Evaluating construction contractors in the pre-tendering stage through an integrated based model

Abstract

There are different studies has introduced different methods and techniques to improve the performance and to reduce the delays in delivering construction projects. The selection of qualified contractors has a crucial importance which ensures delivering projects within the required time, quality, and cost. There are different national classification systems for contractors which are based on some similar and different criteria. This paper aims to develop a new model that helps in evaluating contractors in pre-tendering stage. The establishment of this model starts by listing 39 different criteria that are extracted from previous related studies. Then, 9 experts conducted a pairwise comparisons of those criteria using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) which resulted in 10 important criteria that should be used in evaluating construction contractors in pre-tendering stage. Those 10 criteria were then evaluated by 21 specialized mangers in different contract departments to get the weight of each criterion using Multi Attribute Utility Theory (MAUT) which converts those different criteria that have different attributes dimensions to one unified measurement scale identified as the multi-attribute “utility”. At the end, the selection criteria are evaluated using numerical and nominal scale to calculate the final score using the weights of those criteria which will allocate the contractors that can go to the tendering stage. As this model introduces a method for evaluating contractors before tendering stage, it also allows the clients or owners redefine the selection criteria and to decide the minimum result to allow contractors to move to the tendering stage. So, this model will help decision makers to ensure that the contractor’s characteristics and capabilities meet the requirements of the allocated project. Effective and objective qualification processes will serve both parties, owners, and contractors, in delivering construction projects. The criteria of this model are established based on the requirements of the construction industry in Saudi Arabia.

Keywords

• Contractors evaluation
• Evaluation criteria
• Integrated model
• MAUT
• AHP