Bidder
When a firm such as a contractor or other supplier in the construction industry wants to secure work for its business, it will usually submit a proposal (a ‘tender’, 'quote' or ‘bid’) to a prospective client and in so doing becomes a ‘bidder’. The bid is a detailed description of how the supplier will manage and complete the works required if chosen by the client. If the bid is successful, the supplier will be selected to carry out the work.
In bidding for the project, suppliers usually try to submit their lowest possible price for consideration by the awarding body (the client). However, this may not be the sole criterion in selection as the supplier's experience, qualifications, availability, quality and so on may also be considered.
There are numerous ways of becoming a bidder but traditionally the main ways are:
- Invitation to tender (ITT): the client selects a group of suppliers and invites them to tender (bid) for the project by releasing details against which the tenderers assess the works required. They will include their price for supplying the goods or services along with proposals for how the client’s requirements will be satisfied. Bids must be submitted by a specified deadline.
- Call for tenders: project owners (clients) release project information to contractors and sub-contractors in an attempt to solicit bids. This can include public announcements advertising the project and making published construction data available to any interested parties.
Public projects or publicly-subsidised projects may be subject to OJEU procurement procedures (this may change when the UK leaves the EU). The regulations set out rules requiring that contracts must be advertised in the Official Journal of the EU (OJEU). The OJEU can therefore constitute a useful tool by which potential bidders are made aware of up-and-coming projects.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Best value.
- Bid evaluation.
- Bid writer.
- Common mistakes in construction tenders.
- Compliant bid.
- E-procurement.
- How to prepare tender documents.
- Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT).
- Non-compliant tender.
- OJEU procurement rules.
- Pre-qualification questionnaire.
- Pre-tender interviews.
- Procurement route.
- Selection criteria.
- Specification.
- Tender.
- Tender documentation.
- Tender evaluation.
- Tender pricing document.
- Tender settlement meeting.
- Things to avoid when tendering.
Featured articles and news
A bridge between Scotland and Northern Ireland
What's the verdict from the court of public opinion?
Open plan living falls out of fashion
Shift to home-based work influences closed plan preferences.
The UK heating industry and the Brexit transition
An overview of the current state of the market.
UEFA guide to renovating football training facilities
Organisation offers best practices for construction and modification.
Heritage on the edge?
Prioritising tax considerations.
Reviewing the Double Diamond Design model
The four D creative process: discover, define, develop and deliver.
National Cyber Security Centre initiative is announced.
The impact of COVID-19 on global HVAC&R markets
Reviewing trends and projections.
Legislation will establish initiatives to move towards net zero.
Status determination statement
How to document contractor employment status.
Social distancing goes high tech
Tech tools to help manage people and space post-pandemic.
Eclectic Edwardian architecture
A style that ranges from mock Tudor to arts and crafts to the 'Wrenaissance'.
Free guide from Secured by Design.