3.2.2. BIM-Specific Requirements

Low-bid, price-driven competition leads to adversarial relationships as well as an increase in costs, schedule delays and poor quality (Lichtig 2006). Procurement models ensuring the integration of team members during the early design stages maximizes the benefits of a BIM project (Porwal and Hewage 2013). Single stage procurement hinders full BIM adoption notably because contractor bids come too late in the process and there is little scope to agree on improvements with the winning team before commencement of construction (Mosey et al. 2016).

Early contractor procurement models include two-stage open book, which invites tenderers to bid for a project based on an outline brief and cost benchmark (Cabinet Office 2014b). The first stage is similar to the RFQ process, but with only one team being selected on their capacity, capability, stability, experience and strength of their supply chain, plus their profit. In the second stage, the chosen team prepares a proposal based on an open book cost which complies with the client's requirements and cost benchmark (Cabinet Office 2014b). Other early involvement procurement models include early BIM partnering and construction management (Porwal and Hewage 2013). These models ensure cost savings, improved design, risk management, sustainable solutions and stakeholder consultation (Mosey et al. 2016).
