DE10051073A1 - Method for electronically carrying out bidding and procuring processes, involves storing each bid/offer from a number of bidders, in the databank - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for electronically carrying out bidding- procuring-processes, requires initially storing costs-planning of an enquirer in a databank in which the costs-planning contains a number of catalogue filings. Each application or bids of a number of bidders is stored in a databank, in which each bid for at least one catalogue filing in the costs-planning defines at least one of the bid price functions, depending on the bid quantity. A virtual consortium from the number of bidders is automatically determined.

Description

This invention relates to the field of electronic commerce and more particularly the automation and improvement of tendering processes.

So far, services in construction, building management or in Plant engineering planned and procured by the service object from the Er Knowledge horizon of the procurer using their own or standardized Specifications are defined. These specifications are then by cost experience values at different levels of detail as Cost planning for the decision-making processes on the procurement side shown det. With a positive procurement decision, the performance descriptions in full or in part. The providers of services conditions calculate an offer for these service descriptions. The sum of all declining offers are then evaluated by the procurement side and to the Supplier selection decision making in the form of a provider overview provides.

The procedure for such procurement processes is at least for the Construction area regulated by relevant business process design regulations, for example, through the provisions of Section 15 of Archi's fee schedule tect and engineering services, the regulations of VOB / A and additionally So-called procurement guidelines from public or non-public procurement institutions NEN.

The efforts so far in the change of planning and procurement processes based on program-based processes and electronic communication in addition to the now widespread use of CAD and AVA software in the planning and procurement and implementation industries comprehensive solutions for suppliers (handicrafts, construction industry) for the definition of standardized data exchange formats (for example "GAEB") guided. Overall, however, only partial approaches to rationalization were made  of the business processes realized, for example, through the Avoid media breaks using the data exchange format GAEB, because The creator of service descriptions these the providers in a computer provide readable form. For larger new building projects there is meanwhile also the possibility to transfer all project data on one to all involved manage the data server accessible on the Internet.

The following problems have not yet been solved, particularly in the area of old building renovation and facility management:

• 1. The effort for creating on the service descriptions building accurate cost planning is relatively high. So first of all Service elements of the planning objects individually compiled. To The creator of the service specifications usually uses at least Parts of existing service descriptions (e.g. from so-called "Standard service specifications"), with the help of which the intended services to be discribed. An individual quantity is then used for these services framework determined (so-called mass determination). The performance is only in this form descriptions can be presented in a form that also evaluates costs, by a corresponding set of values for the individual elements of the quantity structure is assigned. Less expensive cost planning procedures are corresponding accordingly in accordance with those regulated in DIN 276 (building construction costs) or in the HOAl The procedure so far has only been cost estimates based on their accuracy with high safety margins of up to 30%.
• 2. The methodical accuracy of cost statements is in the previous one unsatisfactory, because the transfer of experience is available the value frameworks on the service elements no quantity-dependent costs functions of the individual values and, on the other hand, a transfer individual values from elements of experience on different content elements is unreliable. So far, only after the existence of evaluated offers a relative cost accuracy can be produced.  
• 3. The effort for creating offers is relative for the provider high because their calculations are analogous to the procedure of the author of Lei service descriptions must be created.
• 4. The coverage of the object of performance by different providers different performance areas (individual award, award in lots) has for the procurement side the disadvantage that the coordination of the providers in the process of Service provision is a task of the procurement side. For this reason In recent decades, the so-called market share in Germany has also General or turnkey provider or integrated provider considerably ver enlarges. When procuring services through such providers are the Coordination tasks are usually part of the contractor's duties.

The object of the invention is to solve the problems mentioned entirely or at least Part to solve. In particular, the invention is intended to optimize an given criterion or predetermined criteria in an automatic manner become light.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method with the features of Claim 1, a device with the features of claim 5 and a Com Computer program product with the features of claim 10 solved. The dependent Claims relate to preferred embodiments of the invention.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the business processes of Cost planning, tendering and quotation calculation with one procedure works in which the performance elements managed in a database for defin order types and planning objects both for planning purposes of the customers which are standardized as well as for the offer price formation of the suppliers. It is preferably provided for the Lei offer price functions to store values from the providers with the help of which Creation of service descriptions by customers using the defined Service elements the entire planning through value structures of real provider prices mapped, so it can be calculated automatically. Preferably, the ge All costs / total offer price for planning automatically  determined by a for all service areas of a service description - according to the ideas of the procuring side as optimally defined - Combination of providers is put together.

Preferred applications of the invention relate to planning, tendering, Offer consortium formation, offer processing, contract negotiation, through Management and billing of service areas of machines and systems construction, building management or construction.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, a method is provided with individual, some or all of the following features:

• a) Verbally described performance elements is one by the object or Project parameters individually definable quantity structure assigned in such a way that performance that is customary from the demand side Get descriptions for the procurement or tender.
• b) The structure of the service elements is also on the Internet accessible database quantified and verbally defined.
• c) The service elements are applied using the planning procedure a selection is compiled, and the specification is by Parameter description created according to the specific planning goals.
• d) For the service elements of providers in the scope of each offered range of services prices calculated and in one also over the Internet accessible database entered.
• e) According to the service specifications created, the Ver drive prices of the offered service elements of possible providers from the Database and thus calculates the total cost of planning the procurement Page.  
• f) According to the procurement side, the system side and the Parameters defined by the providers will be one for the creation of the total combination of providers ("virtual Offer consortium ") compiled in such a way that a price optimum arises.
• g) The service content and cost estimates of the automated cost calculation can be from the inquiring and / or the offering side in one multi-stage process changed in accordance with further adjustment needs become that from the will of the inquiring and offering side appropriate contracts can be drawn up.

The invention is preferably designed as a computer system with which data for planning building projects, building management (facility management ment) or for plant construction from a central computer by a user PC can be received, edited and sent over the Internet.

The data in the form of power element catalogs and program-based ver Driving instructions are in preferred embodiments on the Zentralcom computer in a database according to one, some or all of the following features structured:

Data with which users of the customer type can carry out planning for the purpose of creating a service description,

• - Data with which users of the type supplier offer prices for the purpose store the order acquisition on the central computer,
• - Data used to create quoted offers for planning can be
• - Data with which contracts between customers and suppliers in the form of Work contracts and consortium contracts are drawn up between the suppliers can,
• - Data with which those provided within contracts concluded Services of suppliers can be billed to customers,
• - Data with which users of the type system operator the actions of the Control and monitor user types customer and supplier,  
• - Data with which users of the type system partner perform the actions of the Control and monitor user types customer and supplier.

In preferred configurations of the invention, the power elements are structured and described according to one, some or all of the following features:

• - Membership of the elements in an element group, which the elements according to their use in the manner described one component, one Component group or a service area for the users of a building assigns; Here, components are sorted according to unit characteristics according to the groove Unit types and functional features according to the technical Peculiarities (for example, attic expansion, building envelope, planning and Coordination measures, technical systems) and the services for the Differentiate between building users according to their origin and use,
• - The elements belong to one type of building and one to the building de type of damage to be attributed,
• - Membership of the elements related to their use economic exploitation (modernization charges, operating costs allocations, consumption cost allocations),
• - Verbal description of the elements in the form of a text file, which the in the planning of the service element intended service content by the selected service areas (selection / combination of trades) describes,
• - Composition of elements from performance areas, as for the Procurement of suppliers typically used (trades, service performance areas, assembly areas),
• - Composition of elements from performance areas, as for the Determination of expenses (calculation) in the provision of services are typical (men gene dependent, quantity independent); for this the performance areas are off which make up the individual performance elements, standardized Assigned mass variables,
• - Assignment of a value to the individual performance elements that the Extent of the operational dependencies of the service areas of those The service areas from which it is composed are described. This value  specifies whether the performance areas of a performance element are problem-free or can be provided in the usual way by different suppliers (value = low) or whether a performance of the performance element by various whose suppliers are technically problematic (value = high).

Preferably conditions for the selection of received power elements can be entered by the user.

In preferred configurations, power elements can be in accordance with conditions in the data and the user input selected and for a performance description exercise can be put together.

The quantities (referred to as values for mass variables) for the power elements can preferably be determined according to conditions in the data and the user inputs. One, some or all of the following methods are available to the user:

• - Enter values for the mass variables, which the user can use Plans or measurements have been determined,
• - Taking values for the variables from a surveying office were determined using the standardized mass variables,
• - Use of procedures with which the standardized mass variables len from key figure sizes (referred to as basic figures) of the planning object a function f = (base number, building type) can be calculated,

In preferred embodiments, suppliers can enter parameters and / or values for the offer price functions of the service areas of the service elements they offer. These offer price features are preferably described by one, some, or all of the following:

• - assignment of a service element,
• - assignment of a mass variable,
• - Assignment of a quantity-dependent offer price function of the type:
  [Net offer price of the service element = fixed effort + (mass variable.variable effort)],
• - value of fixed expenditure,  
• - value of variable expenditure,
• - Assignment of a service area description text to the description of the service content and scope offered with the price.

For planning purposes, the user can preferably enter the following conditions for supplier selection:

• - The number of suppliers can be determined, and / or
• - The operational characteristics of a Lei used for planning elements should be taken into account when selecting suppliers; For this the cheapest provider prices are determined for the service elements and taking into account the coordination assigned to the performance element evaluate the coordination effort as a function (power element sum / Coordination value, total / order type / coordination factor) determined and reported as a percentage of total expenditure.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the offer prices of suppliers are determined for planning using a method which has one, more or all of the following steps:

• a) Taking into account any data entered by the user Conditions, the combination of providers is compiled from which is the lowest total of the product from the offer price of the one individual suppliers for a service area of one used in planning Power element and a calculated value of the respective masses variable results.
• b) As the objective function in the selection of permissible combinations, the is low ste total value G from the total sum of all power element sums S and of the respective coordination effort K, for which G = S + K = Min !; the selected and combined suppliers are presented as a virtual offer designated consortium.
• c) The totals for each supplier of the cheapest combination become a total net offer of the virtual offer consortium added.
• d) The total net offer of the supplier consortium is determined by business deductions for the customary business provided by the client  Services (electrical energy, water, insurance) and application VAT as the total gross offer of the supplier consortium expelled.
• e) The total gross offer is further customary and payment relevant values for security withholding on guarantee, guarantees of Suppliers (performance guarantees) and guarantees of the client (Construction workers' guarantees) calculated and reported.

For the planning evaluated by offer prices, preferred executions forms the times relevant for the provision of services by the user can be entered. The user can then use the supplier to confirm the Request offer prices.

The customer type user can, in some embodiments of the invention the offer also as a contribution calculation based on the service elements each unit of the building in terms of modernization, operation or ver Show share of operating costs.

The suppliers can preferably be brought together as a consortium of offers will be asked to check the consortium offer electronically become. The suppliers can use this data for processing and modification the defined performance description received by a central computer and send to this. It can be provided that several suppliers, the Lei services as a consortium, electronically create a con can conclude a sales contract. For this purpose, all are customary for one Consortium contract received and required data from a central computer Posted.

In preferred configurations, the user who is planning a Lie has sent the supplier for the offer review, the data of the supplier Received verified offer received from a central computer. All changes and Processing instructions of the suppliers against the defined performance description are given in z. B. displayed in a special graphic manner. The User can finalize this supplier's verified offer  print out a contract (hereinafter referred to as a contract object) or make new changes. For this purpose, he can process and process data Change of the defined service description from a central computer received and sent to it. The contract object can do this as often as you like, alternating between the supplier and the procurer edited and changed by the user. After completing a bear This will be shown to those involved in the contract object.

With such a multi-stage processing and change process a contract object is preferably provided that all versions by Receive data from a central computer on a user screen can be spotted. Thus, all processes of negotiation process on a contract object through data exchange with the central computer covered. As soon as the contracting parties have agreed on the content of the Have agreed to the contract in the described way, the contract printed out and signed off by the contracting parties, provided this step due to the required written form not via electronic signature via the Computer system is processed.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the aforementioned contract can can also be brought about electronically. For this, e.g. B. with a password agreed to each user and stored on a central computer. The Conclusion of the contract will be the operation of the command "Confirm contract" by the User who is then prompted by the system to enter and send the password to the central computer. If the entered password with that which is stored on the central computer, becomes the contract partner indicated that the contracting party has agreed to the contract. The Ver The procedure is binding between the parties concerned about the general Terms and conditions governing the use of the computer system, whose written approval by each user of the general access represents setting to the computer system.  

Preferably, one, several or all of the following tasks within the commercial business of a consortium are carried out via the sending and receiving of data via a central computer:

• - Enter performance reports from suppliers by entering Percentage or absolute values of the masses for the commissioned Performance areas of performance elements,
• - evaluation of the services based on the agreed prices,
• - Add up the rated performance of each supplier across all Lei areas of performance elements to an overall demand of the individual Suppliers,
• - Adding up the total demands of the individual suppliers to one Total demand of the supplier consortium,
• - Calculation of the customer liability from the total claim of the Supplier consortium deducting all payment-relevant contract agreements and drawing up a client invoice,
• - Booking of all supplier demands and customer obligations on an account system,
• - Monitoring of payment transactions and execution of accounts equalization.

In the schematic drawings is an embodiment of the invention shown in more detail. Show it:

Fig. 1 shows the structure of the computer system in one embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 2 shows the structure and description of the power elements ( "Kalalogbe scription"),

A schematic flow diagram of the selection of measures, can be entered by the conditions for the selection of power elements by the user Fig. 3,

Fig. 4 is a schematic flow chart of the planning process, in which Lei stungselemente according to conditions in the data and selects the user input and can be assembled into a service description,

A schematic flow diagram of the mass determination in which the quantities (referred to as values for the mass variables) for the power elements to conditions in the data and the user input may be determined Fig. 5,

Fig. 6 is a schematic flow diagram of the process, enter with the provider prices for the services they power ranges of the power elements can,

Fig. 7 is a schematic flow diagram of the supplier selection, in which the user based on the already started planning conditions can enter for the selection of suppliers,

Fig. 8 is a schematic flow chart of the formation of a virtual consortium, wherein the bid prices are determined by supplier, and

Fig. 9 is a schematic flow diagram of the handling of commercial tasks within the resulting virtual consortium.

The embodiment shown in the figures has all the features that in the introductory part of the description (as optional or essential features) have been named. It is therefore used to avoid repetition on the Reference introduction referenced.

Of particular interest in the present exemplary embodiment is the formation of a virtual consortium. The basic procedure is as follows:

• a) Make an LV offer with the cheapest offer: total cost = min!
• b) Create an optimal consortium offer for different sizes Number of bidders: number of bidders = min!

The prices are displayed as individual values in a list with the following sorting:

• 1. trades
• 2. MG and units
• 3. measures
• 4. Measures trades
• 5. Bidders prices

The bidder values are displayed in a list with the following columns:

• 1. Consecutive numbering of the bidders
• 2. Bidder designation (sorted alphabetically)
• 3. Trade name of the summed up measures of the same name of the bidder (sorted alphabetically).
  Example: Alfons Schmidt GmbH
  • - Cancellation
  • - concrete work
  • - scaffolding
• 4. Gross offer prices
  Example: (2) Alfons Schmidt GmbH - (3) demolition - (4) 8,679.41 EUR
• 5. Bidder's bid amount
  Example: (2) Alfons Schmidt GmbH - (3) - (4) Total (5) EUR 18,567.43

The procedure in the exemplary embodiment described here is as follows: for each The best allowable bidder will be determined. The best bidder is the one with the lowest price for the action trade. The admissibility of a Bidder depends on whether the minimum order value is exceeded and whether that Measures only within one measure together with the others Measures can be offered, or whether the measure independent of the other measures within a measure can be executed. This property is determined by the coordination value shown, which is assigned to each trade union ("high" means that Measures will first be from the bidder of another measures offered within the measure if this condition cannot be met,  then a separate bidder will be admitted; "low" means that measures Gewerk is first offered by the cheapest bidder of an original work).

Several bidders for one trade can appear. The result of the LV Offer is called the best price.

To determine the consortium offer, a query is made from the course offer with number of bidders = MIN! and total offer price = MIN!

This leads to a certain number of query results:
Maximum number of bidders → number of bidders from LV offer
Minimum number of bidders → number of bidders / trades = MIN! and number of bidders / measure = MIN!

The following boundary conditions are set for this:

• - For each trade, the bidder with the best trade offer will be selected wanted: number of bidders / trades = MIN!
• - For each measure, there will be the bidder with the best range of measures wanted: number of bidders / measure = MIN!
• - Every combination → number of bidders / trades = MIN! and bidders number / measure = MIN! with the best total offer price = MIN! searched.

The user can also set additional boundary conditions:

• - Bidders can be excluded
• - Bidders can be preferred
• - The maximum number of bidders is set

Various algorithms from the field of operations research are used, which are known per se.
P _GW : Cost of a trade per unit of measure
M _GW : quantity of a trade
K _GW = P _GW .M _GW : Cost of a trade
P _F : kilometer costs
M _F : number of kilometers
K _F = P _F .M _F : Travel expenses
K _FIX : Fixed order costs
K _B = Σ K _GW + K _F + K _FIX : Cost of a bidder
K _A = Σ K _B → MIN !: Cost of an order
K _A = Σ (Σ K _GW ) + Σ K _F + Σ K _FIX : cost of an order written differently

Fixed and travel costs are independent of the amount of the service provided.

A bidder is allowed, if one is not excluded, he at least one Partial performance (trade) as an independent service and the minimum the bidder's carrying amount is exceeded by this partial performance.

Claims (10)

1. Procedure for the electronic implementation of tendering and procurement processes, with the steps:

• Storing a service description of a customer in a database, the service description containing a plurality of service elements,
• Storage of a respective offer from a plurality of providers in the database, each offer defining an offer price function that is at least dependent on the offer quantity for at least one service element in the service description,
• - Automatic determination of a virtual consortium from the plurality of providers and automatic determination of the services to be provided by the providers in the virtual consortium in such a way that at least one predetermined criterion is optimized.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one to be optimized Criterion to minimize the total amount of the offer for the entire service description and / or a minimization of the number of providers in the virtual Consortium is / are. 3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the offer price function is defined by specifying at least one function parameter. 4. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the offer price function by specifying at least one parameter for the fixed effort and at least one parameter for depending on the quantity offered variable effort is defined. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the power description of the providers via a computer network, in particular the Internet, is transferred to the database.   6. Device for the electronic execution of tendering and procurement processes, which has at least one computer and a database, with:
a first module for storing a service description of a customer in the database, the service description containing a plurality of service elements,
a second module for storing a respective offer from a plurality of suppliers in the database, each offer defining at least one offer price function for at least one service element in the service description, depending on the offer quantity,
a third module for automatically determining a virtual consortium from the plurality of providers and for automatically determining the services to be provided by the providers in the virtual consortium in such a way that at least one predetermined criterion is optimized. 7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the at least one to optimize de criterion a minimization of the offer amount for the entire service description and / or a minimization of the number of providers in the virtual Consortium is / are. 8. The device according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the second module is set up, the offer price function by means of at least one radio to define parameters. 9. The device according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the second module is set up, the offer price function by means of at least one parameter ters for the fixed effort and at least one parameter for the dependent ability to define variable effort from the quantity offered. 10. computer program product, in particular machine-readable data carrier, which has commands to cause at least one computer to one Execute method according to one of claims 1 to 5.