Challenges of Tenders in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is developing in the infrastructural sector very quickly to support

increment of GDP. These development programs are part of procurement and
tender is a very important segment of procurement system. Simply by tender we
mean completing of procurement process in a competitive manner through active
participation of the interested parties by bidding prices. Tenders may be called both
for works and goods procurement that ensures quality works/products at a
competitive price and at the same time free from price manipulation. But sadly this
doesnot happen all the time. Tendering processes often subjected to questions due
to malpractice. There are different challenges to hold a fair and believable tendering
process. And the challenges are different for online and offline tenders.

Offline Tenders:

This is the older type of tendering process which is solely paper based and done by
human touches. Offline tender is the most vulnerable tendering process due to
higher probability of manipulation. It is very hard to hold fair tender in this process.
The main challenges for holding fair offline tender are as follows:

All the processes are done by hands. So there is probability of intentional &
unintentional errors all the time.
Secrecy can not be ensured in this process
Time consuming
Labor intensive and at the same time inefficient
Manipulation & syndication is obvious

Online Tenders:

Now a days online tendering has become a known entity specially in the govt
procurement process. The largest procuring department of the country is now
conducting procurement online through e-GP system developed and regulated by
CPTU. The electronic procurement system has abolished the drawbacks of the older
offline tendering system and established a clean, fear-free and fair tendering
process. The e-GP system also ensured greater participation of the tenderers and
decrease the limitation regarding time, location and payment upto a great extent.
However there are still some problems with e-GP system:

Bangladesh still lacks computer literate people to a great extent, creating

inconvenience for both the procurement entities and tenderers.
Internet access and speed are still very low for convenient online tendering
process

The system couldnot become fully online as complaint management system

is not practiced online.
Tenderers mostly are computer illiterate and highly dependent on agents for
completing e-tendering process, so secrecy can not be ensured totally.
The e-tendering process is too rigorous and simplification is required to create
an user friendly environment.

Bangladesh is advancing forward towards an efficient and fair tendering process at

a greater speed now a days. If the challenges that creating barrier can be abolished
and the system can be rectified accordingly, then it will not be tough to conduct
stainless procurement process in future.

Please upload the following documents and send it again

- signed minutes
- signed TER-5
- Comperative statement
- paper cutting
- verified documents

Dear Dr. Kassem:

My name is Dipankar Ghosh. I have completed B.Sc. in Civil Engineering from Bangladesh University Of
Engineering And Technology (BUET), Bangladesh. My CGPA was 3.45 0ut of 4.00 (3.57 out of 4.0 as Evaluated
by "Educational Perspective; NACES accredited Evaluator Institution of USA"). I want to pursue admission for
graduate study in Civil Engineering at University of Idaho on fall 2016. My GRE score is 319 out of 340;
Quantitative: 163 out of 170+Verbal: 156 out of 170; Analytical:4.0 (Revised GRE). TOEFL score was 104
(taken on October 2013).
I have seen the subjects of your research works and interests at the university website. I am interested in the same
fields of Transportation Engineering specially in Pavement Materials and Infrastructure. I am very eager to work in
one of your research projects as your research group member. I want to develop my academic ability more besides
professional ability through advanced study and research.
Professionally I am working as Upazila Engineer/ Assistant Engineer for Local Government Engineering
Department (LGED), Govt. of Peoples Republic of Bangladesh which specializes on transport related works like
road network design, pavement construction & maintenance. I am engineer-in-charge (Head of the office) of one of
their local offices. At present I am executing 08 roads (includes both flexible & rigid pavement) and related road

structure works that included 10 culverts at present valuing upto USD 700,000 equivalent. Road projects including
road structures valuing USD 1 million will be executed in this financial year under my supervision.
I think I have the potential to contribute to advanced research and in this way I can develop my knowledge in my
preferred areas under your efficient guidance. If I get a chance i will prove myself.
I am looking forward eagerly to hear from you.
Yours sincerely,

Dipankar Ghosh.