Preliminary bidding model using analytic hierarchy process and genetic algorithms

A bidding process is one of the main activities of construction project management. For general contractors, the chance of awarding projects in a bidding process directly relies on the success of selecting the best subcontractor. Therefore, an effective and accurate method of choosing subcontractors affect directly on the profit earned by the general contractors. Traditionally, a general contractor makes selection decision based on its managers' subjective opinion regarding subcontractors' price quotations. This approach in selecting subcontractors may result in low efficiency and quality of work. This thesis presents an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method considering the weight of each factor when a subcontractor is valued. The Genetic Algorithm method is on the basis of AHP for dealing with the subcontractor selection to establish a subcontractor value rating system. A real project example is explained and evaluated to demonstrate the feasibility of the method. This thesis is of value to general contractor with a regard to providing a tool for bidding process in the early stage of construction projects.