Training: "When Bad Things Happen to Bids"

I was in Milwaukee, Wisconsin last Thursday providing public works training at the Spring Conference of the Wisconsin Association for Public Procurement (WAPP), an NIGP chapter.  The conference was held in conjunction with V.A.L.U.E., a cooperative purchasing program in southeastern Wisconsin. 

Mike Purdy and Jesse Jackson
at Chicago's O'Hare Airport

Surprise in Chicago:  On a layover at Chicago's O'Hare Airport on Wednesday on my way to Milwaukee, I ran into Jesse Jackson who was there catching a flight also.  He very graciously agreed to pause for a picture with me.  It was an amazing experience - something totally unexpected!

Developing Public Works Bid Documents:  In Milwaukee, I did an hour long training session on "Best Practices in Developing Public Works Bid Documents."  Here's a high level outline of my presentation:

• Principals of Preparation
• Formats and Structures
• Components of Bid Documents
• Review of Individual Projects
• Document Control
• Long Term Review
• Training

When Bad Things Happen to Bids:  In the afternoon, I provided 3.5 hours of training on "When Bad Things Happen to Bids: Strategies for Ensuring a Successful Public Works Project."  Here's an outline of the interactive presentation:

• Why Aren't Bidders More Careful?
• Why do Bidders Make Mistakes?
• Missing Bid Prices
• Conflict Between Numbers and Words
• Bid Calculation Errors
• Claims of Error

• Is Your Bidder Playing Games?
• Bid is Too Low
• Unbalanced Bids
• Conditioned or Qualified Bids

• Will the Real Low Bidder Please Stand Up?
• Additive and Alternate Bids
• Tie Bids
• Responsive Bids
• Responsible Bidders
• Local Bid Preferences
• Bid Protests and Appeals

• What Can You Do to Manage Bidding?
• What Should be on the Bid Form?
• On What Days Should You Not Receive Bids?
• When is a Bid Late?
• When Should You Take a Bid Guaranty? 

Interested in this training?  If you are interested in me providing this training for your agency, NIGP chapter, or other professional association, please contact me.

Mike Purdy's Public Contracting Blog 
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