Navigating a complex tender process with Critical Input: A case study

When faced with a complex tender process that requires multi-disciplinary expertise, it can be overwhelming to determine the best strategy to ensure a successful outcome. 

Recently, a client engaged Critical Input to run a complex tender process for an environmental improvement project at their site.

The scope of works was established prior to our engagement and was multi-disciplinary, containing approximately Civil (70%), Mechanical/Piping (20%) and Electrical and Instrumentation (10%) works.

As the majority of the scope was civil, Critical Input provided strategic guidance to our client on a suitable approach that would take into account the large civil piece.

Critical Input had to take the following factors into consideration when deciding on a suitable strategy due to the complex nature of the scope:

• Interface Risk: The scope was intertwined and required parallel disciplines to be working in parallel construction activities. This increased the risk of interface issues arising, which could result in significant delays and additional costs.
• Schedule Delays: With multiple mobilisations and nonsequential/disrupted working, the project’s duration could increase, causing delays and additional costs.
• Contractor Costs: Additional costs of overheads would arise across three disciplines (Civil, mechanical & electrical) if multiple contractors were engaged.
• Owners Costs: Additional supervision would be required to manage multiple contractors, resulting in additional costs for the owner.
• Accountability: With multiple contractors involved, there would be no single point of accountability if the project was completed by multiple contractors, which could lead to communication issues and potential delays.
• Economies of Scale: Awarding a large scope to a single contractor would result in economies of scale type savings, with less resources required to complete the project compared to using three contractors.
• Overhead Costs: The project management and other site overhead costs would increase due to multiple sub-projects under multiple contractors.

We provided support around the bid list and tender process. Once tender submissions were received, we led the evaluation process and worked through clarifications with stakeholders to ensure a recommendation for award was accepted without issue.

Thanks to our strategic approach and support throughout the process, the project is currently underway. Don’t let a complex tender process hold you back. Contact Critical Input for our expert support.