Bidding and Estimating Flashcards

A bid depository system is primarily used to:

Answer: Coordinate subcontractor bids to prevent bid shopping

A bid depository system collects and holds subcontractor bids until a set time to prevent bid shopping and promote fair competition.

When estimating conduit installations, which measurement unit is most commonly used for material takeoff?

Answer: Linear feet

Conduit is measured in linear feet during takeoff, as it is a linear product installed along defined pathways.

A contractor wins a bid but discovers a significant math error after contract signing. Under most public bidding laws, the contractor:

Answer: Must perform the work at the bid price or forfeit the bid bond

Under most public bidding laws, a contractor is bound to the submitted bid price; failure to perform results in forfeiture of the bid bond.

What is the standard industry unit for pricing electrical panel installation labor?

Answer: Per circuit breaker or per panel unit

Electrical panel labor is typically priced per panel unit or per circuit breaker installed, reflecting the actual work content.

Which document obligates a contractor to enter into a contract and provide performance and payment bonds if awarded the project?

Answer: Bid bond

A bid bond guarantees that the bidder will enter into the contract and furnish required bonds if their bid is accepted.

In electrical estimating, 'pulling wire' labor hours are most accurately determined by:

Answer: Wire gauge, conduit size, and run length

Wire pulling labor depends on wire gauge, conduit diameter, run length, and number of bends, all of which affect difficulty and time.

What is a 'plug number' in electrical estimating?

Answer: A budgetary allowance for undefined or incomplete scope

A plug number is a budgetary allowance inserted into an estimate for scope that is not yet fully defined or designed.