Tags
Framework contracting, procurement cycle, Public Procurement Oversight Authority, public procurement process
I had not heard of many public entities in Kenya using framework contracts until as reccent as yesterday. Its actually not common at all though it is one proven way of hastening the procurement cycle for your organisation. Better still, it is already approved by the Public Procurement Oversight Authority who even provide the guidelines online for free. When looking to enter into framework contracts, the public entity would advertise for tendering for multi year contracts, most commonly 2 years. Within those 2 years the supplier is tied to providing deliveries within the contractual distribution or delivery schedule.
I also realised that at times the supplier is tied into the same price for the whole 2 years, but in other cases there are provisions made for adjusting the prices. I guess with the way the Kenyan shilling has weakened, this would be a point at which a supplier demands help to readjust pricing.
This sort of contracting though is more ideal for organisations that a buying a lot of the same thing year in year out, such as medical services industry, common supplies or even hospitality industry. Given how long the procurement cycle can take, ordinarily, no sooner has the supplier delivered than you need to begin a new procurement cycle. Aaaarrghh i can feel the frustration especially since the public procurement process can take several months.
Framework contracting shall become more common with time!