Potential for long-term sustainability: A visit of bidding objectives and strategies from maintenance contractor’s perspective

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to develop a conceptual framework of bidding model for maintenance contractors. Sustainability is closely linked with the maintenance of facilities or infrastructure. From maintenance contractor’s perspective, one of their key business processes is to bid projects under fierce competition. Their competitiveness is critically affected by their bidding behaviours and bid makeup selections. Design/methodology/approach - This paper aims at identifying critical and important objectives of bidding and items affecting bidding strategies and developing a bidding model for maintenance contractors. Findings - With the questionnaire surveys of 50 maintenance contractors, two critical objectives of bidding have been identified. Likewise, a total of eight critical and 12 important items affecting bidding strategy have also been identified. A bidding model for maintenance contractors is presented. Research limitations/implications - This model formulates the maintenance contractors’ bidding behaviors in a rational manner, and acts as a guideline to new and less experienced maintenance contractors to have a brief understanding about the bidding process and to assist them for establishing their own bidding strategies. With this knowledge, clients or maintenance contractors themselves would become easier to achieve their sustainability goals. Originality/value - Many academic researches on contractor’s bidding strategy emphasized on the general building works, and less attention has been given to maintenance works. Because of the fact that the community is awash with sustainability, and sustainability development is closely related to maintenance work, the business operation of maintenance contractors should be understood. This shall contribute to the achievement of sustainability goals for the society.