Recently, LeChase gave an advanced estimating class at Alfred State College some first-hand experience with the construction bidding process.
Dan Christoffersen (on screen) preps students prior to the mock bid day event.
LeChase Vice President Fred Thompson, who is a member of the college’s Curriculum Advisory Committee, offered the company’s support. He engaged the help of Corning and Binghamton office estimators Chris Morelli and Dan Christoffersen. Using a recent project as an example, they created an assignment to give students insight into how professionals prepare hard-bid submissions.
The assignment culminated with a mock bid-day event. Dan, an Alfred alum, also served as a guest lecturer to prepare students in advance of bid day. On bid day, student teams received drawings and specifications of the project and had to bid on the work. Chris and Dan played the role of owner and suppliers, providing input throughout the day. For realism, they even worked to simulate the pressure of dealing with changes and deadlines.
In a note of thanks, Alfred Civil Engineering Technology Chair Erin Vitale wrote: “From providing plans and specs for our students to create a self-perform estimate, to Dan’s guest lecture, and finally providing real-world quotes for the project and attending the bid-day lab, bid day was a huge success this year.”
