Abstract
Abstract : Infrastructure is vital to the economic and social development of a country. Infrastructure projects attributes to construction of schools, houses, employment, religious structures and financial holdings of the country. South Africa is championing the sustainable development agenda across all sectoral facets. Accordingly, its construction industry is gradually transforming towards wholesome adoption of sustainable project delivery (SPD) practices and this is includng social considerations such as education, health and safety and community engagement. Yet, industry stakeholders remain fixated on economic and environmental sustainability dimensions. Tendering and bid evaluation exercises are deemed critical to attaining SPD goals. However, infrastructure procurement seems to have continued in a manner that depicts non-consideration of social sustainability (SS) aspects. Such observation makes this study reported herein, imperative, as it explored the perceptions of bid evaluation staff concerning the consideration of SS aspects during bid document preparation, evaluation and adjudication respectively. This study report looked at what aspects regarding social sustainability are considered during the procurement process of infrastructure projects delivery in the Free State. The study first delved into social sustainability and development focusing on the Free State. A sequential mixed method was adopted for this study. An embedded multi-case study research strategy, where bid evaluation teams of distinct public sector organisations within the Free State province was identified and the bid committees interviewed. Furthermore, bid documents such as tender notices were reviewed. Questionnaires were sent out after the interviews, to collate the information gathered and rank them with their level of significance. The emerging data was analysed through the use of qualitative and quantitative content analysis and the use of descriptive statistics. The findings of this study highlighted perceptions of bid evaluation teams on their inclination towards the consideration of SS aspects during the procurement of infrastructure projects by their organizations. It also revealed if and how any of these aspects were prioritised, in comparison to aspects of other sustainability dimensions.
M.Tech. (Quantity Surveying)