Model for Owner Prequalification of Contractors

A decision model for contractor prequalification has been developed to aid construction owners and architects/engineers in the decision process associated with the prequalification of contractors. Construction professionals with extensive experience in contractor prequalification were interviewed to provide the necessary data for the model's development. The model comprises five composite decision factors (CDFs) intended for prequalification. Each of the model's CDFs is further represented by a hierarchical tree of relevant decision factors (DFs). Associated with the DFs are heuristic decision rules facilitating prequalification decision making. The model components were compiled in a work entitled Contractor Prequalification Handbook and disseminated to 25 individuals who perform prequalification, for their review and comments. This work is beneficial in providing a more formal and structured approach to prequalification decision making than seen in the past.