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Strategies for Enhancing Procurement Reforms:

Monitoring Results & Involvement of Civil Society: Bangladesh Case

Zafrul IslamLead Procurement Specialist

(Fiduciary Forum, NCC, VA; March 25, 2008)

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Session: Key Parts

Strategies in Monitoring Results for effective Reform

Monitoring: Procurement Management Information System (PROMIS)- “Supply Side”

Monitoring: Involvement of Civil Society- “Demand Side”

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Framework for Reform and Monitoring Results

Reforms: Design of a robust & sustainable package for

procurement reform considering the context (country). 1st reform package includes: nodal agency;

legislations; and capacity development 2nd reform package includes: institutionalizing capacity

development; strengthening monitoring; electronic procurement (e-GP); social accountability

Monitoring Results: Measurement of contribution of reform to improve

efficiency, transparency & accountability of the system.

Procurement management information system used by procuring entities (PROMIS)

Outcome and/or process monitoring by civil society

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Monitoring Results through MIS (PROMIS)(“supply side”- compliance based)

Developed a real-time centralized procurement performance monitoring system (PROMIS)

PROMIS uses a set of indicators to monitor results and performance of public procuring entities

PROMIS central server is at the proc. policy unit (CPTU)

Direct linkage of CPTU’s PROMIS with procuring entities through online (web-based) and off-line connectivity

Proc. Monitoring Coordinator (PMC) at procuring entity monitors its own performance while the system transfer relevant data to CPTU for country-wide monitoring

PROMIS is being enhanced to introduce e-procurement (e-GP) in phases through 2nd reform package

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PROMIS Key Indicators

Customized indicators based on OECD-DAC approach

Bidding opportunity Publishing contract awards (> specified threshold) Bidding time Bidders’ participation & responsiveness Procurement method Time for bid evaluation & approval Bidders’ Protests & resolution Contract variation Late payment Direct contracting/ sole source selection)

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Data Flow Diagram: CPTU & Procuring Entity

CPTU-MIS site

Database Server

Web ServerInternet

CPTU

Procuring Entities

1. Login to CPTU-MIS site

2. Online Data entry

3. Automated hourly download of data from CPTU-MIS site

4. Approval of Data and available online for reporting and view

MinistryGoB

IMED

5.1 Reports

5.2 Reports

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5.3 Reports

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Civil Society in Monitoring: (“demand side” intervention)

Key elements: Creating greater social awareness to demand best

value for public money & held government accountable for it

Engaging civil society through a long-term intervention in monitoring procurement process and outcomes

Building blocks: for social awareness Communication strategy Education program Behavior change Advocacy program

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Civil Society Monitoring Contd……

Building blocks: civil society engagement Engaging beneficiary/ civil society/ business and/or

media apex body

Public access to procurement related information

Technical training to media professionals

Establishing a government-contractors forum

Creation of formal civil society group for monitoring

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Civil Society Monitoring Contd……

Key developments: Government formed a public-private stakeholders

council (PPSC), headed by the Minister for Finance & Planning

PPSC has members from high govt. officials, key civil society groups, think-tank, business bodies, contractors associations

Formation of government-contractors forum is on the way

Communication strategy being developed Social awareness: anti-bribery billboard; music video,

road show, rallies, short plays, street drama Education: introducing social accountability

mechanism, training of selected NGOs on procurement Advocacy: users of public goods & services; “to do and

not to do” for officials, bidding community, and politicians

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Procurement Performance Comparators

Average Time Elapsed: IFB to Contract Award

CPAR (up to 1998) Sample Study (FY05)8% contract 4 months 39% contract 5 months21% contract 8 months 18% contract 8 months28% contract 12 months 34% contract 12 months43% contract > 12 months 9% contract > 12 months

Average Time Elapsed: Bid Opening to Contract Award

Cabinet Committee level approval : > 9 monthsMinistry level approval : > 7 months Department/ Agency level approval : > 5 months

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THANK YOU !!!!!

(zislam@worldbank.org; CPTU website: www.cptu.gov.bd)