Bid preparation for earthmoving operations
This paper presents a computer system developed to assist earthmoving contractors in preparing proposals. It can also be used by owners and (or) their agents to plan and estimate the cost and duration of earthmoving projects. This is particularly useful for large projects where owners need to define a feasible scope of work that suits their budgets and operating plans. The system has been developed utilizing computer simulation. This paper provides an overview of the developed system and briefly describes its basic components, focusing primarily on the development of the system's database and the procedure used to account for indirect cost components of this class of projects. The paper also demonstrates the capabilities of the developed system in selecting most-suitable equipment fleets, from available equipment, that meet the terms and conditions outlined in bid documents. A project example is analyzed to demonstrate the essential features of the developed system.Key words: bid preparation, earthmoving, equipment database, indirect cost, computer simulation.