Status of commodity procurement for AID projects in Somalia as of March 1st, 1980

Special evaluation covers the period through 3/1/80 and is based on a review of project files. Procurement delays were found to be common, as necessary commodities are often not stocked in the United States and those charged with procurement lack the authority and expertise to purchase substitutes. Burdensome rules and regulations, the limited availability of carriers and erratic transport, and poor order tracking have compounded the problem of slow procurement. The purchasing agent, in most cases the Afro-American Purchasing Center, is understaffed. In addition to addressing the above problems, it is recommended that technical expediters be retained to procure supplies for large projects.