Added value of extensive asset information in the highway A27 Everdingen-Hooipolder tender – research report
Ruth Sloot
About the main author
Ruth Sloot is a PhD candidate at the Integrated Project Delivery research group at the University of Twente. She has a civil engineering background and an Engineering Doctorate (EngD) in Building Information Model (BIM) applications for construction logistics. During this time, she developed contractual provisions for the implementation of 4D BIM in the tender of infrastructure projects. After obtaining her EngD, she briefly served as an information management consultant for clients and contractors of large-scale infrastructure projects. Her PhD research is focused on the digital transformation processes of public, project-based organisations. This research project is funded by Rijkswaterstaat.
Short abstract
Without current, reliable, and complete asset information, future contractors cannot accurately assess the costs and risks associated with a project. However, it's important to note that having 'only' complete asset information isn't sufficient. This research shows that the value of asset information also hinges on the procurement strategy employed for a project. A tender is a competition where bidders naturally prioritise winning the contract. As a result, there might not be a direct correlation between risk assessment and the pricing of risks. Based on asset information, pricing risks could lead to higher bids and the potential loss of a tender. Therefore, having a procurement strategy that offers incentives for thorough risk assessment and pricing is crucial for realising the added value of extensive asset information during the tender process.
Extended abstract
Asset information is required to manage the infrastructure after the construction or maintenance of a civil infrastructure. Therefore, Rijkswaterstaat obliges contractors to provide the corresponding asset information after construction and maintenance. Asset information is, for example, (as built) design drawings, asset condition information, and geographical and geological information.
Asset information is crucial for making informed decisions in infrastructure projects. Accurate, Reliable, and Complete (ARC) asset information enables contractors to develop strategies, estimate costs accurately, and better manage risks. The A27 Everdingen-Hooipolder tender provides a suitable case to investigate the added value of ARC asset information. The contracting authority has conducted extensive ARC assessments and structured the asset information using the Object Type Library (OTL). The research provides insights into the preparation and progress of the tender. It specifically examines the use of asset data in the development of bids and in assessing and pricing risks by bidders in the tender.
Overall, the tender and the added value of the ARC asset information have been positively reviewed. Both the contracting authority and the bidders acknowledged the importance of asset data in the tender. A uniform structure based on the OTL has led to the logical accessibility of asset data and contributed to more efficient handling of inquiries. Upon receiving a query, it could easily be checked whether the information had been received and passed on. This has resulted in improved traceability of received and delivered information. In addition, the extensive ARC assessments contributed to a complete dossier of asset data, with the provision of editable document versions particularly appreciated by the bidders.
Nevertheless, several areas for improvement have also been identified. Firstly, the timeliness of data regarding the road surface, especially the asphalt overlay, is a significant concern. Current data, especially for civil structures and asphalt, were essential to provide adequate advice. Data on the underlying road network, stormwater drainage, and traffic control installations were also missing. Bidders believed this missing information was important because it provided insights into potential issues, costs, and future maintenance.
Without current, reliable, and complete asset information, future contractors cannot accurately assess the costs and risks associated with a project. However, it's important to note that having 'only' complete asset information isn't sufficient. This research shows that the value of asset information also hinges on the procurement strategy employed for a project. A tender is a competition where bidders naturally prioritise winning the contract. As a result, there might not be a direct correlation between risk assessment and the pricing of risks. Based on asset information, pricing risks could lead to higher bids and the potential loss of a tender. Therefore, having a procurement strategy that offers incentives for thorough risk assessment and pricing is crucial for realising the added value of extensive asset information during the tender process.
Additional/further reading
· Link to the article (open access): (PDF) A2 7 Everdingen-Hooipolder Onderzoeksrapport Toegevoegde waarde van areaalinformatie in de aanbesteding (researchgate.net)
· LinkedIn: Click this link
· Website: https://www.utwente.nl/en/bms/el-ips/