TECHNICAL PAPERS
Jul 1, 2000

Friedman and Gates—Another Look

Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 126, Issue 4

Abstract

A lack of consensus surrounds probability estimates provided by the two leading bid models, one by Friedman and the other by Gates. Each model relies on essentially the same information but arrives at different probabilities of submitting the winning bid. A synopsis of both Friedman's and Gates's models is provided, followed by a descriptive chronology of literature dealing with this controversy. To date, attempts to resolve this debate have been unsuccessful in formulating a consensus view of which model supplies the correct probability. Using a third bid model proposed by Carr as a base, sensitivity curves visually demonstrate both similarities and differences in the models resulting from hypothetical shifts in the underlying location and scale parameters of the bid problem. It is clear from these curves that both models are simultaneously correct and incorrect. Friedman's model is theoretically correct, yet the bid problem is incorrectly specified. Gates's model is practically correct, yet the formula is incorrectly specified.

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References

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Benjamin, N. B. H. (1969). “Competitive bidding for building construction contracts.” Tech. Rep. No. 106, Dept. of Civ. Engrg., Stanford University, California.
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Benjamin, N. B. H. (1972). “Competitive bidding: The probability of winning.”J. Constr. Div., ASCE, 98(2), 313–330.
3.
Benjamin, N. B. N., and Meador, R. C. (1979). “Comparison of Friedman and Gates competitive bidding models.”J. Constr. Div., ASCE, 105(1), 25–40.
4.
Carr, R. I. (1982). “General bidding model.”J. Constr. Div., ASCE, 108(4), 639–650.
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Curtis, F. J., and Maines, P. W. (1973). “Closed competitive bidding.” Omega, Int. J. Mgmt. Sci., Oxford, U.K., 1(5), 613–619.
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Friedman, L. (1956). “Competitive-bidding strategy.” Operations Res., 4, 104–112.
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Gates, M. (1976). “Discussion of `Bidding models: Truths and comments,' by Michael Fuerst.”J. Constr. Div., ASCE, 102(4), 696–699.
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Mitchell, M. S. (1977). “The probability of being the lowest bidder.” J. Royal Statistical Soc., Series C: Applied Statistics, London, 26(2), 191–194.
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Morin, T. L., and Clough, R. H. (1972). “Closure to `OPBID: Competitive bidding strategy model'.”J. Constr. Div., ASCE, 98(2), 347–350.
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Go to Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 126Issue 4July 2000
Pages: 306 - 312

History

Received: Jun 8, 1999
Published online: Jul 1, 2000
Published in print: Jul 2000

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Authors

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Larry G. Crowley
Assoc. Prof., Dept. of Civ. Engrg., Auburn Univ., Auburn, AL 36849. E-mail: [email protected]

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