• Question: Why is bidding engineering services a bad idea?

    Asked by Sarah N x to Ashley, Catherine, John G, Laura, Ray on 12 Nov 2014.
    • Photo: Laura Tobin

      Laura Tobin answered on 12 Nov 2014:


      Astronaut Alan Shepard once said “It’s a very sobering feeling to be up in space and realize that one’s safety factor was determined by the lowest bidder on a government contract.”

      Bidding on engineering services can be both good and bad. When you look at broadband / phone / tv packages, you go for the cheapest option. Bidding means that there’s competition and that in theory should give you the best deal possible. However in an effort to reduce prices, sometimes the competition might cut corners or offer lesser quality. There’s a trade off.

    • Photo: John Ging

      John Ging answered on 12 Nov 2014:


      Its not a bad idea. I welcome alternative methods and approaches.
      Its allowing engineering services to go without appropriate safety standards that could be a bad idea. Too many cowboys can be dangerous.

    • Photo: Ray Alcorn

      Ray Alcorn answered on 16 Nov 2014:


      It’s not a bad idea when done correctly. I have been on both sides of the tendering process. Mostly when we write tenders we accept not on just priced..hat is maybe 30% of the review. We use things such as experience, previous projects, team qualification etc to ensure we get the best value

    • Photo: Ashley Culbert

      Ashley Culbert answered on 16 Nov 2014:


      Bidding engineering services are a great way for a customer to get value of money as long as it is carried out correctly. Most of the large wind farm projects that I have been working follow are required to follow European procurement rules and process. What’s important for us is to ensure that all our needs and requirements are clearly stated in the tender documents because if its not written down its not going to be on the contract.

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