What are tenders?
A tender is an offer or an invitation or a formal offer letter that is done to bid for a project.
The tender is a document that is inclusive of all the details of the schedule of works, events, transportation and requirement of goods and services, materials and labor, and other such particulars.
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Invitation of tenders
Before inviting of tenders, it is important for the designer to ensure that:
1. All the plans, specifications, and details must be clear and corrected and without any ambiguity.
2. The bill of quantities should be as accurate as possible.
3. Special conditions if any should be thoroughly checked so that not a single item is overlooked.
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Invitations to call for tenders can be done in 3 ways:
1. Private invitations - In this type of tender, generally the interior designers already have a panel of set contractors from which the invitation tender quote is sent for any particular project.
2. Public notices - All kinds of public-related works are to be advertised in newspapers for inviting tenders, and any contractor can quote his amount for the same.
3. Negotiations – Invitations for tenders can be based on negotiations as well.
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Characteristics of a tender
1. Tender notice must mention details such as owner’s name, location, nature, scope and extent of work, and the overall estimated cost.
2. It must mention the details of the earnest amount and tender fees.
3. The bidder must be asked to inspect the site before approving or applying for the tender.
4. Location of delivery of tenders by the contractors should be specified in the document
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Opening of tenders
1. Tenders should be opened in the presence of the owner or amongst committee members. In some cases, like private tender invitations, contractors are generally not called during the opening phase.
2. A list of the tenders along with the tender deposits must be recorded.
3. If in case, the owner is not present or available at the time of opening tenders, the tenders should be opened by the designer himself.
4. The lowest tender is generally accepted.
5. The tender deposits and such other amounts except professional fees should be deposited in a separate account of the firm usually known as an “agency account “and at no time should the amounts be paid in the trading account wherein the amount of professional fees is deposited.
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Accepting a tender
Before selecting and finalizing a contactor from the tender bids we need to analyze and examine contractors:
1. The contractor’s financial stability depending upon the quoted overall estimated cost.
2. Intelligence and knowledge of work needed for execution.
3. Market study and understanding.
4. Previous works and their execution standards.
5. Overall behavior and temperament as a person and as a team leader and player.
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Once the above-mentioned pointers are identified and sampled, the contractor can be chosen and the tender can be accepted!
From here the tender document can be made and the construction phase may henceforth begin.
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FAQs
What is tender in interior design?
A tender in interior design is a formal offer made by contractors to execute specific design and construction works based on detailed project documents, including specifications, schedules, and costs.
What are tenders in architecture?
Tenders in architecture are formal documents inviting contractors to bid for a construction project, outlining all necessary details like materials, labor, timelines, and costs.
What is the description of tenders?
A tender is a comprehensive document detailing the scope of work, materials, labor, and costs required for a project. It includes specifications, schedules, and conditions for the bidding process.
What are the three types of tenders?
The three types of tenders are private invitations, public notices, and negotiation-based tenders, each varying in how contractors are invited to bid for a project.
What is the purpose of tender?
The purpose of a tender is to invite bids from contractors, ensuring transparency and competitiveness in the selection process for executing a project.
Why do we use tenders?
Tenders are used to ensure a fair and competitive process in selecting the most suitable contractor for a project, based on cost, capability, and compliance with project requirements.
