Job Book 9th Edition - Book - Page 50
ONLINE VERSION
38
Stage 0 > Strategic Definition: Supplementary Material: 0/SM2
• After receipt of satisfactory tenders, the client can be expected to enter into
an agreement. There is little scope for negotiation; architects are required to
act fairly and honestly with potential clients and competitors [Undertaking 3.4
of the RIBA Code of Professional Conduct].
Fee tender (without design) using the Two Envelope System
The architect is chosen both on the basis of technical qualifications and on a fee
quoted. Each is considered separately.
•• Unlikely to be suitable for projects of less than £500,000 capital value.
•• A limited number of firms (say five or six) who accept invitations are sent tender
documents. All must receive identical information.
•• The information should state precisely which services are required and include
an initial brief for the project.
•• The criteria to be used when evaluating the tenders should be stated.
•• Two envelopes will normally be provided for tender submissions, clearly
marked:
(1) ‘Qualifications’ (the technical submission)
(2) ‘Fee’ (the tender and quoted figure in a form stipulated by the client).
The qualifications envelopes are opened first and the firms placed in order of
preference. Then the fee envelope from the preferred tenderer (only) is opened
in the presence of that firm. Negotiation might subsequently be needed to arrive
at a fair and reasonable figure. The second envelopes of the other firms should
remain sealed and be returned to those firms if negotiations with the preferred
firm are successful. Undertaking 3.4 of the RIBA Code of Professional Conduct
must be observed. Only in the event of failure to reach a satisfactory outcome
should the fee envelope of the next preferred tenderer be opened.
Design submission with fee proposal
The architect is chosen both on the basis of a design submission and on a
fee quoted. Each is considered separately under the Two Envelope System as
described above.
•• Suitable for larger projects (e.g. over £1 million).
•• A limited number of firms (say three) who accept invitations are sent tender
documents. All must receive full and identical information.
•• The information should state precisely which services are required and include
an initial brief for the project.
•• Clients should expect to pay a fee to all tenderers who submit detailed design
ideas, and this will usually restrict the number of invitations. Architects taking
part in such an arrangement would be wise to secure a formal agreement with
the client to this effect.
