Transactions of the International Engineering Congress, 1915 Volume 1, No. 1 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1916 edition. Excerpt: ...covering the physical and chemical requirements desired should be drawn with a view not only of obtaining satisfactory material but also of obtaining the cheapest material which under the circumstances will meet the needs. It is noted that the statement is made that the cheapest material acceptable under the conditions of its intended use should be obtained, and not that the cheapest article must be taken. There is a very widespread but mistaken idea that the low bidder on government work is in every case entitled to the award. If the statement were "the low bidder under and in accordance with the specifications," there would in the opinion of the writer be some virtue in the claim. Even here, however, other conditions must be considered as, for example, the former performance of contracts by the same bidder, his known ability to perform the work, his available facilities for carrying it out and a consideration as to whether the price bid is sufficient to permit furnishing the material desired without loss. The last consideration is desirable but is not without difficulties in execution. A government official is not authorized to reject a bid, nor even to permit a bidder to withdraw a bid, unless it can be clearly shown that it was Dased on a clerical error. A plea that the conditions were not properly judged, or that certain items were forgotten, is not sufficient to permit a bidder to withdraw. On the other hand, even if the price does appear unwarrantably low, there may be reasons which enable or induce the bidder to offer his material at an apparent losing figure. For example, he may have surplus stock which he desires to clear, or he may have purchased raw material at a former very low figure. Frequently, in connection with the...