Framework for Strategic Selection of Maintenance Contractors

Selecting the right maintenance contractor is crucial for efficient operation and project success. Traditionally, this selection has been cost-driven, but the ever-growing complexity of projects has led to a shift towards best-value selection. The best value selection criteria evaluate the contractors based on factors like experience and past performance, along with the proposed cost. However, this approach lacks substantiated knowledge of these factors and often includes factors that cannot be validated at the time of procurement. This paper proposes a framework that applies the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to the maintenance contractor selection process. A detailed literature review was carried out to identify factors involved in maintenance selection. Data were collected from experts through a questionnaire developed based on the identified factors, facilitating AHP implementation. Substantiation strategies were identified using expert judgments. Our findings reveal that past performance criteria hold the maximum weight in the selection process. The proposed framework offers a more comprehensive approach for selecting maintenance contractors, ensuring both value and efficiency.