Using a Phased Approach to Manage your Projects

One powerful strategy among general contractors is bidding a project in phases. Often, the plans are not complete so a phased approach allows you to get the bidding process started. Phased bidding allows you to break the project into phases or stages (i.e. NDA, Budget Bid, 75% Drawings, 100% Drawings, etc.) without having to create a new project for each phase.

A robust bid solicitation software should also offer Bid Packages which allows each trade to have its own scope and bid date. Here’s why a phased approach using Bid Packages is a game changer:

1. Faster Project Starts

For projects that have already been awarded, a phased bidding approach allows you to get started while the rest of the project is still in design. For example, the site and civil work can go out for bid and start construction while architectural and MEP drawings are still being finalized. This parallel path can save weeks or even months on the project timeline.

2. Trade-Specific Focus

Phased bidding, when used with Bid Packages, allows the general contractor to send bid invitations in phases and each Bid Package can be tailored to the specific needs of a trade. Want to get structural steel out early with a focused scope and details specific to steel fabricators? No problem. You can use different trade descriptions, custom bid instructions, and trade specific Bid Forms for each Bid Package ensuring every subcontractor sees exactly what they need to respond accurately and without having to sift through other documents and plans that are unrelated to them..

3. Flexible Bid Dates

By utilizing Bid Packages, you can set bid deadlines reducing the pressure of having to review all the bids at one time. With PreconSuite, managing staggered bid dates is simple, with automated reminders, timelines, and status tracking.

4. Stay Ahead Even if the Drawings Aren’t 100%

Sometimes, a project needs to be bid in phases because the drawings just aren’t 100% complete. Instead of delaying the entire bid process, you can begin releasing bid phases based on available information. Maybe the project can’t wait due to schedule pressure, or early budgeting is needed to secure financing or board approvals. Either way, phased bidding gives your subcontractors a chance to start preparing bids early and allows you to maintain momentum while the design team finalizes the remaining details. It also creates a smoother flow for updating and resubmitting pricing when final plans are ready. In PreconSuite you can:

• Copy bidders, bid packages, and upload the new set of Drawings with a few clicks.
• Quickly view bidding history and track new bids and responses on a new bidders list.
• Rebid a project with Bid Packages with the scope and plans tailored to specific trades/companies.
• Re-submit a bid in 2-clicks without having to create a new project.

5. Streamlined Coordination with Software

PreconSuite makes it easy to create, manage, and track multiple bid phases. When used with Bid Packages, each trade can have scopes, attachments, and bid due dates specific to their trade and all from a centralized platform. Bidding software also ensures your subcontractors have the most up-to-date information. Read how a large GC simplified a complex bidding issue using the bid phases feature.

In Summary

Phased bidding isn’t just for massive public projects, it's a smart approach for private and commercial jobs of all sizes. It keeps your schedule moving, improves bid accuracy, and allows for more flexibility throughout the preconstruction bidding process.

Let PreconSuite be your foundation for your bidding process. Book a demo today and see how you can save time and reduce risk.