The importance of a comprehensive tender program

With an ever-increasing number of construction and infrastructure projects in the pipeline, Tracey Brunstrom & Hammond’s (TBH) Brad Giller shares the significance of a tender program in delivering a successful project.

By Brad Giller, Director – Australia, TBH.

The tender program is one of the most important programs in a construction project’s lifecycle. Yet it is often prepared in a high-pressure environment where deadlines are tight, and information is incomplete.

It does more than simply establish the project timeframe – it serves as the contractor’s plan for delivering the project and communicating its intentions to the client. Until a contract program is established, the tender program will typically act as the contract program, providing the basis for change and delay assessment.

For this reason, it’s vital that the tender program is based on sound logic, reflects the contractor’s plans, and is compliant with the contract and tender conditions. A well-prepared tender program can also provide an edge in the bidding process by enabling accurate pricing of time-based preliminaries and demonstrating the tenderer’s intended delivery methodology for the project.

Key considerations when preparing a tender program

Here are some guidelines to follow when preparing a tender program to ensure its quality and increase the chances of a successful submission and project:

• Start focusing on the methodology early in the tender period.
• Understand the contract conditions under which the project will be delivered and ensure they are addressed in the tender program.
• Document the assumptions on which the program is based, including inputs from the client or third parties.
• Ensure that the tender program describes the intended delivery/construction methodology and can be achieved with available resources.
• Understand the allocation of delay risk under the contract and make appropriate allowance.

A good tender program provides clarity and transparency, giving management teams insight into the project’s feasibility and potential risks. By following the rules outlined above, a tender submission has a greater chance of success and provides the client with confidence in the contractor’s ability to deliver the project.

TBH has the knowledge and expertise to develop programs that result in successful outcomes.

Brad Giller has over 25 years’ experience in planning and control on a range of projects and has applied these skills in construction and ICT project environments. Brad’s background in construction engineering informs his project planning with a real-life appreciation of project methodology and construction techniques. Brad has been responsible for leading multi-disciplinary project team workshops to facilitate development of integrated design, procurement, construction, fit out and commissioning programs. He regularly provides project progress monitoring for contractors and their clients, analysing the effects of changes and delays. Brad also provides expert advice in construction disputes. Brad has lectured in programming at University of NSW and also provides programming training for TBH clients.

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Inside Construction – The importance of a comprehensive tender program