Investigating the criteria for prequalification and bid evaluation of subcontractor on building construction project in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Abstract

Construction industry is a complex and challenging sequence and involves various stakeholders. Subcontractors are considered one of the most important stakeholders in the construction industry since they are usually implementing more than ninety percent of the overall construction process. This research aims to define, investigate and rank the most critical criteria used by main contractors for evaluating suitable subcontractor during prequalification and bid evaluation stages on building construction projects and also propose recommendations for improving the selection of subcontractor process. To acquire the research objectives, a field survey was conducted with potential experts working in the construction company. The results of the first set data reported an extensive literature review and a Delphi interview study was carried out to collect the decision criteria that are suitable for the Cambodia’s context. After identifying the important selection criteria by using Delphi technique, the second set of data is developed based on the results of the first set of data and used to assign the weights of each main criterion and sub-criterion with Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) by utilizing 9 scale system. Furthermore, the selection criteria were intensively considered by ninety-four (94) construction experts who were registered in Cambodia Contractors’ Association (CCA). The result illustrated the most critical criteria used during prequalification and bid evaluation procedure. Therefore, this research provided a set of guidelines to help practitioners enhance quality project delivery by using sufficient criteria as an input to construction company in Phnom Penh, Cambodia concerning the strategy of subcontractor selection. IMPLICATION OF THE THESIS. The study suggested extending the scope of future research on the subject to cover a wider area since the study was conducted in a specific geographic location. It is advised to study a large or mega building project. Furthermore, it is recommended to apply a case study with subcontractor and a comparison of the obtained result and criteria may be required in the future research.