I get a bid package for a small project, its 50 plus pages, not a spec book or a plan set........nope just 50 plus pages of repeating legaleaze.
The problem I had was that no where in all the pile of papers was anything that outlined the job parameters, just a crude drawing and a checklist of "items" so unspecific that the job could easily triple depending on what the company wants. It's impossible to bid without making a bunch of guesses.
Soooo......on the phone with the agent and she has no idea, and she isn't happy with all the paper work either (kinda feel sorry for her dealing with all that), just that it's how company lawyers (and regulators) have mandated they do things. I wonder who they paid to write all that stuff, no doubt it cost waaayyyy more than the job they are asking to be bid on.
I often wonder if they get paid by the word.
I had to fit this on an 11x17 mylar for submission for a waterways license:
Stephen R. Seymour Trustee of the Sharon R. Seymour Qualified Personal Real Estate Trust, 1/2 interest and Sharon R. Seymour Trustee of the Stephen R. Seymour Qualified Personal Real Estate Trust, 1/2 interest.
It was years ago, but I still remember the paragraph to describe the Official owner of record.
don't you hate those, but whatever is on the deed, I just put that on the drawings.:-(
Looking at the bid package, I was off on the 50 pages, there are actually more, 26 pages of definitions alone. Then there is the light bulb policy, how to operate a crane safely, I suppose I need to know that while I'm staking a mile of right of way in the middle of no where. 😛
Even if you are desperate for work getting involved in a project that poorly defined is a recipe for disaster. Only business like way to respond is with written request for a list of clarifications and a list of documents necessary to define the scope of services requested. Clearly state that without these documents you are only able to respond with time and materials costs for a list of services you are capable of providing. It is better to walk away from some jobs than to deal with the headaches of ill defined tasks and contested billings that often result.
Many times the project is ill defined because the person that put the package together is clueless. I like to talk to the potential client and ask where do you want to be at the end of the day? I have had some success defining the items that are in the scope that will be provided and the items that are excluded. Anything not listed in my estimate is an additional fee. Many times they will add or delete items in the estimate. What is important is that the contract has the scope with the appropriate fee. Many times people just don't know how to ask for what they really need. Of course sometimes, they do not wish to be confused with the facts and just take the lowest price.
There are a million ways to go on these. A qualified scope with T and M rates for changes is about the only productive approach I see. I have gotten projects as the high bidder when the group awarding it realized I was the only one submitting with a clue about the sequence of construction...
Well, this is one I want, I will buy it if I have too.;-)
I will write my bid so they can have some choices, make it what I would like to see with options, only problem is it needs to be done monday:-(
> Well, this is one I want, I will buy it if I have too.;-)
>
Very old saying "Be careful what you wish for!" Given that, I worked for a construction company and the owner loved this type of job. Would bit the well defined items tight and the modifications and extra items at 1.5 times normal time and material rates. On one job the extras made more profit than the rest of the job.