Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1302781
40 / November 2020 powderbulk.com » Lastly, you need to be comfortable with the per- son and his or her company. Communication between the customer and the contractor is vital to a successful project conclusion. Does this person communicate well? Does he or she listen? The person doesn't need to be eloquent, just a good fit with you and your company. Alternative course of action As suggested here, you can proceed internally with an SOW document, budgetary estimates, drawings, and related tasks. You also can ask a contractor to give you an EPC, or "engineer, procure, and construct" bid, also called a "turnkey" bid, in which the contractor handles all these tasks. Realize that contractors typically don't have a lot of time or resources to do each step as listed here to produce a bid that they may or may not win — unless you want to pay them to perform those services. Without these details, don't be surprised if estimates are high as contractors have to cover their costs, includ- ing the time required to do the bid and site visits. Another option is to hire a company or person to compile the SOW and budgetary documents. Unless the job is large and complex, this may cost less than you think. You'll also own the information and be able to go to your contractor of choice with it. Whatever route you take, remember that the degree of success a project will have will be higher when the written SOW, budgetary estimate, and drawings you present have enough detail, clarity, and depth. For further reading Find more information on this topic in articles listed under "System or equipment design, fabrication" in Powder and Bulk Engineering's article index in the December 2019 issue or the article archive on PBE's web- site, www.powderbulk.com. Jerry Ferguson (jerryf@ind-link.com, 817-559-9587) is president of Cross Industry Link, a consulting com- pany that helps bulk solids plants with new processing projects. Over his 40 years in the bulk solids industry, he has worked as an equipment sales manager, a man- ufacturer's representative, and a project manager for an engineering, procurement, and construction company. Cross Industry Link Granbury, TX 817-559-9587 www.ind-link.com Approximately 5 to 10 percent of the project total is usually sufficient. » A contingency line item also should be included. You're guaranteed to overlook something — about 4 to 10 percent is common. Don't cut yourself short here. » Also consider whether or not you'll need engi- neering work or drawings. If the project involves very complex work, you should probably include this in the budget. If you can't take the time to determine these bud- getary numbers, finding someone who's capable of helping compile them may be advisable. Otherwise, your budgetary estimate could be worse than useless. Choosing a contractor With your SOW prepared, your budgetary estimate ready, and your drawings or plans in hand, you need to choose a contractor. If you already have one whom you like and trust, you're in good shape. If you don't have a contractor, here are some questions to consider for a potential candidate: » Does the contractor know your business and product(s)? » Has this person previously worked with compa- nies like yours? At a minimum, he or she should have experience in dry bulk solids conveying and handling. » Is the person familiar with any special require- ments you may have? » Does this person have a good safety record? » Is this person properly insured? » Will this individual be available — along with an adequate number of other personnel — during the time in which you need the project completed? » If bonding is required, is this person able to get the proper bond? Budgetary estimates for this project involved calculating all costs necessary to install three new 85-foot-long pneumatic conveying lines from the ground to the top of a concrete silo.