Tendering Process Research Articles

BidChain: A Blockchain-Based Decentralized Application for Transparent and Secure Competitive Tendering in Public Construction Projects

Deficiencies of tendering systems in public projects can leave governments with subsequent issues in projects and waste taxpayers’ money. Electronic tendering (e-tendering) systems have been found beneficial for awarding public projects; however, current practices still have deficiencies. Legal and security issues and the lack of transparency have been identified as the main shortcomings in current tendering practices. This paper argues that the underlying issue with e-tendering systems is due to their centralized nature. Therefore, this research presents a critical assessment of the blockchain technology in developing distributed e-tendering systems and proposes a novel framework for decentralizing e-tendering systems. The proposed framework is created by integrating three technologies: blockchain, public key infrastructure (PKI), and interplanetary file system (IPFS). Using the proposed framework, a decentralized application (DApp) is developed to demonstrate the concept and evaluate the potentials of blockchain in mitigating the security and legal challenges and improving transparency and trust. The result shows that the reliance on centralized authorities for managing the tendering process is reduced in a blockchain-based e-tendering system, and a transparent and tamper-proof record of the tendering history is distributed among parties.

Flexible Smart Energy-Management Systems Using an Online Tendering Process Framework for Microgrids

Currently, modern power grids are evolving into complex cyber-physical systems integrated with distributed energy resources that can be controlled and monitored by computer-based algorithms. Given the increasing prevalence of artificial intelligence algorithms, it is essential to explore the possibility of energy management in microgrids by implementing control methodologies with advanced processing centers. This study proposes a novel smart multi-agent-based framework under a tendering process framework with a bottom-up approach to control and manage the flow of energy into a grid-connected microgrid (MG). The tendering organization in this structure as an upstream agent allocates demand among generators, creates a balance between supply and demand, and provides optimal energy cost for the MG. To optimize the electricity cost and decrease the use of grid power, the first-price sealed-bid (FPSB) algorithm is implemented over the tendering process. The proposed approach from one side optimally allocates energy among generators, and, from the other side, guarantees the system from blackouts. Theoretical analysis and results demonstrate that the proposed technique is easy to implement and provides a robust and stable control for MGs, which can guarantee energy management as well as flexible and online control. Furthermore, results show the proposed framework besides the real-time allocation of power among providers to optimize the injected power from the grid so that the total injected power by the grid is 146.92 kWh and the injected power to the grid is 214.34 kWh.

The potential mediation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in heat shock protein 27 translocations, caspase-3 and calpain activities and yak meat tenderness during postmortem aging

The present study aimed to characterize the influence of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α on heat shock protein 27 and cytochrome c translocation, yak meat microstructure destruction, and endogenous enzymes activities, refining the understanding of the tenderization process after slaughter. Postmortem yak longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscles were incubated with 0.9% saline or hypoxia-inducible factor-1α stabilizer dimethyloxaloylglycine at 4 °C for 6, 12, 24, 72, and 120 h. Results showed that hypoxia-inducible factor-1α activation promoted heat shock protein 27 migration and cytochrome c release, facilitating (P < 0.05) caspase-3 activity by mediating the heat shock protein 27/caspase-3 interaction but did not exert (P > 0.05) significant effects on the calpain-1 activity. Additionally, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α activation contributed to the mitochondrial apoptosis cascade, leading to a higher (P < 0.01) apoptosis rate. Therefore, these observations indicate that hypoxia-inducible factor-1α affects caspase-3 activity and tenderness of postmortem muscle through distinct regulatory mechanisms, possibly, in part, with heat shock protein 27 and cytochrome c mediation.

A model for optimal bus routes packaging in a competitive contracting environment: A case study of Tehran

Transit authorities often prefer to outsource the bus routes to the private sector through a competitive tendering or negotiation procedure. A major challenge for decision-makers in this area is the optimal arrangement of routes among contracts which directly impacts the operating costs, labor costs, vehicle resources, level of competition between private operators, required subsidy, contract price, and system efficiency. Therefore, this study proposes a new model to find optimal route packages considering the parameters including package size, package revenue, the geographic distribution of routes, and terminal locations. The methodology relies on a genetic algorithm equipped with innovative methods, making it applicable to large-scale urban networks. We programmed both the model and the solution approach in C++ programming language and applied them to the city of Tehran as a real case study, which involved 169 routes and 2,215 bus fleets. In the main scenario, 10 packages were identified and compared with the current packages. The results demonstrated a 7.6% reduction in revenue deviation among the packages, indicating improved balance. Additionally, the routes within each package exhibited geographical concentration, aligning with the common terminal approach. By applying the proposed methodology to the bus network in Tehran, the study highlights the potential of the model in outsourcing bus routes to the private sector in similar real-world practices. It is worth noting that the Tehran Bus Organization has utilized the proposed packages derived from this study in their recent tender processes. Evaluation of the new packages' effectiveness demonstrated a notable decrease of 17% in average bid prices. This reduction directly corresponds to a decrease in operating costs and the required subsidy.

Analysis &amp; Optimization to Improve the Tedious Tendering Process in Construction Industry

Abstract: This analysis and optimization study aims to improve the tedious tendering process in the construction industry. The study identifies the major challenges faced by stakeholders in the tendering process, including high administrative costs, lack of transparency, lengthy bidding periods, and inconsistencies in bid evaluation criteria. Various optimization techniques are proposed, including the use of electronic bidding platforms, standardization of bid evaluation criteria, and the implementation of a two-stage bidding process. The study concludes that implementing these optimization techniques can significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the tendering process, resulting in lower costs, faster bidding periods, and increased transparency.

DNS4EU: a step change in the EU’s strategic autonomy?

ABSTRACT The Domain Name System (DNS) is vital to the internet, enabling everyday uses such as browsing, emailing and chatting. One function in particular – the DNS resolution, performed by resolver operators – allows us to reach what we are looking for online. The market of recursive resolution is highly dynamic and is currently shifting towards open or public resolvers, which tend to belong to large tech companies. In 2022, the European Commission launched the DNS4EU initiative, which established a European resolver as part of the new EU cybersecurity strategy, in order to respond to the resilience, security and privacy needs of the union. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the DNS4EU project, which provided seed funding to a European competitor in a market increasingly dominated by non-EU players. As a critical infrastructure service, the DNS4EU represents one of the first concrete steps towards enhancing the strategic autonomy of the union. But it also constitutes an unprecedented public intervention in a largely private market relying on voluntary adoption. This article contextualises the DNS4EU initiative, outlining both advantages and limitations of the European strategy and related tender process and implementation plan, concluding with a discussion on the future of DNS resolution.

SENGKETA KEPUTUSAN TATA USAHA NEGARA PADA PENGADAAN BARANG/JASA PEMERINTAH DI KEMENTERIAN PERHUBUNGAN REPUBLIK INDONESIA

The tender process at the Ministry of Transportation uses an Electronic Procurement System (SPSE) and a supporting system where the final results in the application tendered by the Selection Working Group are only in the form of Minutes of Election Results (BAHP), which are then reported to the Commitment Making Officer (PPK). to be followed up in the form of a Letter of Appointment of Goods/Services Provider (SPPBJ) whether to accept the results of the Working Group or reject it. In the process of determining this, it turned out that there was a legal debate which resulted in legal uncertainty where the Selection Working Group's determination was in the form of BAHP as the result which was used as the object of the lawsuit. Meanwhile, the opinion of the other panel of judges is inversely proportional to the BAHP issue as the object of this dispute. Apart from that, administrative efforts before filing a lawsuit were also a problem where some of the Panel of Judges passed the dismissal stage and some did not.&#x0D; From the results of the study it was found that the determination of the object of dispute state administrative decisions on the procurement of government goods/services, especially at the Ministry of Transportation of the Republic of Indonesia, was normatively in the basic regulations regarding Government Procurement of Goods/Services, showing the decision to determine the winner of the Working Group in the form of BAHP even though it required approval with PPK can be used as th e object of dispute in disputes over state administrative decisions. In addition, the results also show that the explanations and decisions at the State Administrative Court, the administrative e arrangements for the procurement of goods/services are objections and appeals and a guarantee of 1% (one percent).&#x0D; &#x0D; Keywords: Procurement, goods/services, administrative decision.

A Tool for Evaluating Public Procurement in the Context of Life Cycle Costs

The paper deals with the issue of selection procedures. The goal is to show how it is possible to incorporate a view of life cycle costs into the tender process, and not only deal with the aspect of investment costs. The paper is proposed by the Life Cycle Cost Inspector (LCCI). LCCI divides investment opportunities into individual components with their own operating characteristics and costs, allowing for a clear comparison of different investment alternatives. The tool considers acquisition costs, operating costs, and disposal costs over a specific period. LCCI also allows for reverse evaluation, where investment costs are modified based on efficiency. The tool's universality enables its use across various sectors, not just the construction industry. The author aims to shift public practice from tendering "on price" to "tendering on quality" by providing a simple methodology for comparing investment options based on the entire life cycle costs. The application is based on the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) standard issued by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Price Gap Comparison in Unit Price and Lump Sum Contracts: A Transaction Cost Economic Approach

This study compares two major types of contracts in public procurement, i.e. unit price and lump sum contracts, in terms of the gap between the winner's bid price and owner’s estimated price (OEP) in resulted price gap during the tender process, taking the case of government procurement in Indonesia. Using Indonesian e-tendering data of 2018-2021, this study employs an Ordinary Least Square regression to assess whether there is a difference in the price gap between the two types of contracts. This study finds that the average price gap in unit price contract is significantly higher than that of lump sum contracts. With the help of the transaction cost economics approach, this study discussed that the higher average price gap in unit price contracts is related to a lower information cost and lower risk of having a change order for the contract faced by the bidders. While in a lump sum contract, the winner's bid price is closer to OEP because bidders are faced with design risks that require higher information costs and contract adaptation during the execution phase. The study also found that the use of a unit price contract is significantly related to a longer tendering time due to a longer period in evaluating the bid.

A Framework To Make Voting System Transparent Using Blockhain Technology

Generally, governments release schemes or plans like roadways or industries to some area as different projects. During this process, different types of peoples will be there as supportive or opponent for the schemes. In this project, we presented a secure and transparent framework for government schemes using blockchain. Blockchain is used as a secure and immutable data structure to store the government records that are highly susceptible to tampering. Here, we aim to address these issues to build a transparent and secure edge computing infrastructure for the allocation of government schemes which not only eliminates the need for human supervision or intervention but also makes it easy for the government to keep track and update its policies as time progresses. To solve this issue, we propose the framework to use blockchain technology for creating a decentralized system to perform government scheme processes with ease, transparent, auditable, and immutable. The proposed model consists of a decentralized consortium architecture that combines both the security and privacy of a Permissioned Blockchain and the openness and transparency of a Permission-less Blockchain. The target of the model is to efficiently handle the government tender process securely. The system mainly consists of three types of entities: government officials, citizens and schemes.

Decentralized tendering of construction projects using blockchain-based smart contracts and storage systems

Existing tendering methods for construction projects are centralized and rely on a third party's involvement during the process, hence, the methods raise critical concerns regarding data security, transparency, and traceability, as the bidders have to trust the organizer for the legitimacy and fairness of the process. This paper focuses on how the recent developments in decentralized blockchain technologies can be adopted for tendering of construction projects to improve the traditional process by eliminating intermediaries and ensuring transparency as well as data security. A novel, decentralized blockchain-based tendering system is presented for construction projects, leveraging (i) decentralized smart contracts to execute the tendering steps, including storage of the information throughout the process, management of the bid bonds, evaluation of the bids, and awarding of the contract according to the preset conditions, (ii) blockchain-integrated decentralized storage systems to exchange and store off-chain documents that are related to tendering, and (iii) decentralized application to facilitate the participants' interaction with the proposed system during the tendering process. The proposed system presents a new method for achieving a decentralized, secure, trustworthy, and transparent tendering environment among project participants. The outcomes of the system indicate the potential of future blockchain research for achieving autonomous and decentralized tendering sytems.

Description of the nationally implemented National Health Service digital diabetes prevention programme and rationale for its development: mixed methods study

BackgroundThe National Health Service (NHS) Digital Diabetes Prevention Programme (DDPP) is a behaviour change programme for adults in England who are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Four independent providers deliver the NHS-DDPP following a competitive tendering process. Although providers work to a single service specification, there is potential for some variation in the service across providers. This study (1) assesses fidelity of the structural features of the design of the NHS-DDPP compared to the service specification, (2) describes the structural features of delivery of the NHS-DDPP as implemented (3) reports developers’ views on how the structural components of the NHS-DDPP were developed and why changes were made following implementation.MethodsUsing mixed methods, we conducted a document review of providers’ NHS-DDPP design and delivery documentation, and extracted information using the Template for Intervention Description and Replication checklist, which was adapted to capture features of digital delivery. Documentation was supplemented by content analysis of interviews with 12 health coaches involved in delivering the NHS-DDPP. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with 6 programme developers employed by the digital providers.ResultsProvider plans for the NHS-DDPP show relatively high fidelity to the NHS service specification. Despite this, there was wide variation in structural features of delivery of the NHS-DDPP across providers, particularly for delivery of ‘support’ (e.g. use, dose and scheduling of health coaching and/or group support). Interviews with developers of the programmes showed that much of this variation is likely to be attributable to the origin of each provider’s programme, which was usually a pre-existing programme that was adapted to conform to the NHS-DDPP service specification. The NHS-DDPP is continually improved and developed based on user experience feedback and research conducted by the providers.ConclusionIndirect evidence suggests that variation in delivery of support could affect effectiveness of the NHS-DDPP. A priority for future research is ascertaining whether the variation in delivery of the NHS-DDPP across providers is related to any differences in health outcomes. It is recommended that future rounds of commissioning the NHS-DDPP pre-specify the type of support participants should receive, including expected dose and scheduling.

Knowledge-based engineering and computer vision for configuration-based substation design

Introduction: As the increase in electrification poses new demands on power delivery, the quality of the distribution system is paramount. Substations are a critical part of power grids that allow for control and service of the electrical distribution system. Substations are currently developed in a project-based and manually intensive manner, with a high degree of manual work and lengthy lead times. Substations are primarily sold through tenders that are accompanied by an inherent need for engineering-to-order activities. Although necessary, these activities present a paradox as tender processes must be agile and fast. To remedy this shortcoming, this article outlines a knowledge capture and reuse methodology to standardize and automate the product development processes of substation design. Methods: A novel framework for substation design is presented that implements knowledge-based engineering (KBE) and artificial intelligence methods in computer vision to capture knowledge. In addition, a product configuration system is presented, utilizing high-level CAD templates. The development has followed the KBE methodology MOKA. Results: The proposed framework has been implemented on several company cases where three (simplified) are presented in this paper. The framework decreased the time to create a 3D model from a basic electric single line diagram by performing the identification and design tasks in an automated fashion. Discussion: Ultimately, the framework will allow substation design companies to increase competitiveness through automation and knowledge management and enable more tenders to be answered without losing engineering quality.

Transition of the procurement process to Paris-compatible buildings: consideration of environmental life cycle costing in tendering and awarding

PurposeThe greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by the construction industry account for an enormous share of total global CO2 emissions. The numerous construction activities therefore continue to reduce the remaining carbon budget. One lever for the reduction of these GHG emissions lies in the procurement process of buildings. For this reason, a process model was developed that takes embodied and operational emissions into account in the tendering and awarding phase of buildings.MethodsTo validate the developed theoretical framework, environmental life cycle costing (eLCC) was conducted on a single-family house case study, taking into account external cost caused by GHG emissions. Various shadow prices were defined for the calculation of external cost to identify changes in award decisions. We further investigated a results-based climate finance (RBCF) instrument, i.e., the GHG emission bonus/malus, to demonstrate an approach for calculating Paris-compatible cost (PCC) scenarios.ResultsWe show that an award decision based on life cycle costing (LCC) leads to a 12% reduction in GHG emissions. A further reduction in GHG emissions can be achieved by awarding contracts based on eLCC. However, the required shadow prices within the eLCC awards to influence the award decision are quite high. With the development of the LCA-based bonus/malus system, PCC scenarios can be determined at sufficient shadow prices, and further GHG emission reductions can be achieved.ConclusionsSince the implementation of LCA and LCC in the tendering and awarding process is currently not mandatory, in this context, the next step towards Paris-compatible buildings must first be taken by the awarding authorities as well as the policy-makers. However, the application of the LCA-based bonus/malus system and thus the awarding of contracts according to PCC scenarios show the enormous GHG emissions reduction potential and thus represent an innovative and sustainable framework for an adapted procurement process.

Decision Support Model for Contractor Selection

Introduction: The construction and infrastructure industries in Egypt have recently experienced huge growth, which of course requires methodical planning, full feasibility studies, and wise selections of project executors' teams, including engineering design offices, management agencies, and contracting firms. Consequently, to guarantee achieving the predetermined project designs and objectives, a careful assessment of the incorporating contractor company must be carried out. Problem Statement: Improper contractor selection leads to several problems throughout the project delivery phase, including inadequate quality and delays in the expected project time, which results in cost overruns. Rather, it also sometimes results in suspending the project and failing to complete it. Moreover, in most public and governmental projects, in accordance with law 182/2018, the responsible employee is forced to choose the lowest-priced bid regardless of any other considerations, only passing the project's minimum technical score defined by the appropriate authority, and this is illogical and must be reconsidered. Methodology: In order to find a solution to these problems, the following steps were taken in this paper: (1) Forty-eight factors affecting contractor selection were identified through surveying; (2) the seven most important factors were selected based on the fuzzy Delphi technique (FDT); and (3) competitive contractors were prioritised at the pre-bidding stage for the construction project by utilising the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) combined with the analytic network process (ANP). Results: Seven of the forty-eight factors were selected using the fuzzy Delphi technique, and to calculate their relative weights, AHP and ANP were combined to obtain the most important variables affecting contractor selection. Next, a model user interface for picking contractors was developed to make it easier for project owners and managers to apply. To fully understand how the model functions, a realistic case study involving four bidders competing for the contract has been included. Conclusion: Since government agencies oblige decision-makers to select the lowest-priced bidder, this model can be used during the tendering process's prequalification stage to ensure that all potential contractors are qualified while including the most influential criteria from the Egyptian construction market's perspective.

Is COCOMO and Putnam relevant to e-Government? Software development efforts estimation in e-Government in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the process for estimation of efforts for software development and suggests a framework for estimating software development costs and ensuring quality of code in e-Government projects from the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. With no established processes for estimation of efforts, the Government relied on open bids from the market to develop these e-Government applications.Design/methodology/approachThe paper adopts an exploratory case study approach to analyze the e-Government applications in Andhra Pradesh. Using data from the information technology department of the Government of Andhra Pradesh, the paper evolves a framework to compute costs of software development, based on the software development life cycle.FindingsThe framework helps in arriving at a hurdle price before the tender process. The study has shown that an e-Government application in AP state would cost Rs. 224,000, or US$2,969.25, for a simple application, and Rs. 33,60,000, or US$44,538.71, for a complex application over a five-year period, depending on the complexity and size of the application. This information would be useful to the Government decision-makers for expanding e-Government.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research may assess the utility of this framework for e-Government support activities like automation of data centers, video conferencing facilities and ushering in financial technologies for encouraging cashless payments.Originality/valueThe paper provides information that could be of value at a national level (for India) and at the same time providing a guide for other countries that would like to adopt this framework.

Blockchain-Based- E-Tender Management System

The tendering or contracts are used by governments and companies to procure goods or services providers. E-tendering being the mostly used for procurement method, there are various security implications present. To solve these this issue, we use Blockchain technology. We use of blockchain technology to secure transaction-based documents along with transactions such as to provide a completely transparent tendering process, tender documents, applications, bid proposals, company profiles, past records, approving officer details, and rejections details are all required. In these paper, how smart contracts can be employed to design a distributed e-tendering system is explored. The project is divided into four sections, 1. Tender creations and publishing process, 2. Bidding process on the tender, 3. Evaluations and Negotiation of the bid and 4. Selections of the Winning bid.

Environmental Harms at the Border: The Case of Lampedusa

In this paper I examine authorities’ management of migrant boats on the island of Lampedusa, Italy, as an example of environmental border harm. A danger to trawlers, sunken wrecks are also hazardous to the environment, with pollutants such as oil and fuel seeping into the sea. Migrant boats that reach the island, whether independently or towed by rescuers, are left to accumulate in the harbour and eventually break up, scattering debris in bad weather. When boats are uplifted onto land, they are amassed in large dumps, leaking pollutants into the soil. Periodically, the resulting environmental crises trigger emergency tendering processes for the disposal of the boats, which allow for the environmental protections normally required in public bidding to be suspended for the sake of expediency. The disposal of migrant boats thus relies on a pattern of manufactured environmental emergencies, consistent with the intrinsically crisis-based management of the border itself.

Improving meat tenderness using exogenous process: The consumer response

The aim of this paper is to investigate purchase intention (PI) for meat obtained through a tenderization process based on a treatment with exogenous proteolytic enzymes. Particularly, perceived risks and perceived benefits on the consumer acceptance of tender meat produced through this emerging technology have been evaluated. In order to achieve the stated objective, a survey was conducted on a national representative sample of Italian consumers (N = 1006), who received information about the traditional and the emerging tenderization processes. Principal Component Analysis and Structural Equation Model were applied to the collected data. Results show that consumer purchase intention for meat treated with exogenous proteolytic enzymes was strongly influenced by perceived benefits and weakly influenced by perceived risks. Another important result is that perceived benefits are mainly affected by trust in science. Finally, a Cluster Analysis was performed to distinguish consumer segments with different response patterns.

Optimizing Tendering Process through the Implementation of Improved Version of E-Tendering in a Natural Gas Treatment Company

Optimizing Tendering Process through the Implementation of Improved Version of E-Tendering in a Natural Gas Treatment Company