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1. According to AIA Document A701, Instructions to Bidders represents all of the following, with the exception of which statement?
A. The bidder has read and understands the bidding documents.
B. The bid complies with the bidding documents.
C. The bidder has visited the site and observed the conditions under which the work will be performed.
D. The bid is based, without exception, on the materials, equipment, and systems called for in the bidding documents.
E. The bidder has inspected the construction documents for any errors, inconsistencies, or ambiguities.
ANSWER: C The program should address issues specific to the building and the site, all of the above work except for C.
2. The need to provide for flexibility in the scope of a project can be accommodated by which of the following?
A. Alternates
B. Unit prices
C. Addenda
D. A and B
E. B and C
F. A, B, and C
ANSWER: D The correct answer is D, both alternates and unit prices. An alternate is a proposed possible change in the work (materials, systems, or portions of the project) described in the bidding documents. It allows the amount stated in the bid to be added to or deducted from the base bid if the corresponding change in work is accepted. A unit price is an amounted stated in a bid for materials or services as proposed in the bidding documents. An addendum (pl. addenda) is a written or graphic document issued by the architect before execution of the construction contract that modifies or interprets the bidding documents by additions, deletions, clarifications, or corrections.
3. A bidder wishes to substitute materials or services otherwise specified in the bidding documents and submits a request for approval in writing at least 10 days before the bid submission date. . An architect is required to:
A. Accept the substitution and notify all bidders by addendum.
B. Determine whether the proposed substitution is acceptable, and if so, notify all parties through addendum.
C. Determine whether the proposed substitution is acceptable, and notify that bidder only.
D. Issue an addendum postponing all bids until all bidders have a chance to review the substitution.
ANSWER: B The correct answer is B. The proposed substitution must be reviewed by the architect to determine whether it is acceptable. All bidders must be notified of the changes. Note that no addendum may be made within four days of the final receipt date, except a notice canceling or postponing the request for bids.
4. A bidder discovers an error or ambiguity in the bid documents and informs the architect at least seven days prior to the submission date. The architect should:
A. Thank the bidder and reward his or her helpfulness by not informing other bidders.
B. Discuss the issue at a pre-bid meeting with all bidders present.
C. Issue any changes or addenda that result from the inquiry to all bidders.
D. Issue an add-alternate or deduct-alternate to all bidders.
ANSWER: C The correct answer is C. To maintain the fairness and integrity of the process, all bidders must have a chance to prepare their bids with equal access to information.
5. After bidding is complete and a contractor has been selected, which of the following is not a reasonable course of action.
A. The successful bidder should be informed in a way that does not form a legally binding agreement before contract documents are signed.
B. Bids of the next lowest bidders are returned or discarded.
C. The contractor asks for assurance that sufficient financial arrangements have been made to undertake the project.
D. The contractor furnishes names of proposed suppliers of materials and equipment, details of the amount of work to be undertaken by the contractor’s forces, and a list of intended subcontractors for the architect’s approval.
E. The contractor submits a bond in accordance with the owner’s requirements as expressed in the instruction to bidders.
ANSWER: B The unreasonable action is B. It makes sense to retain the bids of the next two or three lowest bidders as a contingency measure. Once selected, the successful bidder must undertake the work for the agreed price or risk forfeiting the bid bond (if any). Withdrawal from the project by the winning bidder may be appropriate the bidder can prove substantial error in the bid calculation
