Devin Bull on the Bidding Process

How often do contracts get awarded to the lowest bidder? And how often does
that lowest bid run into cost overruns, unforeseen expenses, etc. which
produce a final price tag more in line with the higher quality, more honest
and professional companies you were previously considering? -- the
companies that it would have been way more painless to have dealt with
throughout the contract fulfillment period.

Some suppliers enter the bidding process with a "bait and switch" mentality.
Their intention was to undercut their rivals, get them out of the picture
and then, once they have your full attention, to stick those cost increases
to you in every way possible. And you have to experience the pain of
dealing with their "lowball" mentality as they deliver their (all too often
sub-standard) work.

It's happening out there every day.