Journal of Economic and Social Dynamics

Abstract

Public procurement is one of the largest channels through which public resources are converted into infrastructure and services in most countries where Bangladesh is no exception. Quality Control (QC) measurements in such construction projects generally are essential to ensuring the delivery of structures that meet safety, functionality, and durability standards. Accordingly, this study begins with examining how the QC of civil works is planned, implemented, and enforced in public procurement system of Bangladesh. It then identifies key challenges that weaken quality outcomes. Using secondary evidence and quantitative signals from e-Government Procurement (e-GP) analytics and procurement system assessments, this study analyses competition patterns. Particularly, the competition patterns are: i) average bids per tender ii) single-bid prevalence iii) market concentration and contract performance risks such as time overruns, price enhancements and variation-order governance. Findings of this study indicate that (i) competition in Open Tender Method (OTM) remains thin (≈ 3.54 bids/tender) while Limited Tender Method (LTM) tends to be crowded (≈47.75 bids/tender); (ii) single-bid awards can be substantial in specific procuring entities, reaching to 60 – 89% in some Public Works Department (PWD) divisions and (iii) contract management weaknesses where a large share of contracts miss planned schedules create pressure points that can compromise workmanship quality. Thus, this study concludes that QC failures are not only technical (supervision, testing, defect rectification), but also institutional (incentives, collusion risks, weak performance feedback loops). Recommendations emphasize risk-based QC planning, digital contract management expansion, stronger accountability for variations and supervision, and structured citizen engagement in implementation monitoring.