Zambia's public procurement system is governed by the Public Procurement Act of 2008 and its associated regulations. The law aims to ensure transparency, fairness, and competition in public procurement processes and to provide value for money for the government.
Under the Public Procurement Act, there are two main methods for conducting public tenders:
Open Bidding: Open bidding is the most commonly used method for public procurement in Zambia. It involves advertising a notice inviting bids in a national newspaper or the government procurement website, and any eligible bidder can participate. The procurement entity will evaluate the bids based on predetermined criteria, and the contract will be awarded to the bidder who meets the requirements and offers the best value for money.
Restricted Bidding: Restricted bidding is used in specific situations when it is not practical to use open bidding. This method involves selecting a limited number of potential bidders to participate in the procurement process based on specific criteria, such as previous experience, technical expertise, or financial capacity. The procurement entity will evaluate the bids based on predetermined criteria, and the contract will be awarded to the bidder who meets the requirements and offers the best value for money.
In addition to the above methods, the Public Procurement Act also outlines procedures for procurement planning, pre-qualification, bid evaluation, contract award, and contract management. The law also establishes the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) as the regulatory authority responsible for overseeing and monitoring the public procurement process in Zambia.
It is worth noting that the ZPPA has also introduced e-procurement systems, which allows for electronic submission of bids and proposals, making the procurement process more efficient and transparent.
