11. Procurement and Tendering Level 3

Question 1

Can you tell me advantages of traditional procurement?

Question 2

What is traditional procurement?

Question 3

Can you tell me disadvantages of traditional procurement?

Question 4

Can you tell me advantages of design and build procurement?

Question 5

What is design and build procurement?

Question 6

Can you tell me disadvantages of Design and build procurement?

Answer 6

Clients may find it hard to prepare a sufficiently comprehensive brief.
Variations from the original brief are difficult to arrange and are often expensive.
It is harder to compare tenders and harder to determine whether value for money is being achieved

Question 7

On Mercury House why did you advise on design and build?

Question 8

What else could you have advised on?

Answer 8

I could have also considered management contracting.

This would allow shorter programme time by letting out early packages and starting on site

However you had to consider cost certaintiy wouldn’t be achieved until last package is let out.

Question 9

On the CMP project you advised on who the winning contractor should be, tell me how you did that.

Question 10

What were the weighted scores?

Question 11

How do you determine the weighting of the scores?

Question 12

What did you include in the procurement report on CMP?

Question 13

How did you inform the unsuccessful contractors?

Question 14

On the Capital Maintenance Project framework, you were required to produce a procurement report and advise which contractor should be awarded the tender. Can you elaborate on how you compiled the commercial and technical scores to rank the contractors?

Answer 14

I compiled the commercial and technical scores by evaluating each contractor’s performance against predetermined criteria and weightings.
For commercial scores, I assessed factors such as pricing, contractual terms, and financial stability, assigning scores based on compliance and competitiveness.
Technical scores were determ
ined by evaluating factors such as experience, qualifications, and proposed methodologies, assigning scores based on capability and suitability for the project.
These scores were then weighted according to their importance and aggregated to produce an overall ranking of contractors, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of each bidder’s suitability for the project.

Question 15

How did you use this information to draft the successful and unsuccessful letters and advise the delivery team?

Answer 15

The compiled commercial and technical scores provided a clear basis for drafting the successful and unsuccessful letters.

For successful letters, I highlighted the contractor with the highest overall score, emphasizing their strengths and suitability for the project based on their performance in both commercial and technical aspects.

Conversely, for unsuccessful letters, I provided constructive feedback to each contractor, identifying areas where they fell short and explaining how their scores compared to the selected contractor.

Presenting this information to the delivery team allowed for informed decision-making, as I could articulate the rationale behind the recommended contractor selection and address any concerns or questions raised by team members.

By providing a comprehensive analysis of each bidder’s performance and recommending the most suitable contractor, I facilitated a smooth and transparent procurement process for the Capital Maintenance Project framework.

Question 16

On the Mercury House project, you recommended a design and build procurement route over the traditional route typically preferred by your client. Can you explain how you balanced the advantages of this approach, such as the overlap of design and construction, with the potential drawbacks, such as reduced client control over the design?

Answer 16

I balanced the advantages and potential drawbacks by carefully considering the project’s primary goal, which was time-sensitive delivery for the client.
While acknowledging the benefits of the design and build approach, such as the overlap of design and construction leading to shortened timelines, I also highlighted the potential drawback of reduced client control over the design.
To mitigate this concern, I emphasized the importance of clear communication and collaboration between the client and the design and build contractor throughout the project.
By maintaining open lines of communication, the client could still provide input and feedback during the design phase, ensuring that their key requirements and preferences were considered.
Ultimately, I presented the design and build approach as a strategic decision aimed at maximizing the chances of meeting the key date while acknowledging and addressing any potential drawbacks related to reduced client control over the design aspect.

Question 17

In the Mercury House project, you advocated for a design and build procurement route to save time. What were the key factors that led you to this decision, and how did you manage the potential trade-offs regarding design control and quality?

Answer 17

The primary factor driving the decision for a design and build procurement route was the project’s time-sensitive nature, with the key goal being timely completion to meet client requirements.
By opting for design and build, we aimed to capitalize on the inherent overlap of design and construction phases, which typically leads to expedited project timelines compared to traditional procurement routes.
In managing the potential trade-offs, particularly regarding design control and quality, clear communication and collaboration were prioritized.
We ensured that the client’s key requirements and preferences were thoroughly communicated to the design and build contractor, allowing for their integration into the project’s design phase.
Additionally, regular progress reviews and client consultations were conducted throughout the project to maintain transparency and address any concerns regarding design control and quality.
By fostering a collaborative environment and emphasizing client involvement, we aimed to strike a balance between achieving project efficiency and maintaining satisfactory levels of design control and quality.