Caltrans Bridge Construction Forum 2007

1. Slide 1 Caltrans Bridge Construction Forum2007 Bidding Process and Construction Environment

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

3. 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. Problems: 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. Discussion: Provide Specs. and basic plan sheets when job hits 12 month look ahead rather than wait until it advertises. Allows contractors to determine if they are interested in a job in a more time effective manner rather than a massive rush when the job advertises. Allows contractors to focus more intently on the jobs they actually will bid. Increases bid preparation time. Owner gets a better price. Districts should coordinate Bid Dates more effectively to avoid overlap Problems: 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. Discussion: Provide Specs. and basic plan sheets when job hits 12 month look ahead rather than wait until it advertises. Allows contractors to determine if they are interested in a job in a more time effective manner rather than a massive rush when the job advertises. Allows contractors to focus more intently on the jobs they actually will bid. Increases bid preparation time. Owner gets a better price. Districts should coordinate Bid Dates more effectively to avoid overlap

4. 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? Problems: 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? Discussion: 1. Designs need to be better scrutinized for cost effectiveness. (Design efficiency vs. Construction efficiency) 2. Constructability reviewers need the influence to get recommendations implemented with out political pressure of RTL. 3. Caltrans should qualitatively measure its QC/QA procedures. 4. Could the Industry participate in the reviews? Does Industry have their own �check list� for missing items that could be incorporated into our own? Problems: 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? Discussion: 1. Designs need to be better scrutinized for cost effectiveness. (Design efficiency vs. Construction efficiency) 2. Constructability reviewers need the influence to get recommendations implemented with out political pressure of RTL. 3. Caltrans should qualitatively measure its QC/QA procedures. 4. Could the Industry participate in the reviews? Does Industry have their own �check list� for missing items that could be incorporated into our own?

5. 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. In other words; most suppliers are not driven by local markets. Caltrans needs to scrutinize specifications and processes in an effort to encourage supplier participation and cost effective pricing. 1. Steel Pipe Pile, Reinforcing steel, Concrete performance requirements. 2. Use standard �shelf� items as much as possible in designs. Stay away from �unique� materials as much as possible. 3. What is the current �market standards�? In other words; most suppliers are not driven by local markets. Caltrans needs to scrutinize specifications and processes in an effort to encourage supplier participation and cost effective pricing. 1. Steel Pipe Pile, Reinforcing steel, Concrete performance requirements. 2. Use standard �shelf� items as much as possible in designs. Stay away from �unique� materials as much as possible. 3. What is the current �market standards�?

6. 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.

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

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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 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

11. Slide 11 Solutions ?