3D Repo’s Bid4Free online tendering platform has been highly commended at the 2016 Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Innovation Awards.
The cloud-based software allows specialist subcontractors to preview BIM models for free to design and price their bids, removing a barrier for subcontractors wanting to engage in BIM as they will not need to invest in their own software, allowing a wider range of specialists to bid.
Based on “version control” software developed by computer scientist Dr Jozef Doboš as part of his doctorate at University College London, the project is a collaboration between his company, 3D Repo, and the Association of Interior Specialists & Federation of Plastering and Drywall Contractors (AIS FPDC).
Dr Doboš, 3D Repo’s CEO, said: “It was a tremendous accolade to be highly commended at the IET Innovation Awards. We have developed a novel SaaS solution to the construction B2B tendering problem.
“Our Bid4Free solution is based on the existing multi-award winning open source 3D Repo framework developed at University College London, which runs in web browsers on desktops, tablets and mobiles.
“Importantly it is free to use and saves considerable costs as there is no need for software plug-ins, proprietary licences, firewall exceptions or the latest hardware.”
Dr Doboš continued: “Instead of charging for costly proprietary software licenses, 3D Repo offers a unique open source web-based system that provides a free to use online tendering platform. Tier 1 contractors like Balfour Beatty are able to post their BIM projects securely. The subcontractors can then preview the projects virtually in web browsers and exchange Requests for Information (RFIs) free of charge.”
Read an interview with Bid4Free creator Dr Jozef Doboš
Our Bid4Free solution is based on the existing multi-award winning open source 3D Repo framework developed at University College London, which runs in web browsers on desktops, tablets and mobiles.– Dr Jozef Doboš, 3D Repo
