with this, public procurement process in Ethiopia is currently facing many problems that hinder the process from having effective and efficient result. This study therefore tried to assess the factors that affect procurement process in public building construction projects: A case of Arba Minch town, southern Ethiopia. Data for this study was obtained from primary source. Accordingly, the data was collected through interview and a well-structured questionnaire that was distributed to construction professionals from contracting companies, consultant offices, and the public sector offices. Of the 75 distributed questionnaires, 71 were received back which represents 94.67%. Frequency analysis was used to analyze the returned questionnaire data. The study showed that inappropriate project scope definition by client, selecting lowest bidder by avoiding technical score from further evaluation in the process, favoritism in providing influential information to bidders, inappropriate project packaging by client, setting subjective criterion on bid document by consultant and clients are some of the most influential process factors considered crucial by the respondents for bid evaluation process in public building project in Arba Minch town. As there exist notable problems in the procurement and management of public building projects in the country, this study provides supportive information in revealing areas of challenges that need serious attention by the public client organizations to enhance and improve their contractor selection processes in order to have successful completion of construction projects that would meet their requirements and increase their satisfaction levels.
