ESTIMATING/BIDDING

Mel Jones

VTA

October 3rd 2013

Planning

− Do’s − Pre-Bid Site Visit− Reviewing Contract Documents to Determine Scope

− Don’ts − Unapproved product substitution− Perform un-certified installation− Don’t waste a pursuit

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Pre-Bid Site Visit

− What to look for?− Areas of site access, environmental impacts, parking, etc…

− Strategy – Do you ask questions? Or do you listen?− Ask questions on clarifications of the process. Example: Is this

an all Union project? − Don’t ask questions on strategy that could potentially give you

an advantage. Example: I notice there is a lift building and the fuel wash structure, can we pour both slabs at the same time to condense the schedule?

− Determine Competition− If the site visit is mandatory, you know who you are bidding

against.

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To Estimate or Not ???

− You do not want to estimate an unapproved product without knowing you can get an approved substitution request. Ex: Sole sourced materials

− You do not want to estimate installing something you are not certified to install.

− You do not want to estimate something you know your competition has an upper hand on.

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Reviewing Contract Documents to Determine Scope− Setting up your budget:

− Define your scope & quantities: − Review all available project documents (Drawings, Specs, Soils Report,

Addendums, Etc…)− Know where to look in the drawings for your scope; keeping the big picture in

mind. Ex.: If you are going to provide site furnishings do not only look at Landscape drawings, but also look at Civil and Architectural to verify you are reviewing the full scope.

− Synchronize your process – Schedule, Scope, Logistics− Track revisions to documents with reasons for changes (Addendums,

Clarifications, etc…)− Quantify & document all assumptions in writing

− Logistics Planning:− Form a checklist: Permit, bonds, staffing, fence, trailer, parking, access, lay-

down, work flow, fork lift, watchman, flagging, waste/recycle, PPE, etc…

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Reviewing Contract Documents to Determine Scope (Continued…)− Constructability Review

− How to build the project?− Ways to improve cost, schedule, quality?− Coordinate schedule and sequence of events.− Consult with General for difficult process?

− Other things to keep in mind:− Your particular experience, resources, expertise− Evaluate existing systems where available− Consult Owner Maintenance Personnel if applicable− ISO 18001− LEED− Long lead procurement items− MWESB, Apprentice participation requirement paperwork− Insurance Requirements

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BIDDING

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BIN #05- Drywall and Insulation

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Scope Letters

What to look for?− Is the scope all covered? Cite spec sections.− Exclusions and clarifications− Acknowledge any Addenda − Alternates − Job requirements: Prevailing wage, Owner Requirements (2

yr warranty)

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