How to Write a Bid Scope Subcontractors Can Price
A bid scope tells each subcontractor what to furnish, install and coordinate. List the governing drawings, shared responsibilities and alternates so subcontractors are pricing comparable work.
Assign each handoff to a trade or an owner-furnished package.
Start with the document list
Identify sheets, specifications, bid forms and applicable addenda. Tell bidders where revised information supersedes the original.
Assign the trade interfaces
For a rooftop unit, list who buys the unit, who lifts it, who provides the curb, who flashes the roof and who supplies the feeder and disconnect.
Give alternates a format
State whether the bidder should price an add or deduct, define the base scope it changes and require bidders to show exclusions with the alternate.
Level the returned quotes
Use a line-by-line comparison to mark included, excluded and unclear items. Ask bidders to clarify before carrying the totals.