Job Book 9th Edition - Book - Page 328
ONLINE VERSION
316
Contractor Engagement
installation drawings. Nevertheless, the general Technical Design
information will originate from the design team, and the process
of coordinating and integrating information will continue
throughout the construction of the project.
There will often be the need to obtain tenders from specialist
subcontractors or suppliers at an early stage. Sometimes it may
be advantageous if the main contractor is appointed early to
provide pre-construction advice, and then again by a secondstage tender to undertake the full contract works. Obviously, the
procurement method adopted – or the size and complexity of
the project – can have an effect on tender action and timing. For
example, in management procurement there will be a tendering
procedure to select the management contractor (or construction
manager) followed by separate tendering for each works
package. Normally, however, tendering refers to the period when
the main contract tenders are invited and evaluated and advice is
given to the client on appointing the contractor.
Tenders may be obtained by following one of these routes:
• open tendering: open to all and, in theory, competitive, but
generally regarded as wasteful, often unreliable and not in the
client’s long-term interests
• selective tendering: open to selected invitees only, competitive
and appropriate for all forms of procurement, with fair and
clear criteria for selection
• negotiated tendering: applicable where price is not the main
criterion, and not necessarily competitive, except perhaps
where it forms the second step in a two-stage process – this
may not be applicable for certain public sector contracts (e.g.
those under EU procurement rules).
Tendering will mostly be a one-stage activity, but where
the project is particularly large and complex, or where the
procurement method makes it desirable, two-stage tendering
can be a more efficient and satisfactory way forward.
Regardless of the route chosen, it is important to ensure that
tendering is always on a fair basis. Competition should only
be between firms which have the necessary skills, integrity,
responsibility and reputation to enable them to deliver work of
the nature and standard required. Competitive tendering should
involve only a realistic number of bids from firms that have been.
given the same information and the same realistic period in
which to formulate offers.
