b'BUSINESSroofing contract as an example, a typical GAINING processwouldinvolvethepreparation of the bid package and then having it posted electronically on MERX, or BC Bid, or any number of other tendering sites relevant to the work. An important PURCHASE milestoneforatenderisasitevisit, where the documented Scope of Work can be reviewed and may generate more questionsandoftenresultsinrevi-sions or addendums from the owner or vendor. Once completed and on time, a contractorsrepresentativewouldthen visit the purchasers selected bid station and literally hand in the bid document acrossthetabletothevendor.That process has changed, or at the least has beenseriouslymodifiedthroughout the pandemic.Althoughconstructionsitevisits for interested bidders still occur, many are now virtual or drive-by, based onAlthough construction site visits for interested the protocols of the work site. All bids now must be submitted electronically. But,likemanystreamlinedprocessesbidders still occur, many are now virtual or drive-inoure-world,thatoftencomes with complications.by, based on the protocols of the work site. All OwnerandprincipalofFairley Strategies, Katy Fairley, says, There arebids now must be submitted electronically. But, definitely some downsides to the current bidding scenario. But one of the upsideslike many streamlined processes in our e-world, ishowbuyersandvendorshaveboth beenforcedtofinallyuseelectronicthat often comes with complications. technologies.Idontthinktheresany mysticism about whats been happening with tendering. Its been changing for a while and the COVID-19 pandemic has simply accelerated the change.Fairley Strategies provides risk mitiga-tion and consulting strategies for buyers of construction servicesspecifically astheyrelatetoprojectdeliveryand procurement. Fairleyadds,Imnotsuggesting thattherearentsomeinherentprob-lems with electronic submissionsthere are.Buttherearetwotypesofelec-tronic procurement: sending in an email andusinganonlinebiddingplatform. And I think its incumbent on owners, whether they be government institutions orprivatecompanies,toensuretheir process mimics the norms and standards that industry has followed for years. For companies, the change to online bidding platforms will mean understanding how www.rcabc.org l35'