Force Account Method Usage and Procurement Process Compliance in Secondary School Construction Projects in Tanzania.

Abstract

Force account procurement method usage by public entities is very essential in improving the performance of Local Government Authorities’ construction projects as it reduces the costs of various projects through effective and efficient utilization of resources. Despite the benefits obtained from the use of force accounts by procuring entities still, there are challenges facing its implementation in terms of value for money. The study guided by Resource-based Theory. A Cross-sectional survey design employed. Simple random sampling used to select a sample of 116 secondary schools using force account as the method of procurement. Primary data was collected using administered structured questionnaire and interview guide, while secondary data collected through a documentary review. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to compute percentages means of respondents. Inferential statistics analysis carried out using Multiple Regression. Thematic analysis adopted for qualitative data analysis using NVivo. The findings show that force accounting usage has a positive significant effect on procurement process compliance. The challenges facing secondary schools using force account in construction include lack of qualified personnel to manage such projects, failure in achieving the intended quality, delay in delivery of item, human resource inexperience to run and manage huge construction projects, ineffective record keeping, poor supervision and top management interference. Therefore, the study recommends that capacity building training to be provided to all force account users, there should be a maximum threshold amount for force account usage, close supervision of force account projects is very essential, competent managers, project implementation teams, or supervisors must be selected based on profession, expertise, and experience in a particular type of project. Procuring Entities to enforce professionalism and ethical practices in procurement projects and ensure all procurement standards such as inspection of ordered items, record keeping are adhered as per the procurement governing law and guidelines.