THE BIDDING PROCESS STEP BY
STEP
What you need to know
Understanding the bidding
process in detail is a must
for a cost estimator.
Bidding means:
“to make a competitive
offer to set a price in
response to a call to
tender”
The tender process for construction projects in
Canada has to be compliant with the Canadian
Tender Law.
The Canadian tender law stipulates that:
The Canadian tender law stipulates that:
1. The party who issues the tender call has the
obligation to accept only compliant bids, to
consider only disclosed criteria when
evaluating a bid and to act fairly in
evaluating tenders.
The Canadian tender law stipulates that:
1. The party who issues the tender call has the
obligation to accept only compliant bids, to
consider only disclosed criteria when
evaluating a bid and to act fairly in
evaluating tenders.
2. The party who submits a bid has the
obligation to stand by its contents, or
support the consequences of retracting the
bid.
The two most important rules of preparing a
compliant tender:
The two most important rules of preparing a
compliant tender:
1.Is has to be complete, meaning compliant
with the call for tender documentation
The two most important rules of preparing a
compliant tender:
1.Is has to be complete, meaning compliant
with the call for tender documentation
2. Has to be delivered on time
Depending on each organization, the search
for bidding opportunities is done by:
Depending on each organization, the search
for bidding opportunities is done by:
1.The business development
department
Depending on each organization, the search
for bidding opportunities is done by:
1.The business development
department
2.The estimating department
Depending on each organization, the search
for bidding opportunities is done by:
1.The business development
department
2.The estimating department
3.The business owner
Who issues the tender call?
Who issues the tender call?
The project owner/sponsor
Who issues the tender call?
The project owner/sponsor
Who administers the tender call?
Who issues the tender call?
The project owner/sponsor
Who administers the tender call?
The project tender authority
Who is the tender authority?
Who is the tender authority?
 It can be the project owner, if it has
the resources,
Who is the tender authority?
 It can be the project owner, if it has
the resources,
 a design engineering firm,
Who is the tender authority?
 It can be the project owner, if it has
the resources,
 a design engineering firm,
 or any entity appointed by the
owner to act on its behalf
What is the tender authority role?
What is the tender authority role?
1. Advertise the tender call
What is the tender authority role?
1. Advertise the tender call
2. Issue the tender call
What is the tender authority role?
1. Advertise the tender call
2. Issue the tender call
3. Issue invitation to tender, if the tender is by invitation only
What is the tender authority role?
1. Advertise the tender call
2. Issue the tender call
3. Issue invitation to tender, if the tender is by invitation only
4. Issue the tender documentation
What is the tender authority role?
1. Advertise the tender call
2. Issue the tender call
3. Issue invitation to tender, if the tender is by invitation only
4. Issue the tender documentation
5. Issue addenda and process the request for information from
potential bidders
What is the tender authority role?
1. Advertise the tender call
2. Issue the tender call
3. Issue invitation to tender, if the tender is by invitation only
4. Issue the tender documentation
5. Issue addenda and process the request for information from
potential bidders
6. Receive the tenders
What is the tender authority role?
1. Advertise the tender call
2. Issue the tender call
3. Issue invitation to tender, if the tender is by invitation only
4. Issue the tender documentation
5. Issue addenda and process the request for information from
potential bidders
6. Receive the tenders
7. Evaluate the tenders and make recommendations for best bid
Public versus Private tenders
Public versus Private tenders
1. Public tender is open to all, or pre-qualified contractors
Public versus Private tenders
1. Public tender is open to all, or pre-qualified contractors
2. Private tender is by invitation only
Public versus Private tenders
1. Public tender is open to all, or pre-qualified contractors
2. Private tender is by invitation only
3. Private tenders sometimes involves post-tender addenda and
private, one-on-one negotiations regarding tender price
Public versus Private tenders
1. Public tender is open to all, or pre-qualified contractors
2. Private tender is by invitation only
3. Private tenders sometimes involves post-tender addenda and
private, one-on-one negotiations regarding tender price
4. All projects funded with public money are public tenders and the
tender results are available to the public.
Public versus Private tenders
1. Public tender is open to all, or pre-qualified contractors
2. Private tender is by invitation only
3. Private tenders sometimes involves post-tender addenda and
private, one-on-one negotiations regarding tender price
4. All projects funded with public money are public tenders and the
tender results are available to the public.
5. A private tender, almost always, does not disclose the tender
results.
Owner’s Tender calls for General Contracting
Owner’s Tender calls for General Contracting
1. The majority of tender calls are for general contractors
Owner’s Tender calls for General Contracting
1. The majority of tender calls are for general contractors
2. A general contractor can be one business entity, or a
partnership/joint venture
Owner’s Tender calls for General Contracting
1. The majority of tender calls are for general contractors
2. A general contractor can be one business entity, or a
partnership/joint venture
3. Tender calls for trade/specialty contractors are common for
Construction Management project delivery method. Please note
that this is also valid for EPCM delivery method.
General Contractor’s Role
General Contractor’s Role
1. The general contractor is responsible for delivering the project
for the full scope identified in the tender call
General Contractor’s Role
1. The general contractor is responsible for delivering the project
for the full scope identified in the tender call
2. A general contractor will provide general construction site
management, subcontractor co-ordination, and contract
administration
General Contractor’s Role
1. The general contractor is responsible for delivering the project
for the full scope identified in the tender call
2. A general contractor will provide general construction site
management, subcontractor co-ordination, and contract
administration
3. A general contractor will perform some of the construction
activities, with its own forces. This is called self-performed work.
General Contractor’s Role
1. The general contractor is responsible for delivering the project
for the full scope identified in the tender call
2. A general contractor will provide general construction site
management, subcontractor co-ordination, and contract
administration
3. A general contractor will perform some of the construction
activities, with its own forces. This is called self-performed work.
4. For the balance of the construction activities the general
contractor will secure pricing from subcontractors
General Contractor’s Scope of Self-performed
work
General Contractor’s Scope of Self-performed
work
1. It is very likely that a general contractor will self-perform the
concrete work, and/or earthworks, site works and miscellaneous
items not included in the sub-contracted work
General Contractor’s Scope of Self-performed
work
1. It is very likely that a general contractor will self-perform the
concrete work, and/or earthworks, site works and miscellaneous
items not included in the sub-contracted work
2. Specialty trade contractors will bid as general contractors when
the project scope of work justify this approach. Example: think of
a mechanical contractor bidding a project in which the
mechanical scope of work is the largest of all trades.
Cost Estimator’s To Do List when Bidding on a
Project
Cost Estimator’s To Do List when Bidding on a
Project
1. Procure the tender documentation
Cost Estimator’s To Do List when Bidding on a
Project
1. Procure the tender documentation
2. Mark the tender closing date on the calendar
Cost Estimator’s To Do List when Bidding on a
Project
1. Procure the tender documentation
2. Mark the tender closing date on the calendar
3. Review the project scope
Cost Estimator’s To Do List when Bidding on a
Project
1. Procure the tender documentation
2. Mark the tender closing date on the calendar
3. Review the project scope
4. Mark the site visit date in the calendar. If there is no mentioning
of site visit, request one
Cost Estimator’s To Do List when Bidding on a
Project
1. Procure the tender documentation
2. Mark the tender closing date on the calendar
3. Review the project scope
4. Mark the site visit date in the calendar. If there is no mentioning
of site visit, request one
5. Prepare and submit documentation for bonding requirements
(will cover this in detail in the project indirect costs)
Cost Estimator’s To Do List when Bidding on a
Project
1. Procure the tender documentation
2. Mark the tender closing date on the calendar
3. Review the project scope
4. Mark the site visit date in the calendar. If there is no mentioning
of site visit, request one
5. Prepare and submit documentation for bonding requirements
(will cover this in detail in the project indirect costs)
6. Prepare the cost estimate development plan and assess
required resources to implement it
Cost Estimator’s To Do List when Bidding on a
Project
1. Procure the tender documentation
2. Mark the tender closing date on the calendar
3. Review the project scope
4. Mark the site visit date in the calendar. If there is no mentioning
of site visit, request one
5. Prepare and submit documentation for bonding requirements
(will cover this in detail in the project indirect costs)
6. Prepare the cost estimate development plan and assess
required resources to implement it
7. Implement the cost estimate development and tender closing
plan
In future lessons we will cover all steps of the bidding process in
detail.
This was just an introduction of the basic bidding concepts. There
are many facets of bidding and no course will cover them all.
In future lessons we will cover all steps of the bidding process in
detail.
This was just an introduction of the basic bidding concepts. There
are many facets of bidding and no course will cover them all.
The tender law is a topic which can be very captivating. It is the
topic a lawyer who specializes in construction law can present in
detail. Various organizations offer seminars on this topic
In future lessons we will cover all steps of the bidding process in
detail.
This was just an introduction of the basic bidding concepts. There
are many facets of bidding and no course will cover them all.
The tender law is a topic which can be very captivating. It is the
topic a lawyer who specializes in construction law can present in
detail. Various organizations offer seminars on this topic
In your practice as a cost estimator, you will not be concerned with
the legal aspects of the tender law. As long as you implement the
cost estimate development plan, which we will cover in detail in
future lessons, and follow the tender preparation and submission
rules, you will be in a position of knowledge.
Do you have any questions about this topic?
Do you have any questions about this topic?
Please use the course group messaging feature, or post a question
in the group discussion.
Do you have any questions about this topic?
Please use the course group messaging feature, or post a question
in the group discussion.
You can also email me directly: doina.dobre@emeraldgroup.ca

Construction Bidding Step-by-Step

  • 1.
    THE BIDDING PROCESSSTEP BY STEP What you need to know
  • 2.
    Understanding the bidding processin detail is a must for a cost estimator.
  • 3.
    Bidding means: “to makea competitive offer to set a price in response to a call to tender”
  • 4.
    The tender processfor construction projects in Canada has to be compliant with the Canadian Tender Law.
  • 5.
    The Canadian tenderlaw stipulates that:
  • 6.
    The Canadian tenderlaw stipulates that: 1. The party who issues the tender call has the obligation to accept only compliant bids, to consider only disclosed criteria when evaluating a bid and to act fairly in evaluating tenders.
  • 7.
    The Canadian tenderlaw stipulates that: 1. The party who issues the tender call has the obligation to accept only compliant bids, to consider only disclosed criteria when evaluating a bid and to act fairly in evaluating tenders. 2. The party who submits a bid has the obligation to stand by its contents, or support the consequences of retracting the bid.
  • 8.
    The two mostimportant rules of preparing a compliant tender:
  • 9.
    The two mostimportant rules of preparing a compliant tender: 1.Is has to be complete, meaning compliant with the call for tender documentation
  • 10.
    The two mostimportant rules of preparing a compliant tender: 1.Is has to be complete, meaning compliant with the call for tender documentation 2. Has to be delivered on time
  • 11.
    Depending on eachorganization, the search for bidding opportunities is done by:
  • 12.
    Depending on eachorganization, the search for bidding opportunities is done by: 1.The business development department
  • 13.
    Depending on eachorganization, the search for bidding opportunities is done by: 1.The business development department 2.The estimating department
  • 14.
    Depending on eachorganization, the search for bidding opportunities is done by: 1.The business development department 2.The estimating department 3.The business owner
  • 15.
    Who issues thetender call?
  • 16.
    Who issues thetender call? The project owner/sponsor
  • 17.
    Who issues thetender call? The project owner/sponsor Who administers the tender call?
  • 18.
    Who issues thetender call? The project owner/sponsor Who administers the tender call? The project tender authority
  • 19.
    Who is thetender authority?
  • 20.
    Who is thetender authority?  It can be the project owner, if it has the resources,
  • 21.
    Who is thetender authority?  It can be the project owner, if it has the resources,  a design engineering firm,
  • 22.
    Who is thetender authority?  It can be the project owner, if it has the resources,  a design engineering firm,  or any entity appointed by the owner to act on its behalf
  • 23.
    What is thetender authority role?
  • 24.
    What is thetender authority role? 1. Advertise the tender call
  • 25.
    What is thetender authority role? 1. Advertise the tender call 2. Issue the tender call
  • 26.
    What is thetender authority role? 1. Advertise the tender call 2. Issue the tender call 3. Issue invitation to tender, if the tender is by invitation only
  • 27.
    What is thetender authority role? 1. Advertise the tender call 2. Issue the tender call 3. Issue invitation to tender, if the tender is by invitation only 4. Issue the tender documentation
  • 28.
    What is thetender authority role? 1. Advertise the tender call 2. Issue the tender call 3. Issue invitation to tender, if the tender is by invitation only 4. Issue the tender documentation 5. Issue addenda and process the request for information from potential bidders
  • 29.
    What is thetender authority role? 1. Advertise the tender call 2. Issue the tender call 3. Issue invitation to tender, if the tender is by invitation only 4. Issue the tender documentation 5. Issue addenda and process the request for information from potential bidders 6. Receive the tenders
  • 30.
    What is thetender authority role? 1. Advertise the tender call 2. Issue the tender call 3. Issue invitation to tender, if the tender is by invitation only 4. Issue the tender documentation 5. Issue addenda and process the request for information from potential bidders 6. Receive the tenders 7. Evaluate the tenders and make recommendations for best bid
  • 31.
  • 32.
    Public versus Privatetenders 1. Public tender is open to all, or pre-qualified contractors
  • 33.
    Public versus Privatetenders 1. Public tender is open to all, or pre-qualified contractors 2. Private tender is by invitation only
  • 34.
    Public versus Privatetenders 1. Public tender is open to all, or pre-qualified contractors 2. Private tender is by invitation only 3. Private tenders sometimes involves post-tender addenda and private, one-on-one negotiations regarding tender price
  • 35.
    Public versus Privatetenders 1. Public tender is open to all, or pre-qualified contractors 2. Private tender is by invitation only 3. Private tenders sometimes involves post-tender addenda and private, one-on-one negotiations regarding tender price 4. All projects funded with public money are public tenders and the tender results are available to the public.
  • 36.
    Public versus Privatetenders 1. Public tender is open to all, or pre-qualified contractors 2. Private tender is by invitation only 3. Private tenders sometimes involves post-tender addenda and private, one-on-one negotiations regarding tender price 4. All projects funded with public money are public tenders and the tender results are available to the public. 5. A private tender, almost always, does not disclose the tender results.
  • 37.
    Owner’s Tender callsfor General Contracting
  • 38.
    Owner’s Tender callsfor General Contracting 1. The majority of tender calls are for general contractors
  • 39.
    Owner’s Tender callsfor General Contracting 1. The majority of tender calls are for general contractors 2. A general contractor can be one business entity, or a partnership/joint venture
  • 40.
    Owner’s Tender callsfor General Contracting 1. The majority of tender calls are for general contractors 2. A general contractor can be one business entity, or a partnership/joint venture 3. Tender calls for trade/specialty contractors are common for Construction Management project delivery method. Please note that this is also valid for EPCM delivery method.
  • 41.
  • 42.
    General Contractor’s Role 1.The general contractor is responsible for delivering the project for the full scope identified in the tender call
  • 43.
    General Contractor’s Role 1.The general contractor is responsible for delivering the project for the full scope identified in the tender call 2. A general contractor will provide general construction site management, subcontractor co-ordination, and contract administration
  • 44.
    General Contractor’s Role 1.The general contractor is responsible for delivering the project for the full scope identified in the tender call 2. A general contractor will provide general construction site management, subcontractor co-ordination, and contract administration 3. A general contractor will perform some of the construction activities, with its own forces. This is called self-performed work.
  • 45.
    General Contractor’s Role 1.The general contractor is responsible for delivering the project for the full scope identified in the tender call 2. A general contractor will provide general construction site management, subcontractor co-ordination, and contract administration 3. A general contractor will perform some of the construction activities, with its own forces. This is called self-performed work. 4. For the balance of the construction activities the general contractor will secure pricing from subcontractors
  • 46.
    General Contractor’s Scopeof Self-performed work
  • 47.
    General Contractor’s Scopeof Self-performed work 1. It is very likely that a general contractor will self-perform the concrete work, and/or earthworks, site works and miscellaneous items not included in the sub-contracted work
  • 48.
    General Contractor’s Scopeof Self-performed work 1. It is very likely that a general contractor will self-perform the concrete work, and/or earthworks, site works and miscellaneous items not included in the sub-contracted work 2. Specialty trade contractors will bid as general contractors when the project scope of work justify this approach. Example: think of a mechanical contractor bidding a project in which the mechanical scope of work is the largest of all trades.
  • 49.
    Cost Estimator’s ToDo List when Bidding on a Project
  • 50.
    Cost Estimator’s ToDo List when Bidding on a Project 1. Procure the tender documentation
  • 51.
    Cost Estimator’s ToDo List when Bidding on a Project 1. Procure the tender documentation 2. Mark the tender closing date on the calendar
  • 52.
    Cost Estimator’s ToDo List when Bidding on a Project 1. Procure the tender documentation 2. Mark the tender closing date on the calendar 3. Review the project scope
  • 53.
    Cost Estimator’s ToDo List when Bidding on a Project 1. Procure the tender documentation 2. Mark the tender closing date on the calendar 3. Review the project scope 4. Mark the site visit date in the calendar. If there is no mentioning of site visit, request one
  • 54.
    Cost Estimator’s ToDo List when Bidding on a Project 1. Procure the tender documentation 2. Mark the tender closing date on the calendar 3. Review the project scope 4. Mark the site visit date in the calendar. If there is no mentioning of site visit, request one 5. Prepare and submit documentation for bonding requirements (will cover this in detail in the project indirect costs)
  • 55.
    Cost Estimator’s ToDo List when Bidding on a Project 1. Procure the tender documentation 2. Mark the tender closing date on the calendar 3. Review the project scope 4. Mark the site visit date in the calendar. If there is no mentioning of site visit, request one 5. Prepare and submit documentation for bonding requirements (will cover this in detail in the project indirect costs) 6. Prepare the cost estimate development plan and assess required resources to implement it
  • 56.
    Cost Estimator’s ToDo List when Bidding on a Project 1. Procure the tender documentation 2. Mark the tender closing date on the calendar 3. Review the project scope 4. Mark the site visit date in the calendar. If there is no mentioning of site visit, request one 5. Prepare and submit documentation for bonding requirements (will cover this in detail in the project indirect costs) 6. Prepare the cost estimate development plan and assess required resources to implement it 7. Implement the cost estimate development and tender closing plan
  • 57.
    In future lessonswe will cover all steps of the bidding process in detail. This was just an introduction of the basic bidding concepts. There are many facets of bidding and no course will cover them all.
  • 58.
    In future lessonswe will cover all steps of the bidding process in detail. This was just an introduction of the basic bidding concepts. There are many facets of bidding and no course will cover them all. The tender law is a topic which can be very captivating. It is the topic a lawyer who specializes in construction law can present in detail. Various organizations offer seminars on this topic
  • 59.
    In future lessonswe will cover all steps of the bidding process in detail. This was just an introduction of the basic bidding concepts. There are many facets of bidding and no course will cover them all. The tender law is a topic which can be very captivating. It is the topic a lawyer who specializes in construction law can present in detail. Various organizations offer seminars on this topic In your practice as a cost estimator, you will not be concerned with the legal aspects of the tender law. As long as you implement the cost estimate development plan, which we will cover in detail in future lessons, and follow the tender preparation and submission rules, you will be in a position of knowledge.
  • 60.
    Do you haveany questions about this topic?
  • 61.
    Do you haveany questions about this topic? Please use the course group messaging feature, or post a question in the group discussion.
  • 62.
    Do you haveany questions about this topic? Please use the course group messaging feature, or post a question in the group discussion. You can also email me directly: doina.dobre@emeraldgroup.ca