Procurement and Tender

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First Consultation
Professional Fees
Site Investigation 
Sketch Design Stage
Planning Permission Stage 
Tender Stage 
Tender Action Stage
Construction Stage
Certification

The Tender stage of a project is the real meat of a project where all materials and construction, structure and services  of all parts of the building are brought together for pricing by a number of contractors. While the lowest tender is not always the one chosen for a number of factors as it sometimes can be unrealistically low which can lead to financial and programming  problems during construction.

CLIENT ROLE 

The Client’s role in this stage is to be mindful of their budgets and input to the design, bearing in mind that the project will go to Tender. See Construction Cost Guide and Project Specific  Factors to consider.

In smaller projects the Client sets aside a separate budget for Furnishings and Fittings which would remain outside the main contract  typically where there is better value in dealing directly with the Suppliers. The Contractor will be requested to include in his programme their facilitation /  installation on site as outlined in the Tender documents.

  • Kitchen and appliances 
  • Wardrobes
  • Curtains
  • Carpets
  • Beds and furniture
  • Landscaping and external paving
  • Bathroom appliances
  • Stoves etc.
  • Special items

On completion of this stage the following documents are issued to the tendering Contractors for pricing :

PRELIMINARIES- Under which conditions the works are to be carried out.

DESCRIPTION OF MATERIALS AND WORKMANSHIP (Drawings and Specifications)

MEASURED WORKS -Bill of Quantity.

Key Drivers in all Design / Construction projects are TIME / COST/SCOPE  The Designs ( including drawings and specifications) and Schedule of Works define which specific materials are to be used, where and how they will meet specific performance criteria. The other accompanying documentation define the specific conditions under which the works are to be carried out and the quantities of each  item to be used in the building or project.

Engineers will work with the Architect to provide the most efficient ( and cost efficient ) design solutions for structure drainage and  services .. Any conditions imposed from the Fire and Disabled Access Authorities in their Certificates will be incorporated into the Tender design and Specifications as Amendments.

A lot of input is required during this phase from the Client, particularly on preferences for internal and external materials and sources/ cost ranges etc. with input from the Quantity Surveyor at this point advising on cost / choice options .Contingency Sums included in Tenders for unforeseen events vary from 5-10% depending on the nature of project but in existing older buildings closer to 10% is advisable.

Other terms used in the preparation of Tender Costings are the following:

PRIME COST (PC) SUM 

PROVISIONAL SUMS 

In smaller projects the Contractor’s Plumber and Electrican are requested to design the services from the architectural drawings which show locations and specification of heating / cooling, kitchen , bathroom etc layouts.In this instance they will be responsible for Certifying the completed installation.

At least 3 Competent Contractors agree to tender and are checked out via referrals , Insurances and Revenue to ensure that they are capable of delivering the project.They in turn will have their Domestic Sub Contractors specialised in Joinery, Solar Panels etc.

In certain cases and more complex projects , the Design Team might recommend the use of specialised sub contractors who are termed Nominated Subcontractors to carry out highly specialised Works including design  for the Main Contractor such as Heating and Cooling- A separate Tendering  process is undertaken to award this designation .

The Tender documentation- drawings, specifications , Schedule of Works  and itemised Bill of Quantities describe the scope of the works and under which conditions , type of Contract they are to be carried out.

The Contractor will supply as part of his Tender submission a draft programme showing start date, end date and the sequencing of the different phases of works. Key dates will be identified for Client and Design Team decisions.

It is advisable to include a Liquidated Damages Clause in the Contract Documents to make allowance for deductions for late delivery of project to enable the Client to reccupe out of pocket expenses.

The Core Design Team provides the following information for the tender.

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS

  • Additional soil and underground CCTV surveys may be required .
  • Foundation Design
  • Drainage Design
  • Structural design on each floor and roofs
  • Retaining wall design if necessary
  • Concrete specification
  • Structural Specification and details

ARCHITECTURAL

  • Appointed by Client as Project Supervisor Design Process
  • Agreement with Client on type of Client / Contractor Contract to be used.
  • Detailed Plans, Sections , Elevations with details and specifications .
  • Layouts indicating locations for heating, cooling, water, light and power, fire , burglar etc etc
  • Specification on materials and workmanship.
  • Preliminary Health and Safety Plan.
  • Management of input from other consultants
  • Management of due diligence of Tendering Contractors
  • Issue of Form of Tender.

SERVICES ENGINEERS – if Applicable

  • Consultation with Public Utilities will be undertaken.
  • Plans and ceiling plans with all services.
  • Internal / external services plans
  • Specifications for the above .

OTHER CONSULTANTS- Interior Design / Lighting/ Landscape/ Specialist – as Applicable

QUANTITY SURVEYOR

On completion of all the design drawings and specifications from the other consultants, the Quantity Surveyor will measure each and every element in the building and create The Bill of Quantities . This will be the basis for the tender and ensure that all contractors price on a ‘like for like basis’. It is also used to cost Variations or changes in the scope of the works during teh construction phase .

Once the Tender is issued , a fixed period is allowed for receipt of completed tenders in 2 parts- (a.) The Form of tender , a one page summary of costs and (b.) The completed Bill of Quantities .

A formal Tendering Procedure  is observed to ensure fairness  with the Completed Bills of Quantities of unsuccessful tenderers  being returned unopened.

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