Is Your Design Ready for Accurate Bidding?
Is Your Design Ready for Accurate Bidding?
October 2, 2012 by Taylor Studios
We recently had a client ask us to help them review 80% design drawings to make sure they were realistic to put out to bid for construction drawings, fabrication and installation. We believe it is important to offer a highly detailed bid package in order to not be bit later by change orders. A bidder could come in unrealistically low to win the job and then charge for anything not detailed in the RFP. Here is an edited version of what we offered this client after reviewing their drawings:
a. Resolve pose inconsistencies between the narrative, specimen list, and drawings.
b. Resolve quantity inconsistencies between the narrative, specimen list, and drawings. Clarify who is responsible for the installation/positioning of the Museum provided mounted taxidermy specimens.
c. Provide detail requirement level for each model. For example, models in the foreground require a high level of detail and models in the background or overhead require a lower level of detail. If a high level of detail is not required for all models, the overall model cost will be reduced.
d. Provide detailed background mural descriptions. Include fabrication method requirements, style reference photos, land feature descriptions, overall mural dimensions, specimen names and quantities and video projection area dimensions and placement.
e. Provide requirements for fabricator provided color, finish, and texture materials samples. For example, identify which diorama features and/or models require sample submissions, identify the quantity and size of samples the Museum requires, and identify the number of business days the Museum will require to review, comment, and/or approve the samples.
f. Provide requirements for fabricator provided shop drawings and/or as-built drawings. For example, identify what exhibit components require shop drawing and/or as-built drawings, identify the desired drawings details (e.g. plan view, elevation, section/detail, size, scale), identify the acceptable format of drawing submission (e.g. digital PDF or DWG format, hardcopy format), identify the quantity if hardcopy format is desired, and identify the number of business days the Museum will require to review, comment, and/or approve the drawings.
g. Provide requirements for fabricator provided closeout, maintenance, and warranty binders. For example, identify the required information, deliverable format (e.g. digital or hardcopy), and quantities.
h. Provide requirements for fabricator provided warranty performance period. For example, specify the number of years for the warranty coverage, and the required response timeframe for each warranty claim.
i. Provide requirements and specifications for acrylic vitrines. For example, specify the required thickness, ultraviolet properties, and seam qualities.
j. Provide requirements for progress submittals and approvals of models and dioramas. For example, specify fabricator requirements to produce, submit, and obtain approval of suggested poses, scale models, rough white stage, final white stage, and post cast.
k. Provide requirements for project management. For example, identify requirements for quality control processes, scheduling, conference calls, onsite meetings and progress reporting.
l. Provide requirements for fabrication specifications, materials, and methods. For example, to ensure the desired level quality, provide specifications similar to the National Park Service Fabrication Specifications. A copy of these specifications can be found here:
m. Provide a bid template / form for all contractors to use for the pricing submission. The form should be broken down as much as possible to ensure all components are bid by each contractor and to allow for easier comparison bids by the museum.