An Examination into the Effectiveness and Perception of Contractor Prequalification in PPP/PFI Projects (2013)

Contractor prequalification has been described as a phase that requires key decision, which influences the development and success of any construction project. Research has been carried out on contractor prequalification and some sets of pre-qualification criteria. This research discusses the wide range of different contractor prequalification practices or approaches around the globe. It also investigates and analyses the perception of clients, advisors and contractors views based on prequalification and its criteria’s in relation to PPP/PFI, as it operates in the developed and developing countries.

This research focuses on Europe, Asia and the Africa region, with much particularity on countries such as: UK, Hong Kong, and Nigeria. In the selection of contractor, it needs to point out that the qualitative and quantitative evaluation criteria had been put into consideration as well as the lowest bid price. The research within this had been set out to also investigate and analysis the PPP / PFI prequalification and its criteria used in the global context of the construction industry.

The approach adopted towards this research involves; review of past literatures, case-studies and structured questionnaires to depict data. The central theme of the research is evaluating the possibility of a global paradigm for prequalification of a concessionaire/contractor, the consideration of the corruptible practices of the developing countries, using established surveys, and determining the possible remedy for these entrenched practices. The scope of the research is not extending to legal and operational issues of the public private procurement initiative.

Experience and lessons learnt throughout the research will be used to formulate a statement of the trend of public private partnership in the 21st century and beyond. The emphasis is on the streamlining of the criteria for prequalification with bias on universality of its operation and application or in the minimum, highlighting the limitation of such application. The objectives of this research are as follows:

• To investigate and determine the use or operation of PPP/PFI contractor prequalification approach, and its criteria’s practiced in selected developed and developing countries based on the various PPP/PFI models in use.
• To perceive and analyse the views of those construction clients and their advisors in the developed and developing countries.
• To perceive and analysis the views of the contracting firms (contractor organization) in developed and developing countries.
• To conduct a comparative study on countries utilising the views of both clients and contractors generally.

The objectives listed out above will be achieved through following tasks; review of literature on issues involving contractor prequalification, collecting data from a structured questionnaire and case studies, analysis of questionnaires and case studies for results and findings and making conclusions and recommendation where necessary. The research questions will be based on the follow;

• What is the client vis-a-vis the contractor perspective of PPP/PFI prequalification and its criteria’s?
• What are the effects of such a perception in the effectiveness of PPP/PFI prequalification process and its criteria’s?
• Is the dynamics of PPP/PFI prequalification and its criteria’s universal? Does it truly have limitations?
• What more needs to be imputed into the PPP/PFI prequalification and the selection criteria’s?
• How can the international community mitigate the effect of corrupt practices and other social factors in selection of contractors for public projects?
• What are the limitations in the transfer of PPP/PFI prequalification for the under-developed countries and is the transfer achievable?

• 22,000 words – 80 pages in length
• Excellent use of literature
• Good analysis of subject area
• Well written throughout
• Includes questionnaire
• Ideal for construction management students

1: Background of Study
Aim of Study
Research Objectives
Scope and Limitations of Study
Research Structure

2: Literature Review
The Context of PPP / PFI
The Origin of PPP / PFI
The Concept of PPP / PFI
Prerequisites of PPP / PFI Scheme
Fundamentals Characteristics of PPP / PFI
Forms of PPP / PFI Used Globally
The Global Effect/Use of PPP / PFI
Developed Countries
Developing Countries

3: Literature Review
Contractor Pre-Qualification
The Requisites of PPP / PFI Prequalification
The PPP / PFI Prequalification Process
PPP / PFI Procurement Procedure
Evaluation Methodology
Prequalification Methods in PPP / PFI
Prequalification Criteria; Past and Current
The Prequalification Criteria for PPP / PFI
Global Use & Effect of Contractor Prequalification and Its Criteria
Present Challenges

4: Research Methodology
The Questionnaire Survey
The Case Studies

5: Data Analysis and Results
The Perception of Various Participants
Contractor’s Perception
Clients’ and their Adviser’s Perception
Alternative Perspective of Prequalification Criteria: Universality Doctrine
Universal Dynamics and Limitations of PPP / PFI Prequalification and Its Criteria- Limitations in the Transfer of PPP / PFI Prequalification
The International Community Mitigating the Effect of Corrupt Practices and Other Social Factors

6: Conclusions and Recommendations

References

Appendix
Questionnaires