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Links to projects:

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Experimental Sciences groundbreaking ceremonies, April 2002.

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John Fanning and Scott Fanning demonstrate a proper "Guns Up" salute to Jorge de la Cal, project architect for Anshen+Allen-LA.

Projects on the boards:

Back to Main

.Editorials - Norris Fanning - my personal 2 cents worth.

Award on the Base Bid?

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There is a practice being advocated in the construction industry to which our firm does not subscribe. It is a deviant form of the bid proposal known as "base bid." In this format, the plans and specifications are written around a specific make and model of equipment. The bidders have the opportunity to present substitutes, accompanied by a stipulated change in the bid price. The bidders are instructed that the award of the contract will be on the base bid.

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In this scenario, alternates do not figure in the calculation to determine who is the low bidder, only in adjusting the amount of the contract. There is, then, no incentive to seriously compete on alternates, or even to propose substitutes. Getting the specified equipment is almost certain.

The temptation to use this format is insidious and compelling:

From the agent's perspective:

1. It absolutely eliminates bid peddling.

2. It allows him to use creative salesmanship instead of cut-throat competition.

3. It enables him to productively direct his promotional efforts.

4. No problem interpreting the specs or guessing at intent.

5. He can put enough money in the job to justify his attention.

From the bidder’s perspective:

1. It levels the playing field; everybody bases the price on the same equipment.

2. Bidder can set his own price on alternates to fit his situation.

3. It avoids coordination problems between trades for substitutions.

4. Expect the supplier to be more accommodating of changes during construction.

5. Expect a higher level of support on start-up.

From the specifier’s perspective:

1. We could get a lot more help from manufacturer’s representatives.

2. We would not have to spend any time checking the shop drawings.

3. We would not have to revise the drawings to accommodate substitutes.

4. Suppliers should back us up on errors and omission claims.

5. Our fee would not be reduced by deductive alternates, which cost money to prepare.

6. We are responsible for the design and ought to have the say on what goes on our jobs.

7. Agents might even help us get business if they have a stake in it.

Advocates would say this approach brings the expertise of the agents and manufacturers into the process at the earliest stage of a project. They become virtual partners in the design process. All the engineer has to do is to decide whose equipment he is going to specify on the job. Agents for the base bid equipment will run computer selections, write and proof specs, prepare accurate estimates, work with the drafters directly on the drawings, and check the final product. That’s a lot of work. It does not seem right to ask it if the agent cannot expect something in return.

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Sometimes, when all these advantages are explained to the client, they agree to it. Sometimes, in order to get preferred equipment, for whatever reason, they encourage it. So why, with so much going for it, and so many members of the construction "team" advocating it, would our firm stand against it?

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The answer is really quite simple:

We have a solemn duty to represent our Client’s interests on every commission for which we are professionally retained. The practice of awarding on base bid is quite properly illegal on most public work. It is patently unethical on any project in our opinion.

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The policy of Fanning, Fanning and Associates, inc. concerning base bid type specifications has always been for the traditional "base bid and alternates" with the award of the contract based on best construction as determined by the client.    This will continue to be our policy, and our practice unless specifically directed otherwise by our client on a project by project basis.

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Legendary Lubbock: Love it or Leave it.

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.....Best I can tell, most of us here live in Lubbock, Texas by choice. West Texas' wide open spaces fits my concept of freedom. The can-do attitude of West Texans fits my philosophy of life. The ethnic diversity of Lubbock fits my view of what society ought to be. If there was a better place to live than Lubbock, I'd move there.

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....I have no patience with whiners who pine for what we don't have. We don't have mountains, rivers, forests or seashores. We also don't have the problems that go with them. Been there, done that. Here, the environment does not get in the way of what we want to do with our lives. Some of us see more beauty (and prosperity) in amber waves of grain than in purple mountain's majesty. Now, I enjoy travel as much as the next guy. Live here - Visit there seems the right order to me. For folks that think happiness is Lubbock in the rear view mirror, there are 4 lane highways leaving town in all directions. There is no iron curtain around Lubbock.

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.....Lubbock is about right for this generation: Large enough to support all the amenities of a civilized life. Small enough to be friendly. Organized enough to maintain order. Opportunities enough to match any reasonable ambition. Appropriate scale for our economic base. Perfectly laid out for ease of navigation. Strategically located as the crown jewel of the Llano Estacado. Our city founders and past leaders made very few mistakes.

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.....This area is big and rich compared to other places. We have real economic opportunity to increase our production, enhance our products, and market them to the world. Technology, transportation, and communication have wiped out the barriers to marketing our more abstract products, like education, medicine, engineering, software, and professional services. We need play to our strengths for economic development, not the short term gain. Promoting tourism and a developer's perspective has its place, but these are not our strong suits.

 

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CSI The Lubbock chapter of the Construction Specifications Institute.

Officers 2000 - 2001

Members:

806-747-3881 Fax: 806-747-8214