Abstract:
The study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of framework agreement in public procurement, a
study of Mbeya City Council. This study examined the effectiveness of framework agreements in
public procurement by assessing their impact on various aspects of the procurement process. This
research employed descriptive survey research design. In this study, 50 respondents were selected
from population of 100 employees by using purposive and random sampling techniques. Primary
sources were used to collect data with the help of structured questionnaires with mainly closed ended
and open ended questions as well as from interviews. The study findings indicated that majority of
the respondents agreed on the application of framework agreement procedures in selection of
suppliers at MCC which implies that there is compliance to the established framework governing
public procurement activities at MCC. The study found that a larger proportion of the study
respondents agreeing on the application of standardized procedures in selecting supplier under
framework agreement, and gave an implication that fairness is involved are required by public
procurement guidelines. The study also revealed that supplier selection criteria applicable at MCC
influence the cost of procurement transaction and gives an implication that a degree of change in the
supplier selection criteria creates a change in the cost for procurement transactions. It was also found
that the respondents strongly agreed that delivery timing for goods and services under framework
agreement is affected by the criteria applicable in supplier selection at MCC, and depicted a closer
relationship between the strength of applicable criteria and the time for delivering goods and services.
As per findings, the researcher recommended that; Firstly, Mbeya City Council and other public
procuring entities need to dedicate maximum opportunities in providing appropriate training to
procurement staffs so that effective management of framework agreement contract could be made.
Secondly, The parliament of Tanzania together with other organs mandated at constructing various
policies relating to implementation of public procurement initiatives in public sector need to ensure
that clear policies are made in place to regulate an undertaking of framework agreements procedures
in Tanzania as well as ensuring that frequent reviews on respective policies are made in order to
cope with the time to time changes in the market conditions and legal framework at large. Third,
Future researchers must identify potential areas that could assist public procuring entities in securing
maximum advantages to be gained in running framework agreement procedure in public
procurement.
