Spotting Specs Offenders
About 80% of all specification related litigation is brought about by three different personality types all too common to construction projects. The problem is specifications abuse, when...
An Automated Database System for Construction Bidding
A number of probability-based bidding models have been developed to assist a contractor in preparing bids that improve chances of winning over the competition. Models based on utility...
Arches For A Parkway
The final phase of construction on the Natchez Trace Parkway (which follows a centuries-old 450 mi trail between Natchez, Miss. and Nashville, Tenn.) is nearing completion almost 60 years...
Overhead and Profit on Change Orders
Have you ever wondered how many change orders it took to build the Egyptian pyramids or the Great Wall of China? The concepts of overhead, profit, and change orders have been around for...
Rethinking the Competitive Bid
Concern that the U.S. construction industry is losing its competitive edge is nothing new. Ironically, the problem is not so much rooted in foreign technical expertise as it is in our...
Connecting With DOTs
Want to bid on projects from state departments of transportation? First make sure your firm can translate computer-assisted drafting (CAD) drawings into different computer file formats....
Unit Pricing and Unbalanced Bids
Unit price contracts were meant to provide a simple and equitable way to pay contractors. However, to offset the uncertainties inherent in construction, contractors unbalance bid items....
The Strategy of Bidding for Profit
The ultimate goal of any contractor engaged in competitive bidding is to achieve the maximum profits possible on the jobs he bids, under the prevailing competitive conditions. By systematically...
Time/Cost Bidding
This paper presents the details of a relatively new and innovative approach to determining the low bidder on highway construction contracts. In the cost and time method each bidder proposes...
Avoiding and Resolving Disputes during Construction
Successful Practices and Guidelines
Public/Private Ventures?Southern California
Recreational small craft harbors in Southern California have been and continue to be big business and were forerunners to government's current interest in generating new revenue...
Overhauling and Opening to Traffic of a Toll Tunnel in Marseilles (France)
The city of Marseilles called for bids for overhauling and opening to traffic an old unused railway tunnel, under the very center of the city. The tender scheme was a concession. The paper...
Avoiding and Resolving Disputes in Underground Construction
Successful Practices and Guidelines
A method of developing cooperative, problem-solving attitudes on projects through a basic risk sharing philosophy between owner and contractor is presented. Special contracting provisions...
Contracting for Quality Facilities
Currently, Department of Defense (DoD) contracting for facilities is done almost exclusively with sealed-bid solicitations, low-bid awards, and firm-fixed-price (FFP) contracts. Quality...
The Cougar Project?Turbine Runner Replacement
The Cougar turbine runners have been subjected to a substantial amount of cavitation damage which has required repair by welding. The continued welding repair has subsequently resulted...
Economic Evaluation of Replacement Turbine Runner Bids
Many owners of hydro facilities are investigating increasing plant capacity and output by upgrading existing hydraulic turbines. Typically, the owner will conduct a detailed feasibility...
Design/Construct Contract Speeds Bridge Job
In the name of time and money savings, Pennsylvania DOT is building a bridge using a modified turnkey contract. In contrast, the standard approach is first to design the bridge, then ask...
Costing Contingencies
Estimating the cost of constructing a tunnel is an art rather than a science. The unknowns are too great to predict costs relianblbly. On the other hand, owners need cost estimates in...
A CM Multiple Contracting Cost Model
The original purpose for construction management was cost savings through time savings and efficient operations. As the CM system expanded in use and scope of services other very significant...
Design Flexibility Cuts Costs
The Los Angeles Water Department saved $5 million on a pipeline project by investigating the capabilities of pipe fabricators to furnish the pipe size required and by being open to alternate...
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