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Session 1621

Comparison of Student Performance to Professional Performance

Charles T. Jahren Iowa State University

Abstract

Mock bid lettings allow construction-engineering students to compare their cost estimates with professional cost estimates under highly realistic conditions. Since the cost estimates are based on the construction process designs, the mock bid letting validates the construction process design developed by the students. This paper describes the mock bid letting that is jointly sponsored by Iowa State University, Iowa Department of Transportation and the Associated General Contractors of Iowa.

Several steps are involved in the mock bid letting process and the students work in groups of three or four. They obtain contract documents from the contracting authority and attend presentations on transportation construction cost estimating. Then each group is assigned to a professional cost estimator who acts as a mentor. The groups visit the job site with their mentors and then develop a prime contractor cost estimate. A substantial portion of the cost estimate is subcontractor and supplier quotes. Such quotes are provided to students directly from actual subcontractors and suppliers as if they were quoting professional contractors. The bids are submitted to the contracting agency at the same time and according to the same rules as the professional bids. If the student bids are responsive, they are read aloud after the professional bids.

The paper briefly describes how mock bid lettings are conducted and provides a rubric for evaluating student work. Student bids and professional bids are compared and reasons for differences are explained. A list of lessons learned and recommendations for future bid lettings are also provided.

I. Introduction

Educators and students desire the opportunity to compare student and professional performance. Such opportunities allow educators to assess student preparation for professional tasks while students glimpse ahead at their future jobs. The best opportunities are ones that require students to demonstrate a wide variety of technical,

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Jahren, C. T. (2000, June), Comparison Of Student Performance With Professional Performance Paper presented at 2000 Annual Conference, St. Louis, Missouri. 10.18260/1-2--8219