The Low Bidder's Low Bidder
By Donna Speidel

If you deal in construction funded by taxpayer dollars, then you've dealt with contracts awarded to low bid. More to the point, you've dealt with the challenges that can come with the lowest priced proposal. The phrase has a negative connotation. I probably should have chosen an alternate title since I'm betting you probably had to talk yourself into clicking on this article.

Mention "low bidder", and everyone rolls their eyes in unison, as they mentally shoo away their Ghosts of Low Bidders Past (GLBP's). What's worse, particularly on larger projects, the low bid prime contractor often teams up with its low-bid subcontractors. In a small percentage of the population, this can cause perma-roll, defined as the condition in which one's rolled eyes become fixed in that position.

When multiple layers of low bidders get together, it can resemble a three-stop "parlay" on [insert airline here]. I'm not saying you won't get to your destination on schedule, but the probability of spending the night on a broken coin-operated massage chair at the airport just inched closer toward reality.

These additional layers of subcontractors are typically out of the control of the selection process. The low bidder's low bidder might be great, or not. There's a chance the subcontractor is qualified and quality-conscious. There's also a chance they will plague your project with problems from start to finish.

It's true, the range of possible outcomes occurs somewhat naturally in construction and is not always possible to predict, but that doesn't stop any of us in looking for ways to limit the inevitable issues.

Take airfield markings as an example. Typically a subcontracted item during new construction during an airfield project, how do you increase the probability of a successful installation, effectively adding value, without interfering with the selection process? Be it an apron, taxiway, or runway project, it's a question consulting/resident engineers, project managers, construction managers, etc., have to address.

With respect to striping, if you pave it, you more than likely have to paint it. It's a relatively small segment on your Gantt chart that has a significant impact on whether the client thinks the entire project is good or bad; and it all hinges on your subcontractor named Steve's Sip & Paint... No pressure!

Do yourself a favor by including our Airfield Marking Quality Control services in your project. Irrespective of who ends up the low bidder's low bidder, our presence significantly increases the probability of a successful installation and limits the inevitable issues.

If you're still skeptical - I get it - please call me to discuss (540)212-4544.

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