Page 155 - TCDB combined Book

Chapter 3 DESIGN 131

Building Design:

Design by Subcontractors:

There will be certain projects that call for design work to be submitted with your proposal.
Subcontract design can eliminate any up front costs associated with proposal preparation. A
minimum of two (2) competitive subcontract quotations including design should be obtained when
using this method. Projects that will dictate the use of subcontract design will usually be the
Tendered "Request for Proposals" but you can also expect this situation on your "Custom" and
"Qualified" proposals. All design criteria and information required for subcontract design must
originate and be controlled by your office, whether this documentation was provided by your
client or directly from your company.

Proposals using subcontractor design should result in accurate, complete, competitive and
current technology applications, considering the subcontract contract awards will usually be
based on the best overall proposal submitted.

Preparing accurate winning proposals without using outside design services will require
extensive in-house experience and design capability. Due to the very competitive nature of this
industry it is imperative that the exclusivity and secrecy are maintained on all design criteria and
information exchanged on Subcontract design proposals. The clear disadvantage of using
Subcontractor Design Service at the proposal stage is the possibility of your competitor soliciting
the same subcontractor for this purpose. The dilemma for the subcontractors will be the necessity
of preparing custom designs for each proponent. The merits of retaining friendly, exclusive
subcontractors for your proposal designs rather than being open to all the interested
subcontractors will be an important early decision in the proposal preparation process. "No Thy
Subcontractors."

The major subcontractors or suppliers commonly offering design as a part of their
operation include the structural, mechanical and electrical sectors. Whether these major
subcontractors use in-house or outside design services, it is important that they be registered and
accredited design professionals.

Alternating subcontractors for proposal design needs is advisable. Depending on the
variety and nature of your projects it should be obvious as to the appropriate subcontractor for a
particular proposal. Considering you will not be successful on every proposal submission it would
be prudent to consider alternating subcontractors to avoid alienation and loss of interest by these
subcontractors.