THE FOUR HOUR BID PLAN

 

The four hour bid time limit plan has been successfully used by the Panhandle of Texas Chapter, AGC since July 10, 1961.

The plan generally states that ‘no bids for materials or labor will be accepted later than four hours prior to a bid opening time.

There are six rules pertaining to the four hour bid time limit plan. The rules are sent to each General Contractor bidding a job subject to the plan. The rules follow:

1.         No quotation for material and/or labor to be accepted later than four hours prior to bid opening time.

2.         Electronic (fax, e-mail, etc.) bids must indicate a sending time and a receiving time by the General Contractor of at least four hours prior to bid opening time.

3.         Out-of-town mailed bids must bear postmark indicating mailing at least four hours prior to bid opening time and must be received by the General Contractor prior to bid time.

4.         The General Contractors agree that all bids for materials and labor may be withdrawn but not changed during the four hour period.

5.         The General Contractors agree to hold all bids as confidential before and during the four hour period.

6.         The General Contractors agree that each General Contractor bidder shall, on a standard form, name the subcontractor or material supplier in each of the major divisions of work that the General Contractor used in the preparation of his bid. These sealed forms to be filed with the Executive Director of the Panhandle of Texas Chapter, AGC, or other designated person prior to bid time. After the general bids have been opened and the low bidder announced, the Executive Director or other designated person shall open only the sealed form of the low general bidder and this form may be examined by any bidding contractor and material supplier. Sealed forms of all other General Contractors shall be returned unopened.

 

OPTIONAL BID DEPOSITORY PLAN

There are five methods available to assist suppliers and subcontractors in getting bids to the General Contractors by deadline time. They are mail, phone, hand delivery, electronic facilities, and the optional bid depository plan. The depository is located in the Panhandle of Texas Chapter’s office at 1707 West 8^th, Amarillo. The sealed bids, one to each General Contractor asking for quotations, will be in a locked box to be opened four hours prior to bid time by the Chapter’s Executive Director.

            The depository operates as follows:

1.         A bid depository will be available at AGC office.

2.         Depository will be closed promptly four hours prior to bid time.

3.         Sub-bidders may at their option deposit bids at any time before deadline.

4.         AGC Executive Director will open depository and sort bids after deadline.

5.         General Contractors will pick up bids when available.

6.         Depository will be available to all sub-bidders and General Contractors whether members of AGC or not.

7.         Use of depository is in no way compulsory. It is established for the use of those who wish to use it.