A comprehensive formal approach to the evaluation of bids for desalination plants using verbal judgment

Bid evaluation, an important part of bidding activities, is the most critical part to determine the quality of bidding. For large volume and complex technology projects, the comprehensive evaluation method is usually used in China. It is known that the selection of bid evaluation method has a great influence on the quality of bidding. In the face of the basic situation of China, although the comprehensive evaluation method is basically competent for the bidding work, it still has the defects of human factors in the evaluation of the bid. Therefore, it is essential to improve the bidding evaluation method. This paper mainly evaluates the bid evaluation activities of construction projects based on the comprehensive weighted evaluation method. Through the accumulation of relevant theoretical and practical research results, the author sorts out the advantages and disadvantages of various evaluation methods and analyzes the scientificity, fairness, and practicability of the established project bidding as well as the evaluation model in the evaluation of bidders through the actual project bidding and evaluation case. Combined with the mathematical model and case analysis, the bid evaluation activity is solved by the computer program, and the conventional bid evaluation results and the mathematical model evaluation results are compared to get more accurate bid evaluation results.

The bid evaluation of construction project is a multivariate evaluation. Based on the principal component analysis which is included in multivariate statistical analysis, this paper establishes the multi-index comprehensive bid evaluation model of construction project, and proposes that how to calculate the evaluation index weight by introducing the variance contribution ratio, and that how to determine the number of principal components by making comprehensive consideration with an introduction of accumulated contribution ratio and factor load. Finally, an example is given to prove the convenience and feasibility of this bid evaluation method. This method has some characteristics: It overcomes deficiencies like large number of evaluation indexes, the overlap of the information that contained in evaluation indexes, and the determination of weight is artificial. The results of bid evaluation are objective and reasonable, which are suit for the evaluation of multi-index systems of large construction projects.

In order to ensure a smooth construction project, it is necessary to select an appropriate contractor. However, traditional bid evaluation methods are highly subjective in determining weights. Data envelopment analysis (DEA), a comprehensive bid evaluation method that considers multiple factors, was introduced to reduce subjectivity and provide a simple yet comprehensive method for evaluating bids. Based on the existing cross-evaluation and balance index models, this research proposed a new DEA ranking model—the comprehensive input efficiency model, as well as its specific application steps. Additionally, a case study on selecting contractors for a water engineering project was presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of this model. The results indicated that the comprehensive input efficiency model could achieve the same ranking function as the balance index and was suitable for assessing bidders’ relative efficiency. Moreover, the comprehensive input efficiency model proposed in this research is more simplified. Thus, this research compensates for the drawbacks of the existing comprehensive evaluation models in that the bid evaluation process is cumbersome, thereby extending the research on DEA methods in bid evaluation. Additionally, the model provides tenderers with a more efficient and effective bid evaluation method to select the most appropriate contractor. In the future, research may be conducted to apply DEA to other types of projects, including service projects, real estate, and consulting services.

Actually, in multi-index evaluation, evaluation results, which come from the linear evaluation model that is established based on a hypothesis that attributes of indexes completely meet linear compensation, always are not able to satisfy decision makers. Aiming at that impractical hypothesis, this paper improves the bid evaluation which only takes comprehensive evaluation value of a plan as the measure, and the concepts of index satisfaction and relevance of plans are introduced. Then weight of the index is calculated through the optimization model which is established by the idea of minimum deviation, and a rank correlation model is established between satisfaction and weight. Two elements of comprehensive evaluation value and relevance should be considered together, so a new bid evaluation which takes the relative closeness of the plan as measure index is proposed. Finally, through case study, it proves that with that new bid evaluation, theories of the exact decision making principles are clear, the evaluation results are reasonable and credible, and the method is feasible and practical.

In addition to China bid evaluation subject of the legal responsibilities and rights are not equal, the bid evaluation committee's temporary and project the long-term is contradictory. Therefore, when the tenderee was not satisfied with the evaluation results, it is difficult to recover and responsibility to their own interests. In view of the present evaluation mechanism based on the bid evaluation committee, there are not experts in the same level, it is difficult for experts to make a comprehensive evaluation of the tender documents in a limited time, and the evaluation effect is not obvious and so on. The article analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of Individual evaluation and agent evaluation, and then points out the discount factor on the tenderee and bid evaluation agent from the game, proves that the feasibility of bid evaluation agent, finally constructs the basic countermeasures of agent evaluation. It opens up a new perspective to further standardize the bidding market mechanism.

In Japanese PFI bid evaluation, it is pointed out that qualitative items are not sufficiently considered.In this paper, to establish a bid evaluation method considering qualitative items properly, the mechanisms of some comprehensive evaluation methods are analized by using a concept of utility maximization in micro economics. Then how to evaluate qualitative items properly throughout subjective judgment is discussed by comparing with the evaluation systems in competitive sports.

In this paper, four bidding enterprises participated in the tendering of municipal engineering construction are evaluated in the bidding process, tendering process and bid evaluation of a large museum by applying the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method and referring to features of municipal engineering construction projects, so as to select the best bidder. With this method, there will be few subjective factors influencing the decision makers during the bid evaluation process, which can reflect the strength of each bidder objectively and accurately, and improve the bid evaluation method in comprehensiveness and rationality.

How to purchase social capital effectively concerns the success or failure of PPP project. In the bidding process, due to the fuzziness of project information in PPP project, it is difficult for experts to quantify the scores of various indicators of social capital. However, traditional project information is relatively clear. If traditional project evaluation method is simply applied to the PPP project procurement, it is likely to be difficult to accept. Therefore, based on triangular fuzzy multi-attributes decision-making theory, this paper takes the situation that decision makers are unable to give accurate measurement due to the fuzziness of project information into account and selects suitable bidding evaluation indicators to establish corresponding evaluation model. By means of TOPSIS, this model could carry out a comprehensive evaluation of social capital and obtain the ranking quickly by which we could obtain a more reasonable bidding evaluation results of PPP project. The case analysis proves practicality and effectiveness of this model.

A special Partial Least Squares (PLS) path decision modeling for bid evaluation of large construction projects

The escalating threat of water scarcity presents a dual challenge to both food production and water-related systems. The degradation of conventional water resources (e.g., surface water and ground water), coupled with insufficient investment in infrastructure, has compelled the water sector to seek alternative sources such as Non-Conventional Water Resources (NCW), encompassing reclaimed water reuse and desalination of brackish and seawater, as a long-term strategy, particularly in arid and semi-arid environments where irrigation is a vital component. Recognizing the substantial potential of NCWs, this research presents the outcomes of an extensive study [1]. The study adopts a multidisciplinary approach, specifically employing Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM), to assess the effectiveness of smart city water management strategies within the framework of NCWs. Utilizing representative criteria, our analysis involves objective judgment, assigns weights through the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), and scores strategies based on their adherence to these criteria. Our findings underscore the pivotal role of the "Effectiveness and Risk Management" criterion, carrying the highest weight at 15.28%, in shaping strategy evaluation and ensuring robustness. Criteria with medium weight include "Resource Efficiency, Equity, and Social Considerations" (10.44%), "Integration with Existing Systems, Technological Feasibility, and Ease of Implementation" (10.10%), and "Environmental Impact" (9.84%), focusing on ecological mitigation. Recognizing the importance of community engagement, "Community Engagement and Public Acceptance" (9.79%) is highlighted, while "Scalability and Adaptability" (9.35%) address the dynamics of changing conditions. Balancing financial and governance concerns are "Return on Investment" (9.07%) and "Regulatory and Policy Alignment" (8.8%). Two low-weight criteria, "Data Reliability" (8.78%) and "Long-Term Sustainability" (8.55%), emphasize data accuracy and sustainability. Strategies with higher weights, such as "Smart Metering and Monitoring, Demand Management, Behavior Change," and "Smart Irrigation Systems," prove highly effective in enhancing water management in smart cities. Notably, medium-weighted strategies (e.g., "Educational Campaigns and Public Awareness," "Policy and Regulation," "Rainwater Harvesting," "Offshore Floating Photovoltaic Systems," "Collaboration and Partnerships," "Graywater Recycling and Reuse," and "Distributed Water Infrastructure") and low-weighted strategies (e.g., "Water Desalination") also contribute significantly, allowing for customization based on each smart city's unique context. This research is of significance as it addresses the complexity of urban water resource management, offering a multi-criteria approach that enhances traditional single-focused methods. It comprehensively evaluates water strategies in smart cities and provides a criteria-weight-based resource allocation framework for sustainable decision-making, thereby boosting smart city resilience. It is essential to acknowledge that results may vary depending on specific smart city needs and constraints. Future studies are encouraged to explore factors such as climate change's impact on water management in smart cities and consider alternative MCDM methods like Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) or Elimination and Choice Expressing the Reality (ELECTRE) for strategy evaluation.[1] Bouramdane, A.-A., Optimal Water Management Strategies: Paving the Way for Sustainability in Smart Cities. Smart Cities 2023, 6, 2849–2882. https://doi.org/10.3390/smartcities6050128  

A new comprehensive evaluation based on triangular fuzzy number method is put forward in this paper, according to the principle of fuzzy comprehensive evaluation and using trichotomy to determine membership function. And a calculation example is illustrated by using the method presented. The method is a reference to the bid evaluation in the future.

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate how procurement strategies may be designed to facilitate exploration and exploitation in construction projects.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on a literature review of organizational research and construction management literature together with a brief interview study of Swedish clients and contractors.FindingsThe theoretical and empirical findings propose that small and simple projects with low uncertainty and scarce resources may focus on exploitation to enhance short-term efficiency through traditional procurement strategies including delivery systems that separate the actors and their activities (i.e. pure design-build- or design-bid-build-contracts), fixed price payment and price focus in bid evaluation. Large complex projects with high uncertainty and customization benefit from combining exploration and exploitation to enhance sustainable performance. This requires collaborative procurement strategies including joint specification through early contractor involvement, cost reimbursement coupled with incentive-based payment, bid evaluation based on multiple criteria and collaborative tools and activities in partnering arrangements.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper contributes to organizational learning literature by pinpointing the need for integrating procurement strategies that enhance combination of exploration and exploitation. The main contribution to the construction management literature involves the investigation of how procurement strategies may affect exploration and exploitation, as identified and articulated in the propositions developed in this paper.Practical implicationsFrom a practical perspective, the findings highlight the importance of tailoring procurement strategies to project characteristics to enhance a suitable balance between exploration and exploitation in construction projects.Originality/valueThe explicit focus on the operational project-level is uncommon but relevant in organizational learning literature.

Many construction projects incur negative social costs during the construction period. The negative impacts on society and the environment associated with infrastructure projects in urbanized areas, which are regarded as public goods, can be reduced by taking social costs into account in the bid evaluation process. This paper presents a literature review of methods developed by researchers around the world for quantifying social costs. Then, on the basis of an indicator system established to evaluate the social costs associated with Urban infrastructure projects, a new bid evaluation process which takes into social costs into consideration is proposed. To overcome the difficulty in measuring social costs, a method was developed for synthetically evaluating the pre-bid estimate of social costs based on the experience of an expert or a group of experts. The model utilizes a comprehensive fuzzy set evaluation method to select the most reasonable bid.

This study aims to determine and describe the feasibility of vannamei shrimp cultivation in Teluk Pambang Village, Bantan District, Bengkalis Regency. This type of research is descriptive. In this study, interview techniques were used to collect data. Researchers are interested in studying how the business feasibility study on the vannamei shrimp farming business of the Cooperative Produksi Generasi Mandiri is seen from two indicators, namely non-financial aspects and financial aspects. According to research results and conclusions, non-financial aspects have several indicators, namely: technical aspects, environmental aspects, marketing aspects, management aspects, economic and social aspects, human resource aspects, and legal aspects. From the non-financial aspect, it is stated that it is very feasible to run because it has met the assessment criteria for several non-financial aspect indicators. From a financial point of view, it is analyzed using the profit/loss (L/R) method at IDR 2,095,090,000, the benefit-cost ratio (B/C ratio) of 1.47, and the break-even point (BEP) at a BEP price of IDR 549,000,000. With a total of 8,280 units and a payback period (PP) of 1.2 years, the Vannamei shrimp farming business of the Mandiri Production Cooperative is declared very feasible to run.

The construction project bidding is a feasible method in engineering transactions and the main competition form of the construction activities under the conditions of the market economy. The bid assessment is an important link of bidding, and whether bid evaluation method is scientific or not, is directly related to the success of the tender. In the engineering construction field, at present the current commonly used evaluation methods are the comprehensive evaluation method and the lowest bidding price evaluation method. Based on fuzzy set theory and multi-objective people decision theory, we introduce fuzzy multi-objective people decision-making evaluation methods. And conducting research to put forward the evaluation index and weight method to determine the bidding decision model. Finally we apply it to actual case to make out the more standardized and scientific bidding evaluation method.