A feasibility study for the development of an automation tender processes : case of KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works

Abstract

The standard operation procedure provides an organized foundation for the organization's infrastructure supply and maintenance. This framework, which is broken down into phases, includes processes, methods, and procedures that are methodical, regulated, consistent, unified, and readily auditable. This study aims to investigate factors that militate against tendering processes, with the view of developing an automation system of tendering processes at the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Public Works (DPW), South Africa (SA). The sample size consists of architects (50), quantity surveyors (50), contractors (100) and cconstruction managers (100) that were selected using the convenient sampling technique due to the small nature of the study. The data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics. Findings of the study include the occurrence of corruption; and political and unethical practices as the factors causing poor tendering at KZN DPW. This results in time and cost increases. Based on these, the study developed an app to automate the processes of tendering at the processes at KZN DPW, SA. The study also finds that benefit accrues from automated tendering, which are reduction in corruption and affords transparency. The study recommends the adoption of the app developed for tendering practices the procurement of projects at KZN DPW, SA.