Have you ever wondered what it is like inside a GC’s office on Bid Day? Come and learn what it is all about with some hands-on experience. Multiple bids coming in at once, are they complete? Who is low? Try to review the flurry of faxes and get your bid in on time as you compete against your colleagues for the most accurate bid.
This month’s program is an interactive competition based on compiling a general bid from several sub bids. Players form teams of 3-4, and the Bid Master will distribute “faxes” containing sub-bid information at random intervals. Your team needs to review the sub bids for accuracy, completeness and exclusions, ultimately building your general bid from the lowest responsible and eligible sub bids. Originally developed by the Portland, Oregon chapter of CSI, this participation-based program is a proven good time, and a welcome break from your typical lunch-and-learn lecture.
There’s something to learn here for everyone. Architects – want to understand the impact addenda have on the folks compiling their bids? GCs – think you’re the best at bidding work because you do that routinely? Let’s see if you get beaten by the Architects. Subs, manufacturer’s reps and vendors – see what the effect of changing your bid or sending out incomplete quotes has on the overall bid process.
The program is approved by the AIA for 1 HSW continuing education credit. After participating in this program, attendees will be able to:
- Participants will be able to identify the different components that make up a subcontractor bids.
- Describe the experience of being a general contractor on bid day.
- Compare how different project delivery methods affect how a bid is prepared, and how the project will be managed.
- This class will clarify the role the general contractor plays in preparing the bid and preparing for construction after the bid is won.
Each team should plan to bring one laptop running Microsoft Excel, for inputting bid amounts into the bid form spreadsheet, along with paper, pencils and highlighters. Don’t have a computer with Excel? Let us know in advance and we can help out with that. Don’t have a team? That’s no problem either – we can pair you with other solo players. No experience as a contractor or estimator is needed.