Community
Contracting
The community level procurement of goods, works and services in the Swajal project is an unique feature in the country, probably even in the World.
So far the communities have procured material worth Rs. 20.84 million in Batch1 and Rs. 37.07 million in Batch 2. It is evident that almost all the material is procured either from authorized dealer or manufacturer. The project had to come up with innovative methods of facilitating community procurement. While on the one hand the systems and procedures established for community procurement have to ensure good quality, appropriate quantity, exact timing and reasonability of rates, on the other hand soundness and flexibility has to be built in.
Prior to preparation of DPR, a market survey of material and labour rates is done and the rates are negotiated between village community, DPMU and the SO engineers to arrive at reasonable rates. DPRs are prepared on the above rates and IPTA is singed between the VWSC, the SO and the PMU. Responsibilities of all the partners are well defined in the IPTA. Required funds are transferred to a joint account of VWSC and the SO and withdrawal from this joint account is done under the joint signatures of representatives of VWSC and SO.
After the approval of DPR the village communities form the joint committees of VWSC representatives and SO engineers and do a market survey for various non local materials required for construction and obtain a Proforma invoice from one supplier. The proforma invoice is placed before a meeting of VWSC and once the VWSC approves it, this proforma invoice is submitted to DPMU. The DPMU examines the proforma invoice and after going through a cost control exercise, release the first installment of the funds required for construction to the joint account. The communities then proceed to purchase the material.
As a matter of principle, the project does not encourage contractors. However, in sensitive construction works like Overhead tank construction, communities are encouraged to go for good quality contractors. It has been observed that normally the community goes by their knowledge of local contractors and send enquiries to them. On receiving offers from various contractors, the community with the help of SO engineers negotiates with the contractors and finalises the deal. A few communities have even deviced their own IPTA where the contractor, the communities and the SOs formally ADRESSES
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