Slide 1 Caltrans Bridge Construction Forum 2007 Bidding Process and Construction Environment Brian Mapel FCI Constructors Inc. Jeff Abercrombie California Department of Transportation

Slide 2 General Theme Maximize use of contractor and Owner resources required to estimate and build upcoming work. (Increasing industry efficiency)

Slide 3 Bidding Process Lack of information when projects hit the 12 month look ahead results in inefficient use of contractor estimating resources. –Current 12 month look ahead does not provide enough information. –Contractors must rush when the job advertises. –Limited “bid time” increases risk and thus cost. –Bid Opening dates often conflict or overlap.

Slide 4 Bidding Process More effective project design and constructability reviews are needed to maximize project “Cost effectiveness” –Plan and specification errors increase a bidders risk. –Bidder inquiries are not effectively managed by Caltrans (bid it as you see it). –How effective is Caltrans’ QC/QA procedures on the project documents?

Slide 5 Bidding Environment Material markets for most major suppliers are now controlled by global demand. The California market size is not large enough to encourage suppliers to re-tool or make major modifications to their current production processes.

Slide 6 Construction Environment Inconsistent field inspection and field standards are putting a premium on jobs bid in certain districts and making it difficult for industry to standardize operations.

Slide 7 Construction Environment Better utilization of approved means, methods, and procedures across the State will decrease cost of projects to the Owner.

Slide 8 Construction Environment Decisions are not being made in a timely manner at the field level increasing project delays and the overall cost of the work.

Slide 9 Construction Environment Available manpower in both engineering and the trades will not grow as quickly as the volume of work. Manpower efficiency and industry recruiting and retention are critical to optimal pricing and capacity expansion.

Slide 10 Discussion Bidding Process –Look ahead, Improved quality of plans, Market & Supplier Expansion Construction Environment –Consistent field inspection, Use of Approved Mean & Methods, Control moving to out project staff, Shortages of staff

Slide 11 Solutions ?