TECHNICAL PAPERS
Mar 1, 1987

Optimum Markup by Direct Solution

Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 113, Issue 1

Abstract

A direct solution technique determines optimum markup for competitive construction bids using either lowest opposing bid models or average opposing bid models. A graphical representation helps explain the technique. Lowest competing bids can be standardized, and a table shows standardized optimum markup to fit any normally distributed lowest opposing bids. The paper explains: (1) the effects of differing numbers of competitors on the lowest opposing bids; and (2) the relationship between average and lowest opposing bids for differing numbers of competitors. The direct method provides the same answers as an accurate trial‐and‐error method, but it is quicker, once the variables of a normal distribution are calculated. Its quickness leads to easy comparisons for numbers of competitors.

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References

1.
Broemser, G. M., “Competitive Bidding in the Construction Industry,” thesis presented to Stanford University at Stanford, Calif., in 1968, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
2.
Burington, R. S., and D. C. May, Handbook of Probability and Statistics with Tables, Handbook Publishers, Inc., Sandusky, Ohio, 1953.
3.
Carr, R. I., “General Bidding Model,” Journal of the Construction Division, ASCE, Vol. 108, No. CO4, Dec., 1982.
4.
Carr, R. I., “Impact of Number of Bidders on Competition,” Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, ASCE, Vol. 109, No. 1, March, 1983, pp. 61–73.
5.
Carr, R. I., and Sandahl, J. W., “Construction Bidding Strategy Using Multiple Regression,” Journal of the Construction Division, ASCE, Vol. 104, No. CO1, Mar., 1978, pp. 15–26.
6.
Friedman, L., “A Competitive Bidding Strategy,” Operations Research, Vol. 4, 1956, pp. 104–112.
7.
Gates, M., “Bidding Strategies and Probabilities,” Journal of the Construction Division, ASCE, Vol. 93, No. CO1, Mar., 1967, pp. 75–103.
8.
Hald, A., Statistical Tables and Formulas, John Wiley and Sons, New York, N.Y., 1952, pp. 33–35.
9.
Morin, T. L., and Clough, R. H., “Opbid: Competitive Bidding Strategy Model,” Journal of the Construction Division, ASCE, Vol. 95, No. CO1, July, 1969, pp. 85–106.
10.
Shaffer, L. R., and Micheau, T. W., “Bidding with Competitive Strategy Models,” Journal of the Construction Division, ASCE, Vol. 97, No. CO1, Mar., 1971, pp. 113–126.
11.
Wade, R. L., and Harris, R. B., “LOMARK: A Bidding Strategy,” Journal of the Construction Division, ASCE, Vol. 102, No. CO1, Mar., 1976, pp. 197–211.

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Go to Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 113Issue 1March 1987
Pages: 138 - 150

History

Published online: Mar 1, 1987
Published in print: Mar 1987

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Authors

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Robert I. Carr, M. ASCE
Prof. of Civ. Engrg., Dept. of Civ. Engrg., Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

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