By Matt Brennan • What the RFI? Episode 13
A tender issue is a major milestone, but the information work continues through questions and addenda. Episode 13 looks at how preparation and document control during tender can reduce avoidable problems once construction starts.
Lessons from Episode 13
Coordinate before issuing
Use a drawing and specification checklist to identify gaps, inconsistent references and unresolved consultant information. Confirm what is included in the issue and who is responsible for each final review.
Permit progress, owner decisions and procurement requirements can affect the tender strategy. Make those dependencies visible early. A rushed issue can leave the construction team pricing assumptions that were never clearly stated.
Give tender questions a controlled route
Keep a register of questions, assign the response and track the date needed. Coordinate answers across disciplines before they are released. A response that changes the tender documents needs to follow the established tender communication process.
Addenda should make revisions traceable. Identify the documents affected, confirm the attachments and distribute the complete package through the approved channel. Avoid leaving bidders to piece together informal explanations.
Carry the tender record into CA
At the end of tender, retain a complete issue history and make it available to the CA team. Confirm how the tender set and addenda are incorporated into the construction documents and the project agreement.
Matt’s broader point is that early quality work supports the later construction phase. Clear scope makes RFIs easier to answer and proposed changes easier to evaluate because the team can identify the starting requirement.
Your next step
Complete a coordinated drawing and specification review.
Track tender questions and assigned responses.
Issue complete, traceable addenda through the project process.
Hand over the full tender history to the CA team.
Watch or listen to the full episode
Watch Episode 13 on YouTube or listen to IFT, that’s it!!! Except for Addendums! and read the transcript.
Related Construction Administration guides
Construction Administration guide • construction RFI guide • proposed changes guide