Procurement & Tendering

Question 1

What factors influence your decision on recommending a procurement route?

Answer 1

For example on project X, during procurement strategy discussions the factors which influenced the procurement route included the specifics of the project and the client objectives regarding cost, time, control, quality, and risk.

Question 2

What were the learning outcomes from your Arcadis procurement and tendering CPD session?

Answer 2

• Focus was on design and build and traditional procurement routes highlighting D&B carry’s less client risk however a traditional approach can lead to a more robust design.

Question 3

Please tell me how you would pull together a set of tender documentation?

Answer 3

• In accordance with JCT practice note 2017 I would include:

ITT (Invitation to tender letter)
Form of tender
Pricing documentation
Drawings and specification
Pre-construction H&S information.
Conditions of proposed contract.

Question 4

How do you decide how many contractors are included within the tender process?

Answer 4

JCT Practice Note recommends between 3-6 but no more than 4 for a design and build project.

Question 5

How did you ensure a fair and transparent tender process on the Project X?

Answer 5

• We insured that all contractors had view of every query being asked through the tender query matrix.
• Although we ensured to keep the process confidential, to ensure a fair process every contractor could see answers to every different question being asked.

Question 6

Talk me over the steps you went through after receiving the tender returns?

Answer 6

For example on the Google Expansion Project,

• Once all the tenders had been received, I conducted a detailed review to ensure all scope was accounted for in each tender and an accurate comparison for each return.
• Additionally, I also reviewed all the qualifications and exclusions provided.

Question 7

What is the purpose of the preliminaries document?

Answer 7

• Provides a description of the project that allows the contractor to assess costs which cannot be allocated to a specific element of works
• This will include a general summary, method statements, pre-construction information, planning conditions and section/phasing of the work.

Question 8

Did you find there were any benefits to a negotiated tender?

Answer 8

• One benefit to the client on the google expansion of a negotiated tender was that the contractor had successfully carried out a previous project for them on track and under budget.
• Although a negotiated tender lacks any price competitiveness the client has the piece of mind knowing a reliable and competent contractor is employed to carry out the works.

Question 9

What were some of the headings included within your tender recommendation report?

Answer 9

On Project X the headings included:

• Executive Summary
• Introduction and Overview
• Technical and Commercial Tender Evaluation
• Conclusion

Question 10

Describe to me how you approached the procurement strategy call with the client?

Answer 10

For example on project X, during procurement strategy discussions the factors which influenced the procurement route included the specifics of the project and the client objectives regarding cost, time, control, quality, and risk.

• Identifying what is most important out of the factors discussed is imperative in order to recommend the appropriate procurement method.

Question 11

Does a design and build procurement route hold any other benefits to the client?

Answer 11

• There is a single point of responsibility for the design and construction.
• There is earlier commencement on site.
• Contractor’s experience harnessed during the design phase.