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Bidding

The design-bid-build project delivery method involves three sequential phases: 1) Design phase where the owner hires an architect to design the project and prepare bid documents. 2) Bid/tender phase where general contractors submit bids to construct the project based on the design documents. 3) Construction phase where the project is built by the selected contractor according to the design documents.

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87 views

Bidding

The design-bid-build project delivery method involves three sequential phases: 1) Design phase where the owner hires an architect to design the project and prepare bid documents. 2) Bid/tender phase where general contractors submit bids to construct the project based on the design documents. 3) Construction phase where the project is built by the selected contractor according to the design documents.

Uploaded by

Sidra Javeed
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Design–bid–build

Design–bid–build (or design/bid/build, and abbreviated D–B–B or D/B/B accordingly), also


known as Design–tender (or "design/tender") traditional method or hard bid, is a project
delivery method in which the agency or owner contracts with separate entities for the design
and construction of a project.
Design–bid–build is the traditional method for project delivery and differs in several
substantial aspects from design–build.
There are three main sequential phases to the design–bid–build delivery method

 The design phase


 The bidding (or tender) phase
 The construction phase

Design phase
In this phase the owner retains an architect (or consulting engineer for infrastructure works) to
design and produce bid documents, including construction drawings and technical
specifications, on which various general contractors will in turn bid to construct the project.
For building projects, the architect will work with the owner to identify the owner's needs,
develop a written program documenting those needs and then produce a conceptual and/or
schematic design. This early design is then developed, and the architect will usually bring in
other design professionals including a structural engineer, sometimes a civil
engineer, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineers (MEP engineers), a fire protection
engineer and often a landscape architect to help complete the construction drawings and
technical specifications. The finished bid documents are coordinated by the architect and
owner for issuance to general contractors during the bid phase.
Design fees are typically between 5-10% of the total project cost.[1]

Bid (or tender) phase


See also: Construction bidding
Bidding can be "open", in which any qualified bidder may participate, or "select", in which a
limited number of pre-selected contractors are invited to bid.
The various general contractors bidding on the project obtain copies of the bid (or tender)
documents, and then put them out to multiple subcontractors for bids on sub-components of
the project. Sub-components include items such as the concrete work, structural steel frame,
electrical systems, HVAC, and landscaping. Questions may arise during the bid (or tender)
period, and the architect will typically issue clarifications or corrections to the bid documents
in the form of addenda. From these elements, the contractor compiles a complete bid (or
"tender price") for submission by the established closing date and time (i.e., bid date). Bids can
be based on the quantities of materials in the completed construction (e.g., as in the UK
with bills of quantities), the operations needed to build it (e.g., as in operational bills), or
simply as a lump sum cost; however, these bid requirements are elucidated within the bid
documents.
Once bids are received, the architect typically reviews the bids, seeks any clarifications
required of the bidders, investigates contractor qualifications, ensures all documentation is in
order (including bonding if required), and advises the owner as to the ranking of the bids. If
the bids fall in a range acceptable to the owner, the owner and architect discuss the suitability
of various bidders and their proposals. The owner is not obligated to accept the lowest bid, and
it is customary for other factors including past performance and quality of other work to
influence the selection process. However, the project is typically awarded to the general
contractor with the lowest bid.
In the event that all of the bids do not satisfy the needs of the owner, whether for financial
reasons or otherwise, the owner may choose to reject all bids. The following options become
available to the owner:

 Re-bid (or re-tender) the construction of the project on a future date when the owner's
needs are met, such as when money becomes available and/or construction costs go down.
 Abandon the project entirely.
 Issue a work order to have the architect revise the design (sometimes at no cost to the
Owner, if previously negotiated), so as to make the project smaller or more efficient, or
reduce features or elements of the project to bring the cost down. The revised bid
documents can then be issued again for bid (or re-tendered).
 Select a general contractor, such as the lowest bidder, or an experienced cost estimator to
assist the architect with design changes aimed at cost reduction. This process is often
referred to as value engineering. The revised bid documents can then be issued again for
bid (or re-tendered).

Construction phase
Once the construction of the project has been awarded to the contractor, the bid documents
(e.g., approved construction drawings and technical specifications) may not be altered. The
necessary permits (for example, a building permit) must be achieved from all jurisdictional
authorities in order for the construction process to begin. Should design changes be necessary
during construction, whether initiated by the contractor, owner, or as discovered by the
architect, the architect may issue sketches or written clarifications. The contractor may be
required to document "as built" conditions to the owner.
In most instances, nearly every component of a project is supplied and installed by sub-
contractors. The general contractor may provide work with its own forces, but it is common
for a general contractor to limit its role primarily to managing the construction process and
daily activity on a construction site (see also construction management).
During the construction phase the architect also acts as the owner's agent to review the progress
of the work as it relates to pay requests from the Contractor, and to issue site instructions,
change orders (or field orders), or other documentation necessary to facilitate the construction
process and certify that the project is built to the approved construction drawings.
Potential problems of design–bid–build
 Failure of the design team to be current with construction costs, and any potential cost
increases during the design phase could cause project delays if the construction documents
must be redone to reduce costs.
 Redesign expense can be disputed should the architect's contract not specifically address
the issue of revisions required to reduce costs.
 Development of a "cheaper is better" mentality amongst the general contractors bidding
the project so there is the tendency to seek out the lowest cost sub-contractors in a given
market. In strong markets, general contractors will be able to be selective about which
projects to bid, but in lean times, the desire for work usually forces the low bidder of each
trade to be selected. This usually results in increased risk (for the general contractor) but
can also compromise the quality of construction. In the extreme, it can lead to serious
disputes involving quality of the final product, or bankruptcy of a sub-contractor who was
on the brink of insolvency desperate for work.
 As the general contractor is brought to the team post design, there is little opportunity for
input on effective alternates being presented.
 Pressures may be exerted on the design and construction teams due to competing interests
(e.g., economy versus acceptable quality), which may lead to disputes between the
architect and the general contractor, and associated delays in construction.

Benefits of design–bid–build
 The design team looks out for the interests of the owner.
 The design team prepares documents on which all general contractors place bids. With this
in mind, the "cheaper is better" argument is rendered invalid since the bids are based on
complete documents. Incomplete, incorrect or missed items are usually discovered and
addressed during the bid process in the form of addenda.
 Ensures fairness to potential bidders and improves decision making by the owner by
providing a range of potential options. It also identifies new potential contractors.
 Assists the owner in establishing reasonable prices for the project.
 Uses competition both in the selection of the architect and the contractor to improve the
efficiency and quality for owners.

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