Comments for Oh, By The Way... http://blog.tempestcompany.com Wed, 30 Jun 2010 18:17:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ Comment on What’s All the Fuss About This BIM Thing? by Brian Myers http://blog.tempestcompany.com/2010/06/30/what%e2%80%99s-all-the-fuss-about-this-bim-thing/comment-page-1/#comment-279 Brian Myers Wed, 30 Jun 2010 18:17:00 +0000 http://blog.tempestcompany.com/?p=1031#comment-279 It seems like your greatest concern is that estimators are not included effectively in the BIM process? For Architects and Engineers proper BIM process has been proven to reduce RFI's and change orders. I know one engineering firm that has cut down their CD product time by 30% and an architect that is realizing an 11% savings in total cost (internal) by working using BIM processes. Point being, these are not exceptions to the rule but companies that prove the rule and have seen benefits. I agree that estimators have had to think about these things for decades and that the software to support them has been slow in adoption. But companies such as Vico and Innovaya have begun to change that and incorporating these technologies in the estimating process will soon reap benefits for estimators as well. This doesn't mean that BIM isn't a lot of work...its waaaaay more work than most people suggest (easily as much work as you do today and requires more knowledge)but the accuracy of your work and the way everyone can exchange information more appropriately leads to the ultimate benefits of a BIM workflow. Your points (improved education, etc) are very valid, but that's also what BIM is about...getting information into the hands of the most skilled individuals to do their jobs, and the software/processes are still improving to empower you to do that. It seems like your greatest concern is that estimators are not included effectively in the BIM process?

For Architects and Engineers proper BIM process has been proven to reduce RFI’s and change orders. I know one engineering firm that has cut down their CD product time by 30% and an architect that is realizing an 11% savings in total cost (internal) by working using BIM processes. Point being, these are not exceptions to the rule but companies that prove the rule and have seen benefits.

I agree that estimators have had to think about these things for decades and that the software to support them has been slow in adoption. But companies such as Vico and Innovaya have begun to change that and incorporating these technologies in the estimating process will soon reap benefits for estimators as well. This doesn’t mean that BIM isn’t a lot of work…its waaaaay more work than most people suggest (easily as much work as you do today and requires more knowledge)but the accuracy of your work and the way everyone can exchange information more appropriately leads to the ultimate benefits of a BIM workflow. Your points (improved education, etc) are very valid, but that’s also what BIM is about…getting information into the hands of the most skilled individuals to do their jobs, and the software/processes are still improving to empower you to do that.

]]> Comment on Low Bid – Biggest Mistake – Everyone Loses? by John Templer http://blog.tempestcompany.com/2009/04/20/low-bid-biggest-mistake-everyone-loses/comment-page-1/#comment-256 John Templer Fri, 07 May 2010 18:57:10 +0000 http://blog.tempestcompany.com/?p=236#comment-256 Iowa law provides relief for a contractor who is the apparent low bidder due to a mistake in its bid. However, in order to withdraw its bid, the contractor 1) must give notice to the Owner immediately that there is a mistake in the bid; 2) demonstrate the nature of the mistake (such as forgetting to include the painter's subbid price); 3) demonstrate that the mistake was not the result of negligence but rather was because of a clerical or other similar error (I know this sounds self-contradictory, but that's what the law says); 4) the mistake cannot be one of judgment, such as merely underestimating the number of manhours necessary; and finally 5) the mistake needs to be "material;' that is, it needs to be sufficiently large such that to require the contractor to sign the contract or forfeit the bond would be unreasonable. Generally, a bid mistake of 5% or more would satisfy the materiality rule. If all of the above requirements are satisfied, the contractor would be entitled to withdraw the bid and get its bond back. This is the general law in Iowa, in any event. John Templer Iowa law provides relief for a contractor who is the apparent low bidder due to a mistake in its bid. However, in order to withdraw its bid, the contractor 1) must give notice to the Owner immediately that there is a mistake in the bid; 2) demonstrate the nature of the mistake (such as forgetting to include the painter’s subbid price); 3) demonstrate that the mistake was not the result of negligence but rather was because of a clerical or other similar error (I know this sounds self-contradictory, but that’s what the law says); 4) the mistake cannot be one of judgment, such as merely underestimating the number of manhours necessary; and finally 5) the mistake needs to be “material;’ that is, it needs to be sufficiently large such that to require the contractor to sign the contract or forfeit the bond would be unreasonable. Generally, a bid mistake of 5% or more would satisfy the materiality rule.

If all of the above requirements are satisfied, the contractor would be entitled to withdraw the bid and get its bond back.

This is the general law in Iowa, in any event.

John Templer

]]> Comment on Is There An Opportunity to End Bid Shopping & Bid Peddling? by David Mendes http://blog.tempestcompany.com/2009/10/26/is-there-an-opportunity-to-end-bid-shopping-bid-peddling/comment-page-2/#comment-253 David Mendes Sat, 24 Apr 2010 21:31:49 +0000 http://blog.tempestcompany.com/?p=672#comment-253 The U.S. House of Representatives will consider an amendment this week to institute bid listing on federal construction contracts of $1 million or more. ASA is calling on opponents of bid shopping to contact their House members to support the Kanjorski Amendment to H.R. 5013. See http://bit.ly/97Mo0O. The U.S. House of Representatives will consider an amendment this week to institute bid listing on federal construction contracts of $1 million or more. ASA is calling on opponents of bid shopping to contact their House members to support the Kanjorski Amendment to H.R. 5013. See http://bit.ly/97Mo0O.

]]> Comment on Is There An Opportunity to End Bid Shopping & Bid Peddling? by Dawn http://blog.tempestcompany.com/2009/10/26/is-there-an-opportunity-to-end-bid-shopping-bid-peddling/comment-page-1/#comment-233 Dawn Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:31:41 +0000 http://blog.tempestcompany.com/?p=672#comment-233 It is staggering to hear the GC Estimators pawn off their own unethical and irresponsible behaviour on subs. Bis Shopping is unethical and should be ILLEGAL. If a sub is unqualified FIRE THEM or replace them . If you dont linke the frantic mess before bid time - Hey - here is a wild idea - TRY PUTTING A PREBID DEADLINE ON SUB QUOTES!!! Thanks - and by the way - I bet youd be singing a different tune if you were the ones being bid shopped It is staggering to hear the GC Estimators pawn off their own unethical and irresponsible behaviour on subs. Bis Shopping is unethical and should be ILLEGAL. If a sub is unqualified FIRE THEM or replace them . If you dont linke the frantic mess before bid time – Hey – here is a wild idea – TRY PUTTING A PREBID DEADLINE ON SUB QUOTES!!!

Thanks – and by the way – I bet youd be singing a different tune if you were the ones being bid shopped

]]> Comment on Nuclear Power by Will Pearce http://blog.tempestcompany.com/2010/03/03/nuclear-power/comment-page-1/#comment-230 Will Pearce Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:37:43 +0000 http://blog.tempestcompany.com/?p=857#comment-230 Part of the answer is that the existing plants have required maintenance and upgrades for the past three decades, so there is significant experience on these sorts of jobs among American contractors and subcontractors. But no matter what, the money will go to a mix of US and foreign companies. The recent construction expertise has to have been gained overseas, so you have to think that even if American multinationals get the contracts, they will end up partnering on some level with foreign-based. On the other hand, I believe Areva, from France, has already won some contracts for the next round of expansion, but of course they will end up using American subcontractors to perform a lot of the work. Part of the answer is that the existing plants have required maintenance and upgrades for the past three decades, so there is significant experience on these sorts of jobs among American contractors and subcontractors. But no matter what, the money will go to a mix of US and foreign companies. The recent construction expertise has to have been gained overseas, so you have to think that even if American multinationals get the contracts, they will end up partnering on some level with foreign-based. On the other hand, I believe Areva, from France, has already won some contracts for the next round of expansion, but of course they will end up using American subcontractors to perform a lot of the work.

]]> Comment on Is There An Opportunity to End Bid Shopping & Bid Peddling? by Jim http://blog.tempestcompany.com/2009/10/26/is-there-an-opportunity-to-end-bid-shopping-bid-peddling/comment-page-1/#comment-218 Jim Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:56:14 +0000 http://blog.tempestcompany.com/?p=672#comment-218 I think requiring All Sub Contractors to Be qualified and Licensed is the first step.. there are too many Numbers thrown on bid day by well intentioned subs that do not have the Experience or the Qualifications to do the Project. I think requiring All Sub Contractors to Be qualified and Licensed is the first step.. there are too many Numbers thrown on bid day by well intentioned subs that do not have the Experience or the Qualifications to do the Project.

]]> Comment on Whatever Happened to Mentoring? by Earl Rosenow http://blog.tempestcompany.com/2009/10/19/whatever-happened-to-mentoring/comment-page-1/#comment-203 Earl Rosenow Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:41:14 +0000 http://blog.tempestcompany.com/?p=661#comment-203 As author of the ASPE's Mentor-A-Member program in 2003, I am continually frustrated by the lack of support for this worthy cause by our national board of trustees. I have also encouraged ASPE to affiliate with the national ACE mentoring program and to develop a program for "reverse mentoring" (where younger, tech savy members mentor the older paper and pencil members in the new technologies). All of this has pretty much fallen on deaf ears, or been dismissed like, "we can't do that" because of this, or because of that. Keep raising the banner Don, things become traditional because they work. As author of the ASPE’s Mentor-A-Member program in 2003, I am continually frustrated by the lack of support for this worthy cause by our national board of trustees. I have also encouraged ASPE to affiliate with the national ACE mentoring program and to develop a program for “reverse mentoring” (where younger, tech savy members mentor the older paper and pencil members in the new technologies). All of this has pretty much fallen on deaf ears, or been dismissed like, “we can’t do that” because of this, or because of that. Keep raising the banner Don, things become traditional because they work.

]]> Comment on Nine Secrets of Estimating #7 by James Johnson http://blog.tempestcompany.com/2010/01/08/nine-secrets-of-estimating-7/comment-page-1/#comment-202 James Johnson Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:31:43 +0000 http://blog.tempestcompany.com/?p=770#comment-202 Don: I enjoy what you are doing on your website. Re. "indirect costs" I take exception to the classification of general condition-type costs as indirects. They are direct costs to the project. I agree that notionally there are indirect costs associated with a project but in the context of assembling an estimate the term "indirects" should be avoided. Keep up the good work. Jim Don:
I enjoy what you are doing on your website. Re. “indirect costs” I take exception to the classification of general condition-type costs as indirects. They are direct costs to the project.

I agree that notionally there are indirect costs associated with a project but in the context of assembling an estimate the term “indirects” should be avoided.

Keep up the good work.

Jim

]]> Comment on Is There An Opportunity to End Bid Shopping & Bid Peddling? by Don Short http://blog.tempestcompany.com/2009/10/26/is-there-an-opportunity-to-end-bid-shopping-bid-peddling/comment-page-1/#comment-172 Don Short Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:52:58 +0000 http://blog.tempestcompany.com/?p=672#comment-172 Here is a comment I received via email. GREAT YOU WANT ANOTHER LAYER OF DEAD BEATS BEATING HONEST CONTRACTORS TO DEATH. WE ALREADY HAVE LAWS IN PLACE THAT "TAKE CARE OF THIS" Here is a comment I received via email.

GREAT YOU WANT ANOTHER LAYER OF DEAD BEATS BEATING HONEST CONTRACTORS TO DEATH. WE ALREADY HAVE LAWS IN PLACE THAT “TAKE CARE OF THIS”

]]> Comment on Is There An Opportunity to End Bid Shopping & Bid Peddling? by Don Short http://blog.tempestcompany.com/2009/10/26/is-there-an-opportunity-to-end-bid-shopping-bid-peddling/comment-page-1/#comment-171 Don Short Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:52:12 +0000 http://blog.tempestcompany.com/?p=672#comment-171 Here is another comment I received... Another stupid law which will cost the taxpayer $$$$$. Most of the bid shopping occurs before the bids go in anyway. It is impossible to qualify a $100,000.00 sub bid minutes before your bid goes in anyway. Listing subs just makes the bid process more difficult and creates a lot of paperwork when subs back out of bids (which they do all the time on public bids. This law is a bad idea…..40 year estimator. Here is another comment I received…

Another stupid law which will cost the taxpayer $$$$$. Most of the bid shopping occurs before the bids go in anyway. It is impossible to qualify a $100,000.00 sub bid minutes before your bid goes in anyway. Listing subs just makes the bid process more difficult and creates a lot of paperwork when subs back out of bids (which they do all the time on public bids. This law is a bad idea…..40 year estimator.

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