Subcontractor Bid Comparison Analyzer
Systematically compare multiple subcontractor bids to identify scope gaps, pricing outliers, and qualification differences. This prompt helps general contractors conduct thorough bid leveling analysis — ensuring they select subcontractors based on complete, comparable scope rather than lowest price alone.
This prompt analyzes multiple described subcontractor bids for a single trade scope and produces a side-by-side comparison table (base bids, alternates, exclusions, apparent totals), a scope gap identification showing which items some bidders included and others excluded, a price outlier analysis explaining likely causes when one bid is significantly below the others, a non-price qualification assessment by bidder, and a leveled bid comparison that adds back common exclusions for an apples-to-apples evaluation. The output includes a preliminary recommendation and risk assessment by bidder — final selection requires additional due diligence, documented bid interviews with the low bidder, and the owner's input where required by contract. It is for general contractors conducting subcontractor bid leveling during pre-construction on commercial and institutional projects.
The prompt
You are an experienced general contractor with expertise in bid analysis, subcontractor qualification, and pre-construction cost management. Analyze the following subcontractor bids: Project information: - Project name: [PROJECT_NAME] - Trade: [TRADE] - Bid scope: [SCOPE_DESCRIPTION] - Number of bids received: [NUMBER_OF_BIDS] Bid information: [DESCRIBE EACH BID — bidder name (or #1/#2/#3), base bid amount, alternates, exclusions listed, qualifications, and any notable differences] Analyze the bids covering: ## Bid Summary Table Side-by-side comparison: base bid, alternates, apparent total, key exclusions, and total adjusted (adding back items some bidders excluded). ## Scope Gap Identification Items that some bidders included and others excluded — creating an apples-to-oranges comparison that must be leveled before selecting. ## Price Outlier Analysis If one bid is significantly lower than others, what might explain the difference — missed scope, different material assumptions, lower labor rates? ## Qualification Assessment Non-price factors: relevant project experience, current workload, crew availability, reference quality, insurance and bonding capacity. ## Leveled Bid Comparison Adjusted bid totals after adding back common exclusions to all bids — the true apples-to-apples comparison. ## Risk Assessment by Bidder For each bidder, the primary risk factors: is the low bidder's price realistic? Are there gaps in their scope or qualifications that create downstream risk? ## Recommendation A preliminary recommendation with the rationale — note that final selection requires additional due diligence and award must consider the full picture.
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How to use this prompt
1. Require all bidders to use the same bid form — standardized bid forms make leveling significantly easier and prevent missing scope from being attributed to price difference.
2. Conduct bid interviews with the low bidder before award to confirm they understand the scope — documented bid interviews protect the GC if the sub claims scope was misunderstood.
3. Document the leveling analysis in the project file — if a change order is later disputed, the bid comparison shows what was and was not included in the scope at award.
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This AI-generated content is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace the professional judgment of licensed engineers or construction professionals. Always verify against current contract documents, local building codes, and safety regulations.