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Finding out what GC's are bidding a project

10/12/20       
Anon

Scenario is this--1 GC requests a price for a project. It's a good project for us, but if that GC doesn't get it, we don't stand a chance.

So, what is the accepted etiquette of finding out who is bidding a job, so you can bid all the GC's on a project to increase your chances? Do you outright ask the GC who his competitors are? Call the Architect and ask? Curious about what others are doing. Thanks.

10/12/20       #2: Finding out what GC's are bidding a ...
Alan F.

If it is a public project then it will listed in a builders exchange as well as some private.

Most GC's / bid docs ask you to not contact the architect or owner.

If there are 3-5 GC's bidding and they are negotiating with the owner then they want the best "team" and may not disclose.

Sometimes a job walk sign in or RFI log will show the various GC's and sometimes instructions to the owners will show the various GC's.

You can call the architect but the GC may not use you in the future. You need to find the other GC some other way before the project is out to bid.

10/13/20       #3: Finding out what GC's are bidding a ...
Mark B Member

Similar to Alan around here. If its a private job that the owner is shopping out for bids there is no way you'll get a list without p*ssing someone off. If its a public job we always get a sign in sheet in the bid documents that has every contractor that attended the pre-bid meeting. Can be handy to see who was interested in the project but a lot of estimators will go to every pre-bid they can and the GC may have no intention of bidding the job or may decide not to bid after review. But at least you have the opportunity to call them or fire off any email letting anyone know you've prepared a bid.

If you bid a lot of private work and are only getting a single bid request for a given job it may seem like an indicator to take a little time out of your schedule to prepare some information/literature, and get out for a day here and there and make some sales calls to get on more of you local GC's radar.

10/13/20       #4: Finding out what GC's are bidding a ...
Alan F.

You could also visit the job-sites of the jobs you lost and ask how to get qualified or placed on the successful GC's bid list.

He have stock prequalification letter with our capabilities, markets served, and history followed by charts of:

Current Work Experience

Project Name Client Contact Phone Number Contract Value Estimated Completion Date

Can then a 5 year history of jobs over x dollars and a separate list of Largest Contracts Completed in Last Three Years

If you are going to go knock on a door be prepared to provide answers to their questions. Some GC's use a few different online qualification software.

10/13/20       #5: Finding out what GC's are bidding a ...
Mark B Member

The only detractor in jobsite visits for me is that leaving any information there usually lands in the trash or never makes it to appropriate hands. You may get lucky to bump into a PM but more than likely your gonna find a job super and your paperwork will go nowhere. Your best bet is to look for the GC on-site (easy) and then call on the office staff. The estimator likely never sets foot on-site (other than to get their A## chapped for a miss... and they are either in the office or in a car...

You need to find them in the bid process which means developing an upper office contact.

1/25/21       #6: Finding out what GC's are bidding a ...
C Member

Lots of times when we bid commercial jobs, my countertop subs will let me know what other GC's asked for a bid and will often have more information than I do. I always ask when I get my quotes from them who the GC's are on the job.

Establishing a good relationship with your subs will help in the long run. Remember they want your bid to get in front of as many GC's, just like you do, it increases their chance of being selected too.


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