Description:
Transport infrastructure is important
for economic growth. In Nepal, about 20 percent of rural
residents have to spend more than 3 hours to go to the
nearest marketplace or agriculture center. Public
procurement is an important policy instrument to use
resources wisely and efficiently. This paper analyzes a
series of policy questions, from procurement design to
contract management and project quality assurance. The paper
finds that the competition effect is significant. To enhance
competition, bidding documents can be distributed free of
charge on a website. The bid preparation period can be
extended. Security issues are also found to be particularly
important to avoid unnecessary cost overruns and project
delays. Heavy rainfall and the bidders' low-balling
strategy are identified as other factors of project delays.
The quality of roads would deteriorate with not only
security incidence but also time, precipitation and traffic volume.