This unit of competency supports the needs of builders and senior managers in building, construction and services, typically working in larger organisations and managing more complex projects and processes, responsible for managing tender developments for major residential and commercial projects.

It is essential that competence is demonstrated in relevant aspects of management of the ongoing tender development process, extensive background data provision, risk analysis and comprehensive evaluation of the tender prior to submission by the organisation. Knowledge of financial and business administration principles, human resource practices, industrial relations and legislative and regulatory requirements is essential.

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Evaluate contract risk.

1.1. Invitation to tender is reviewed and analysed.

1.2. Contract documents pertinent to the project are obtained and examined in detail.

1.3. Conditions of contract are examined and confirmed in accordance with legislative and organisational requirements.

1.4. Organisation's current work load is verified to determine capacity to meet contract timelines.

1.5. Risk analysis is conducted and degree of risk in the project is investigated and established.

1.6. Management team is consulted in relation to likely construction approach and resources.

1.7. Client is advised of the intention or otherwise to submit a tender response.

2. Manage the tender process.

2.1. Staff members are allocated to tender preparation process.

2.2. Contact made by staff with subcontractors and suppliers to obtain quotations for services or physical resources is supervised.

2.3. Development of pre-tender construction or project schedule is managed and supervised.

3. Manage the development of human and physical resource costs.

3.1. Determining current equipment and materials charge-out rates is monitored.

3.2. Establishment of labour rates for elements of work is monitored and managed.

3.3. Project elements are analysed to ensure they conform to organisational contracting processes.

3.4. Rates to be applied to elements of the work are arbitrated on, to ensure these are compared to relevant existing records of costs.

3.5. Staff members are supervised to ensure appropriate rates are applied to the bill of quantities.

3.6. Extensions of human and physical resource costs are reviewed and monitored to ensure their accurate translation into the estimate summary.

3.7. Staff are monitored as they calculate and extend values for preliminaries and overheads.

3.8. Staff are monitored to ensure they are calculating and including all supplementary costs.

4. Prepare complete tender documentation and operating margins.

4.1. Conditions of contract are reviewed and assessed to ensure there are no variations to the tender.

4.2. Subcontractor quotes are reviewed and assessed to ensure there are no variations to the tender.

4.3. Availability of plant and equipment is checked and confirmed.

4.4. Delivery schedules are confirmed and material suppliers are followed up.

5. Evaluate tender documentation prior to submission.

5.1. Staff preparation of the schedules, which detail the sequence of work, is supervised and managed.

5.2. Progress of the tender development is monitored for timeliness and accuracy.

5.3. Documentation is reviewed to ensure that tender is finalised in standard industry format for the client.

5.4. Final tender documentation is appraised for completeness and allocation of critical rates and allowances prior to its submission.

Required skills

Required skills for this unit are:

communication skills to:

consult management team

enable clear and direct communication, using questioning to identify and confirm requirements, share information, listen and understand

liaise with client

read and interpret:

contract documents

invitation to tender

legislation

subcontractor quotes

tender documentation

other relevant documentation

use and interpret non-verbal communication

use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences

written skills to maintain records

conceptualising and envisaging unique solutions to complex problems and situations

delegating tasks within specific functional guidelines

directing the activities of personnel involved in the tender development process

facilitating the implementation of new and more appropriate information systems

interpreting strategic and often ambiguous information and reaching logical and practical decisions

monitoring and overseeing the performance of systems and individuals involved in the process

numeracy skills to apply calculations

technological skills to facilitate use of the organisation's software and office equipment.

Required knowledge

Required knowledge for this unit is:

appropriate sector of the building and construction industry and nature of the contracts upon which its activities are based

factors to be considered in assessing the risk inherent in different types of building and construction projects

financial and business administration principles commensurate with organisation's needs

human resource practices and the industry's industrial relations climate and practices

relevant state or territory building and construction codes, standards and regulations

socioeconomic and political factors which determine the climate in that sector of the building and construction industry.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

This unit of competency could be assessed by effective management of tender developments for major projects.

This unit of competency can be assessed in the workplace or a close simulation of the workplace environment, provided that simulated or project-based assessment techniques fully replicate construction workplace conditions, materials, activities, responsibilities and procedures.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the ability to:

develop tenders that comprehensively address project requirements

implement management practices that result in a high level of strategic input and accuracy

manage data acquisition from within and external to the organisation

demonstrate conceptual and strategic problem solving and organisation of resources

communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with owners, senior management and employees

comply with legislative and regulatory requirements, standards and codes of practice.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This competency is to be assessed using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints.

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge will usually be conducted in an off-site context.

Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards' requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include:

documentation that should normally be available in a building or construction office to comply with legislation and organisation policies

relevant codes, standards and regulations

office equipment, including calculators, photocopiers and telephone systems

computers with appropriate software to view 2-D CAD drawings, run costing programs and print copies

a technical reference library with current publications on measurement, design, building construction to support underpinning knowledge and manufacturers' product literature

copies of appropriate awards and workplace agreements

a suitable work area appropriate to the tendering process

client file for information and review.

Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must:

satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package

include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application

reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles

confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:

competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace

where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice, with a decision on competency only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's demonstrated ability and applied knowledge

all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence.

Assessment processes and techniques should as far as is practical take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.

Supplementary evidence of competency may be obtained from relevant authenticated documentation from third parties, such as existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Conditions of contract include:

contract clauses and intentions

dispute resolution

general conditions of contract

legislative and regulatory requirements

liabilities

parties' obligations under contracts.

Risk analysis includes:

analysis and revision of data

critical incident analysis and reporting

proposing solutions and recovery scenarios

risk management practices

scheduling and planning for contingencies.

Human and physical resource costs include:

developing and introducing costing methods and systems

development of subcontracting and organisational contracting arrangements

establishing methods of calculating standard times for work activities

establishing personnel review and evaluation processes

evaluation of work practices and industrial relations arrangements

human resource processes, including:

legislative and regulatory requirements

maintaining accuracy and legitimacy of the tender process

management of material costs and information concerning availability

management of work practices and staff discipline

performance appraisal

selection and training of personnel to deal with the tender function.

Tender documentation includes:

drawings and specifications

form of tender

head and sub contracts

pre-contract documentation

tendering codes of practice and standards.

Unit sector

Construction

Nil

This unit contains employability skills.