Framework contracts management and procurement performance of higher institutions of learning: A case study of Makerere university business school

Abstract

The sought to examine the effect of framework contract management on procurement performance in Institutions of Higher learning and this study was carried out at MUBS.The objectives of the study were to; establish the extent to which planning for call-off orders affects procurement performance, examine how implementation of framework contracts influences procurement performance, assess the effect of framework contracts monitoring and evaluation on procurement performance at MUBS. A detailed review of literature on framework contracts and procurement performance was done. A case study research design was adopted for this study. 65 respondents were selected using stratified and purposive sampling techniques from Management and Staff of MUBS and participated in the study. These were contacted by use of questionnaires and interview guides. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented by use of tables, graphs and descriptive statements. Findings revealed that framework contracts involve pre-framework phase of Identify the needs, preparing bid documents, advertising, issuing receiving and opening bids, bid evaluations and awarding the contract to the selected supplier (s). The relationship between call off order planning and procurement performance of MUBS is statistically significant since .000 is less than 0.05(95% confidence level). Procurement Performance (Pearson (r) = .4 76**) sig value P(value) P = 0.021 being less than 0.05=000, N is the sample size (61).While implementation of framework contracts was influenced by funding, terms and conditions in the special conditions of the contract, Top management decisions, skills and competencies of contract managers, costs involved and records related to the contract execution. The results in table 4.12 show that there is a positive relationship between contracts implementation and procurement performance of Makerere University Business School because the two variables are moving in the same direction (Pearson (r) = .576**) sig value P (value) P < 0.05=000, N is the sample size (61) with a sig value .000 meaning that there is a relationship between contracts implementation and procurement performance of Makerere University Business School. To a large extent the procurement performance was still low at MUBS and faced by human resource factors, social, managerial, planning, technology and political factors and the level of funding provided to the institution. there is an effect on Framework Contracts monitoring on Procurement performance of MUBS (r = .68; p = 0.00 < 0.05). The study results therefore show that the Framework Contracts monitoring has a positive effect on Procurement performance though the effect is not significant. Since the Pearson correlation coefficient 0.68 is significant at 0.000 being less than 0.05(alpha level). Basing on the study results obtained using ANOV A, the study concludes that framework contracts greatly influence procurement performance, among other factors. Recommendations of the study included the need for organizations to train staff appointed as framework contract managers, have a procurement manual to refer to when implementing framework contracts, seek accreditation for use of direct procurements in acquiring air ticket services, kitchen & dinning services and small businesses can instead subcontract, MUBS may increase the range of items to be acquired under framework. Also enhance and support procurement research related to framework contract and minimize undue political influence which was affecting procurement performance.