WHAT GOES ON IN A TENDER PROCESS?

Is the work of an Architect to just design?

Is there any benefit to opting for tender at all?

And what exactly is tender?

No, the work of an Architect is not just designing, tender documentation is a large part of the job.

While there are clients who choose to do a design & build for their project, there are also other considerations as to why clients would opt for the traditional tender process.

In this article, we summarize the tender process in 5 succinct points.

1. Tender Issuance

Upon finalisation of the design, the Architect will produce the contract drawings also known as tender documentation or construction drawings. This set of consultants-prepared contract drawings and documents will be issued to pre-qualified contractors who have been invited to participate in tender. These are issued on the same day to all contractors.

2. Tender Period

The tender period will be an approximate 2-4 weeks (for low-medium project complexity). Contractors can submit any tender queries which will be clarified and addressed to all tenderers before the tender closes.

3. Tender Closing & Evaluation

On the tender closing day, each contractor will submit their sealed tender documents, usually to the Architect’s office. These will be opened with witnesses and further evaluated by the consultants in a tender summary.

4. Tender Interviews

Following the results of tender, tender interviews for selected contractors will be conducted, after which the most suitable contractor will be recommended by the consultants. Read more about the role of project consultants here.

5. Tender Award

The client and the contractor will enter into the agreed building contract with the Architect as contract administrator.