Special Experimental Project (SEP-14) Alternate Surfacing Bidding

This report contains a discussion of the alternate bidding process used on a highway project in Kansas. It discusses the background, bidding process, evaluation of the bids, and conclusions drawn from the experience. It also includes a customer survey and analysis of the bids submitted by contractors. The analysis of the bids received and the estimates made by Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) show little difference in price, had KDOT selected the pavement type rather than let it as an alternate. The alternate bid process resulted in the agency receiving the least cost project. However, the objective of selecting surface type for the mainline pavement was not realized. The analysis also shows that had KDOT let the major work items such as surfacing, grading, and bridges, separately it may have realized additional savings. However, KDOT may have faced some challenges administering a project with multiple contractors.

• Record URL:
  http://www.ksdot.org/PublicLib/publicDoc.asp?ID=003785317
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Kansas Department of Transportation

  Bureau of Materials and Research, 700 SW Harrison Street
  Topeka, KS  United States  66603-3745

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Gisi, Andrew J
• Publication Date: 2009-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Edition: Initial Report
• Features: Appendices;
• Pagination: 36p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Competitive bidding; Contracting
• Identifier Terms: Kansas Department of Transportation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Alternate bid process; State highway projects
• Geographic Terms: Kansas
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Highways; I10: Economics and Administration;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01127420
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-KS-09-1
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Apr 29 2009 4:09PM