b'INDUSTRY UPDATEWHERE DID PUBLICLY OPENED BRYAN WALLNERTENDERS GO? Chief Executive Officer, RCABCT here is no doubt that the pandemic accel- next job. A prompt disclosure of unofficial bid eratedouruseoftechnologyacrosstheresults is a good first step.construction industry. Zoom meetings mayIn our province, we are fortunate that the BC betheculturaliconofthepandemicperiod.Construction Association provides the following Forbes magazine recently identified 16 technolo- adviceforelectronicbidopenings(bothlive gies that saw their acceptance skyrocket over theonline and at time of closing) and posting of past three years and are expected to gain marketunofficial results:shareinthefuture.Consumptionofonline media,e-commerce,tech-drivenhomefitnessONLINE BID OPENING OPTIONS:(e.g., Peloton) and tele-health medical appoint- 1. Where a live online bid opening is used, ments, among others, have become mainstream.the Instructions to Bidders shall state that the Closer to home, electronic bid systems werebid opening shall occur at the closing time for a key lever in keeping the construction industrytheproject.TheInstructionstoBidderswill workingduringthepandemicinB.C.Theseprovide the internet location where the online bid systemsincludingBCBid,MERXand,myopening will happen and provide any instructions favourite, BidCentralall enabled projects to beon what computer application or internet access tendered and awarded remotely. Combined withprotocol a viewer must follow to be present for free trade agreements mandating the use of elec- the online bid opening. tronic portals, contractors can expect continued2. At the time of bid closing, the bid price adoption of electronic portals. and any alternatives that are being considered in Sowheredoesthatleavepubliclyopenedevaluation of the bids shall be released as unoffi-tenders, and why should we care? The Vancouvercial bid results. (Note: All electronic bidding plat-RegionalConstructionAssociationsprovincialforms provide this ability.)forecastprojectsB.C.sconstructionindustryRCABC and its members support open, fair will be short 11,700 workers over the next twoand transparent procurement that allows bidders years, and short some 23,000 workers by 2029.toreceivetimelydisclosureofbidresults.A Thismeanscontractorsmustmanagetheirstreamlined process may increase time and focus crewresourcesmorepreciselythaneverandfor bid respondents, increasing the number of knowwheretheywillbeworkingandwhen.bids received by owners and reducing costs on Historically, bidding on work and receiving thetheir projects. While live online bid opening is the timelyresponseprovidedbyapublictenderpreferred option because of the ultimate trans-opening allowed contractors to gear up or moveparency it provides to all bidderswhich is even on to the next opportunity. If its clear they aremore important considering the public finances not low, time is opened up to respond to theon many of these projectsthere is absolutely next tender and bonding capacity is released forno reason that tendering authorities cannot make the next job.the quick and simple adjustment to post unoffi-Thistransparencyisavailableonelectroniccial bid results within 24 hours of closing. The bidding systems as well, but bid results are rarelyconstruction industry certainly needs to work on posted, and decision dates are unknown. Simplya long-term solution that improves the outcomes put,well-intendedtransparencyinthebiddingfor all, but this will at least provide instant relief process is replaced with uncertainty and delays,in an overly constricted sector while costing the taking up time that could be used to bid on thetax payer nothing. Now that is a win-win! 8 lROOFINGBClSUMMER 2023'