Skip to main content

Client role in pre-tender stage planning

Short answer

A client is the owner who finances and awards the project. During the pre-tender stage, the client defines the need, conducts feasibility studies, arranges finance and land, appoints consultants, decides the contract strategy, prepares or approves tender documents, fixes qualification criteria, and publishes the tender notice.

Define client and discuss the role of a client during the pre-tender stage (pre-tender stage planning by client).

Client

A client (owner or employer) is the person, organisation or government agency that needs the project, finances it, and awards the contract for its design and construction.

Role of the client in pre-tender stage planning

The pre-tender stage is the period from the idea of the project until tenders are invited. The client:

  1. Defines the need and objectives, scope and requirements of the project.
  2. Feasibility studies: technical, economic, financial, social and environmental studies (IEE/EIA).
  3. Arranges finance and budget approval; fixes a cost ceiling.
  4. Acquires land and clears legal issues, permits and right of way.
  5. Appoints the consultant for survey, design, drawings, specifications, estimate and bill of quantities.
  6. Decides the contract strategy: type of contract, procurement method, packaging of work, and the duration.
  7. Prepares or approves tender documents: instructions to bidders, conditions of contract, technical specifications, drawings, BOQ, and the bid security amounts.
  8. Fixes qualification criteria and decides pre-qualification if needed.
  9. Approves the master programme and the cost estimate; appoints the tender evaluation committee.
  10. Publishes the tender notice and arranges the site visit and pre-bid meeting.

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

Related questions

All Construction Management chapter 2 questions →