At different times during the tender process, time is often spent in refining the rates used to improve the estimate total. Further, some of the tasks within the tender are subcontracted to outside companies. The subcontractors comparison module is an ideal tool to assist with both of these tasks.

To use this module, the original estimate may be used "as is" or sorted into more suitable groupings of items. Regardless of the format, each group of items allows for prices to be obtained from many other subcontractors.

Portions of the estimate can now be sent out to potential subcontractors, including information such as bill reference, item description, estimate quantity and an empty rate column. These subcontractors can also be issued software to price the items they have been requested to price. The aim of electronically pricing these items is to reduce the amount of time needed to re-enter this information at the original user's computer. It also eliminates the possibility of potentially expensive typing errors.

Along with the original estimates quantities and rates, the user now has the ability to reduce the overall cost of a group of items by comparing each subcontractors rates. Even though some subcontractors will not provide prices for all of the items within a group, the user can enter what information is available and then select one or more subcontractors to provide those items where their rates are more competitive.

At the end of this process, a revised estimate total is available. The difference between each original group total and the revised group total is displayed in either a column headed "Add" or "Omit" accordingly. This process can be finally reviewed by management in case an alternate subcontractor is preferred for a group of items, and the impact of any change is reflected.

This product is available as an "add-on" module for Global Estimating.