Unbalanced bidding on contracts with variation trends in client-provided quantities

Abstract

This paper examines unbalanced contract bidding, a strategy for the allocation of rates to unit quantities for the benefit of the bidder. A mathematical model is proposed which attempts to objectively exploit variation trends in client-provided quantities. It is shown that the model can be solved by two methods - linear programming and the maximum–minimum method. The maximum–minimum method is preferred for most real-world situations.

Keywords:

• bidding strategies
• unbalanced bidding
• cash flow
• operations research