Traditional methods of managing subcontractor bids can be inefficient and unreliable. Bid management software can help to save time, improve efficiency and support better decision-making
Managing subcontractor bids is a critical part of the planning process for any construction project. However, the traditional manual methods of receiving bids, such as email and document upload websites, can be time-consuming and inefficient.
This can lead to missed connections, frustration and delays.
Fortunately, there is now a wealth of construction bid management software available that can streamline the process and improve communication between all parties involved. This software can help you to:
- Create and send bid invitations.
- Receive and track bids.
- Compare bids side-by-side.
- Negotiate with subcontractors.
- Generate contracts.
By using construction bid management software, you can save time, improve efficiency, and make better decisions about your subcontractor bids.
Why use construction bid management software?
Subcontractor bid management software is a valuable tool for contractors and construction companies that regularly bid on subcontractor work.
Benefits of using subcontractor bid management software include:
- Speeds up the bidding process: Subcontractor bid management software can automate many of the tasks involved in the bidding process.
- Improves the accuracy of your bids: Subcontractor bid management software can help you ensure that your bids are accurate and compliant with the project’s requirements. This can help you avoid costly mistakes and improve your chances of winning the bid.
- Increases visibility across your teams and processes: Subcontractor bid management software can help you track bids and subcontractor relationships, giving you greater visibility into the bidding process.
- Improves decision-making in your construction projects: Subcontractor bid management software can help you make informed decisions about which subcontractors to hire by comparing bids side-by-side and taking into account your past experiences with them.
If you are a contractor or construction company that regularly bids on subcontractor work, then subcontractor bid management software is a valuable investment that can help you improve your efficiency, accuracy, visibility an decision-making.
What are the different types of construction bidding software?
The manual approach
The manual approach to subcontractor bid management is a common method used by contractors who do not have access to subcontractor bid management software.
This method involves sending requests for tender and relevant documents via email using services such as DropBox and WeTransfer.
While this method is free, it has several limitations, including:
Files are only live for a limited amount of time. This means that subcontractors who open their emails later may never be able to access the documents.
Subcontractors may need to sign up or log in to services or enter passwords to view the documents. This can be a hassle for subcontractors and can lead to delays in the bidding process.
Free versions of these services have limits on how much can be uploaded, how many emails can be sent, and how often files can be accessed.
This can be restrictive for contractors who need to send large amounts of data or who have a large number of subcontractors to manage.
Invitations to tender or subcontractor bids can be lost in a spam folder and never recovered.
This can be a major problem if a contractor does not receive a bid from a subcontractor they were hoping to work with.
Overall, the manual approach to subcontractor bid management can be inefficient and unreliable.
Using online enquiries as part of your construction estimating software
Online enquiries are a useful feature of some construction estimating software that can
help contractors save time and improve the efficiency of their bidding process.
Online enquiries allow contractors to create document packages and requirements that are lifted directly from their estimates.
Online enquiries also allow contractors to integrate with contact lists, so they can
easily send out bid requests to their subcontractors. This can help contractors get more bids faster, which can give them a better chance of winning the project.
In addition, online enquiries often include useful features such as letter templates that can be easily edited with essential inputs and side-by-side comparisons of bids.
This can help contractors save time and make better decisions about which subcontractors to hire.
Overall, online enquiries are a valuable tool for contractors that can help them save time,
improve efficiency, and get more bids.
Document management systems
Document management systems (DMS) are a popular option for subcontractor bid management because they can help contractors centralise and secure documents. However, there are some challenges associated with using DMS for subcontractor bid management, including:
Version control: DMS can be difficult to use for version control, as different team members may save different versions of documents in different places. This can lead to confusion and errors when it comes to putting together bid packages.
Accessibility: DMS are typically internal systems, which can make it difficult for subcontractors to access bid requests.This can lead to delays in the bidding process.
Features: DMS are not specifically designed for subcontractor bid management, so they may lack features that are important for this process, such as the ability to track bids and compare bids side-by-side.
If you are considering using a DMS for subcontractor bid management, it is important
to be aware of these challenges and to choose a system that is well-suited for your needs.
Using construction management software
Construction management software systems that include subcontractor bid management as an integrated module are another option for main contractors.
These systems are specifically built for the task of subcontractor bid management and offer a wide range of features, including:
Bid tracking: Contractors can track bids and keep track of who has responded.
Automation: Contractors can automate many of the tasks involved in the bidding process, such as sending out bid requests and creating bid packages.
Integration: Contractors can integrate the data from their subcontractor bid management system with other modules in their construction management software, such as estimating and preconstruction.
However, these systems require a large amount of initial investment and time from
construction companies. The implementation process can be long and often delayed, as all data from across the business needs to be calibrated into the system.
Construction bid management software – Part of Access ConQuest
Access ConQuest is a leading construction estimating software that includes a module for subcontractor bid management. This module allows contractors to lift data directly from a bill of quantities and create bid packages that are sent to subcontractors. The bids are then tracked and managed in the system.
Access ConQuest is popular with subcontractors because it is easy to use and secure.
Subcontractors can access bid packages and documents remotely, and they can track their bids in the system. Access ConQuest users report a 20% increase in return tenders when they use the subcontractor bid management module.
Click here or search “Access bid management” online to read more about how Access ConQuest can transform your subcontractor bid management process.
Carol Massay
Digital Content Manager
The Access Group
Tel +44 0845 345 3300
carol.massay@theaccessgroup.com
www.theaccessgroup.com
*Please note: This is a commercial profile.
