E tender project allocation system
Abstract : This paper presents an e-Tendering model developed for the public construction contract in Saudi Arabia to improve its efficiency. The research addresses the dilemma of traditional tendering and recommends the use of practical tools in order to improve the efficiency of the process. The demand from governments and the construction industry for paperless business processes has generated many commercial e-Tendering systems around the world. E-Tendering systems can be quite complex since they involve many stages or phases to meet the needs of both the public and private sectors. In the current study, numerous e-Tendering systems have been evaluated to provide background information to assist with the development of the proposed model. The proposed model is developed based on literature review, ten interviews, a focus group, and 52 questionnaire participants. The model allows a contractor to be involved during the design stage and participate officially during the design process. This feature seek to minimise the project’s time and maximise the quality and transparency of e-Tendering in the construction industry. The challenge, thus, revolves around adapting the Saudi construction contract into the form of e-Tendering.
? The practice of e-Tendering already exists, although it does vary from country to country, and sector to sector.
? E-Tendering could be easily implemented into existing organisations and industries.
? When developing the e-Tendering process, the developer would benefit from a review of the advantages of existing e-Tendering models and practices utilised by other countries.
? While each country has its own tendering process, lessons can be learnt so that Saudi Arabia can benefit from the best practice identified.
? This traditional and formal way of undertaking business was problematic for the employees, as were the contractual restraints that were no longer apparent with e-Tendering.
? A primary explanation for the extent of project failures, and the size of the ultimate write-offs, is the presence of agency problems, especially the escalation of commitment on the part of the managers.
? This unexpected outcome was determined not to be a problem, as the issue would be validated by the questionnaire survey.
? An important issue in the current research is the question as to which period, in the traditional tendering process, was the most time consuming.
• The aim of the first proposed model was to link the design office with the contractors.
• Their opinions were sought to gain additional background information for the development of the proposed e-Tendering model.
• The task of the focus was to assess the proposed model so that improvements could be made that would overcome any barriers to its implementation.
• The model proposed a way for the contractors to become officially involved in the process, that is, via the e-Tendering features.
• Based on the findings from the above analysis, a proposed model for implementing eTendering was developed.
? A number of studies have developed e-Tendering frameworks in different construction industries to improve the performance of construction contracts.
? All participants can envisage an improvement in efficiency with the implementation of e-Tendering.
? The demand for efficiencies to be created in the process has resulted in a significant number of governments implementing e-Tendering systems, and demand from governments and the construction industry for paperless business processes has generated many commercial e-Tendering systems around the world.
? The increasing demand for efficiency in the construction industry has created a shift toward implementing eTendering in government sectors.
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