FRAMEWORK FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS IN FCT-ABUJA

Abstract

ABSTRACT Deciding what to provide in-house and what to outsource is not always easy, because of the pros and cons of each approach. This study assessed the suitability of outsourcing and in-house routes for procurement of facilities management (FM) services in public buildings so as to develop a framework to assist FM practitioners in making decisions on procurement of FM services in Abuja. Mixed method research methodology was adopted involving the administration of 122 structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with 10 international facility management association (IFMA) members in Abuja metropolis. Findings show that the top three factors driving in-house FM services delivery are cost reduction, improved performance standard and improved customer orientation and service. While, the top three factors driving outsourcing of FM services delivery are improved quality of services, improved performance standard and improved responsiveness and cycle times. Also, from the findings, the top barriers to the delivery of in-house FM services are, financial constraints and Customer demands while lack of understanding of sustainability issues and lack of tools were indicated as the top barriers for outsourcing. The key factors considered for the development of framework to procure FM services includes the 11 core competency of FM (occupancy and human factor, operations and maintenance, sustainability, facility information and technology management, risk management, communication, performance and quality, leadership and strategy, real estate, project management, finance and business), availability of trained facility manager, new technology, management technique and cost. This indicates that the framework to procure FM services includes provision of clear policy which should consist of a policy statement, methodology resource mobilization, government policy regarding the maintenance of the facility mapping of the facility and a means of measuring performance of FM services providers. Therefore, organisation favours the use of in-house FM services in handling strategic functions while outsourcing is in charge of operational functions. Top management committee should endeavor to make progress on financial, technical and stakeholder constraints for effective growth and operation of in-house and outsourcing of FM services. The result of the study provides significant understanding that can support decision making on what FM services public organisations should provide in-house and what to outsource.