Factors in the selection of contractors for engineering works

Clarke, Lauren Elizabeth (2007) Factors in the selection of contractors for engineering works. [USQ Project]

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Abstract

[Abstract]: This project is on the factors used in the selection of contractors for engineering works.

Traditionally, the selection of contractors was based simply on price. The problem with this approach is that the lowest priced bid doesn’t necessarily represent the best value for money. The appropriate consideration of non-price factors together with price in the selection process can improve the probability that the project will be successful.

Whilst many practitioners now also include non-price factors in considerations to select contractors, methodologies for this consideration and the factors used vary greatly. The author’s research was unable to locate industry-wide standards that would help practitioners to achieve best practice. This project identifies how this gap
may be filled for a particular range of values of projects.
The project work undertaken incorporates literature-based research and a questionnaire that was completed by 10 experienced industry professionals. It also includes two case studies where the full sets of tender documents were reviewed. One of these projects was current and the author was able to assess the submissions prior to the sitting of the tender evaluation panel. The other project was examined as the contract was let based on price and is a good example of the problems that can occur by using this method of selection.

The results of the questionnaire was examined further and combined with the knowledge gained through this research to produce sample checklists of factors and weightings that could be applied to different types of projects. This gives an indication of what factors are important and how they might be assessed to achieve best value for money whilst minimising unnecessary cost to industry.

Further such research may be beneficial to the construction industry in relation to projects of greater value and delivered through more innovative contracting approaches such as Public Private Partnerships.


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Item Type: USQ Project
Refereed: No
Item Status: Live Archive
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: Historic - Faculty of Engineering and Surveying - Department of Agricultural, Civil and Environmental Engineering (Up to 30 Jun 2013)
Date Deposited: 07 Mar 2008 04:02
Last Modified: 02 Jul 2013 22:59
Uncontrolled Keywords: contractors; selection of contractors; construction industry management; project management
Fields of Research (2008): 09 Engineering > 0905 Civil Engineering > 090502 Construction Engineering
15 Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services > 1503 Business and Management > 150305 Human Resources Management
Fields of Research (2020): 40 ENGINEERING > 4005 Civil engineering > 400504 Construction engineering
35 COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT, TOURISM AND SERVICES > 3505 Human resources and industrial relations > 350503 Human resources management
URI: https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/3984

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