Document 61Vk25pYX0ake5Q5gDkgvz9E

:*r* - Published Monthly by Texas Branch, A. G. C. Star The Construction Magazine of Texas In This Issue RC Welding in High Structures" tells the A benefits to be derived from welding the steel frame of a building) <1 Col. W. A. Starrett, nationally known constructor, pictures the trend of modern skyscrapers in "The American Citv of the Future." Benito learns about separate contracts from the "electrish" man. ^1 Prequali fication as it is applied in Tennessee is explained by the Assistant Highway Engineer of that state. A recent survey reveals how highway appro priations have increased during the past few years. *1 Tyree L. Bell and M. B. Killian give two inter esting discussions of the paper, "Results with Water-Cement Ratio Specifications," which was published last month. A Paving Cuiitrnct in Dallas Cnuntv nt Central Bitulithic Compam PLAINTIFFS EXHIBIT B&R-96 Prequalification in Tennessee By C. W. Butts* HE legislature of Tennessee dur Asst. State Hay. Engnr. of Tennessee Ting a recent session delegated to the Commissioner of Highways Works, R. H. Baker, certain and rights PublicAS EXPLAINED in Sep among which was that of prequalifying tember, this page will be contractors. While perhaps the phrase "prequalification" is not specifically men tioned, nevertheless he has the power un der the law to let contracts to those con tractors whom he considers well qualified devoted to discussing Pre qualification as it is applied in several of the states whose legislatures have both financially and otherwise to perform the work in question. There is now in process of formation a plan and system of records patterned largely after the plan and forms put in adopted it. Prequalification in Wisconsin was discussed last month and subsequent issues will tell about this effect by the Bureau of Contract Infor mation, of which your Mr. Williams is president. law in South Carolina and California. While Tennessee has been very for tunate with contracts, still there is room for improvement. It is felt that the pre qualification plan, while not a cure-all, will, to a large extent, eliminate the ir responsible bidder. In some sections of the country this class of contractor is re ferred to as the shoestring type, while in other places as the gyppo type, the outfits usually consisting of much worn-out equipment and of magnitude too inferior to execute any but the very smallest- con tract, and even then not efficiently. It has been claimed that prequalifica tion will stifle competition; however, the officials of the Tennessee Highway De partment are of the opinion that it will have a tendency to create a more uniform competition between responsible con tractors which will not only benefit the contractors but the state as well. executed expeditiously and in a workman like manner, as any other manner of do ing the work is likely to cause the con tractor to exceed his time limit. This not only causes extra expense to the contrac tor but also to the state, while the incon venience to the public cannot be esti mated. Tennessee, previous to the advent of the prequalification movement, had, like other states, been using the proqualifica tion method, by which the low bidder was awarded the contract, provided he was able to furnish a surety bond, and TEXAS HIGHWAY BRANCH Associated General Contractors The Commissioner of Highways in Tennessee is not in favor of unit prices which are ruinous to contractors, but, on the other hand, desires that unit prices will be submitted which will enable the contractors in Tennessee to present the class of work which will be in keeping with that required by the standard speci fications in that state. Desire to Have Work Done . .. Expeditiously .. The highway officials of Tennessee are always anxious to have the contract work piSC'.nCt Bt , Hk Or ... deBrmd tkir paper at ...... the elemith aeiwni A. C. C. Convention, beld m New Orleans Itct Jmary. ' JaflJaltgnfr md Hfjpoaitkhtp OFFICERS ft DIRECTORS Chat. S. Henning, Jr., Abilene - President R. W. Briggs, Pharr - . Vice-President H. J. Naylor, Ft. Worth - Sec'y-Treas. Herman Brown, Austin ... Director W. P. Bentley,' Dallas ... Director Bart Moore, Jr,, San Antonio Director C H. McOeCan. Wichita Falls Director Fred Calender, Toarkana r - - Director Tyree L. Bell, Corsicana Director lE^JEzaeachre Secretary mv nrTHPFJt. this seemed an easy matter,^ easy for the good of all conce industry. During the past year tfi sioner has been more careful contracts, sometimes acthr rights by rejecting the low^ on occasions rejecting all bi this action has been very When a low bidder was reje, ally caused some embar alone to the rejected bidde commissioner. When the pr method has been installed tractor who is low bidder, the embarrassment of bein considered responsible. Revised Questionnaire Complete D Tennessee has within weeks had a revised questiothis being similar in most questionnaire previously int exception of additional qu~ the questions asked in th naire was "Have you in ect on which you are bid _ der the new plan the co" confronted with this qu in detail the manner ininspected each project.o bidding." The Department whether the prospectrv spected the project fro tomobile, from thejia horse, or by any othe on foot with plans .mj. ment much prefers,, inspected by the con entire length with It is the intentio the submission m ary l and July I posal will ca re ference to plan, ing submitted fo eral financials dude amqu - Perha . to be wa . of `over .