CIC Cascade

12 February 2004

Contents

1. Guidance on how to deal with online bidding issued by CIC
2. CIC Liability Briefing, Professional indemnity insurance for construction consultants
3. CIC Liability Briefing, Managing liability through financial caps
4. RIBA and BIAT sign agreement of Collaboration
5. CIOB awards Scholarship to the best Guy
6. Events

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1. Guidance on how to deal with online bidding issued by CIC

CIC has issued a briefing note on online bidding, describing the process, listing advantages and disadvantages and giving recommendations about the use of this procurement process. This has been drafted and agreed by the CIC Online Bidding Response Group, with participation and endorsement from the Specialist Engineering Contractor's Group.

CIC strongly believes that the process of online bidding is contrary to the Latham and Egan principles and goes against the recommendations of the Rethinking Construction and Accelerating Change Reports. However, the briefing note seeks to give guidance to firms regarding this process.

A key recommendation in the briefing note is that if online bidding is to be used, it should be used only for the supply of commodities, and not building design and engineering services or construction services.

The online bidding briefing note has been drafted and agreed by the CIC Online Bidding Response Group, with participation and endorsement from the Specialist Engineering Contractors' Group.

Online Bidding , A CIC Briefing Note can be downloaded free of charge here

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2. CIC Liability Briefing, Professional indemnity insurance for construction consultants
Nowadays construction consultants will invariably carry professional indemnity insurance (PII). This note explains some of the characteristics of such insurance and the issues which may arise. Read the complete Liability Briefing

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3. CIC Liability Briefing, Managing liability through financial caps
The insurance market is hardening and consultants are faced with spiralling premiums and excesses. More than ever consultants are finding that they cannot rely on their PI insurance; they must actively manage liability through other means. This note examines the process of managing liability through financial caps. Read the complete Liability Briefing

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4. RIBA and BIAT sign agreement of Collaboration
RIBA and BIAT have recently signed an historic agreement to provide a framework for collaboration between the two bodies. This will facilitate closer co-ordination on matters of mutual interest including provision of services, CPD, professional education and industry liaison and representation.

The agreement recognises the distinct nature and standing of the respective professions of architecture and architectural technology, and the status of qualifications leading to full membership of BIAT and the RIBA.

Speaking about the agreement, George Ferguson, RIBA President said: "The reality is that architects and architectural technologists are working shoulder to shoulder, screen by screen, and there has been an artificial separation between our two interdependent disciplines. We both have much to learn from each other and this agreement represents an important move in the right direction. I look forward to us coming even closer together as Institutes and as fellow professionals."

Paul Burton, President of the BIAT added: "I am delighted that the discussion initiated during my predecessor's term as President has come to fruition. We welcome this declaration as confirmation of the way our members and architects operate in practice. We look forward to building on this relationship as a demonstration of a respect of each other's qualifications, professions and discipline. This will be beneficial for all construction professional as well as consumers, clients and society as a whole."

For further information on RIBA:
Melanie Mayfield, Melanie.mayfield@inst.riba.org tel 020 7278 2206

For further information on BIAT:
Hugh Morrison, hugh@biat.org.uk tel 020 7278 2206

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5. CIOB awards Scholarship to the best Guy
CIOB awarded this years Sir Ian Dixon Scholarship to Guy Cotton of Galliford Try for his year-long construction management research study. The CIOB, in conjunction with the Worshipful Company of Constructors, has run the scholarship for six years and was recently renamed in memory of Sir Ian Dixon.

The award concluded with a report and presentation of "Shaping and Building our Future Construction Managers" to an invited audience of construction industry representatives.

Corrina King, CIOB Head of Practice, said "Every year the quality of work that we receive astounds us. Guy's research and report was both innovation and beneficial to the industry, with a real human aspect; construction is all about the people involved within it."

The benefits of the Sir Ian Dixon Scholarship relates not only to the funding provided by the scholarship, but also the support and closer integration of the scholar with its employer and vice versa. The research is often related closely to the specific needs of the employer and so it can provide a positive platform to take on board any further development within the organisation. It also provides a tangible benefit to the scholar in a piece of work that they can be proud of.

6. Events
Visit CIC's events page for updated events news.

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