Exposing uncertainty in bid preparation of steel construction cost estimating: I. Conceptual framework and qualitative C-I-V-I-L classification

In construction cost estimating, bid documents - drawings and specifications - are a primary means to communicate design intent to bidders who then extract cost item quantities. However, uncertainties in conveying information affect the accuracy of quantity takeoffs. Therefore, the goal of this research is to explore types of uncertainties that hamper the quantity takeoff process. This text analyzes bid documents, including architectural, structural, and other plans of real-world school projects with structural steel frames in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Contributions to the body of knowledge are (1) deriving a classification of five major types from 67 minor uncertainties as collected in the Conflicting/Incomplete/Vague/Incorrect/Lack-of-Work-Assignment (C-I-V-I-L) mnemonic; (2) establishing a framework of information flow between bid participants to explain how uncertainties arise; and (3) extracting contradictions between current contract rules to resolve conflicts in bid documents. This research addresses such uncertainties, which can translate into more accurate cost estimates and time savings when building these designs.