Challenges associated with tender documentation during contract management on public sector projects

Public sector funds are often wasted through mismanagement of projects and unethical practices. This study investigates challenges associated with tender documentation during contract management which make public sector projects susceptible to mismanagement of funds and how to mitigate such. An empirical study conducted through a case study approach used documents and interviews. Both of these were purposively selected and included school building projects and professional service providers and contractors, with hands-on experience. Findings include that; relatively inexperienced officials were in charge of producing most tender documentation, impacting the overall cost and time overruns. Further, mismanagement of project management areas and unethical practices compounded wasteful expenditure on the projects. The study concludes that producing quality tender documents is likely to reduce fruitless expenditure. It recommends that adequate technical expertise be involved in preparing especially multi-million Rand tender documentation for enhanced compliance and effective utilization of public project funds.