Sheet Pile Estimating and Proposal Development for Deep Foundation Construction: From case study to framework

Abstract

The preparation of cost proposals for deep foundation projects often lacked standardization and technical consistency, resulting in delays and inaccurate estimates. This project addressed that problem by developing a structured framework for preparing sheet pile proposals, using the Lilly del Caribe flood-mitigation project in Carolina, Puerto Rico, as a case study. The methodology combined geotechnical analysis, design review, vendor coordination, and cost modeling to ensure accuracy and efficiency. The framework integrated the use of Bluebeam Revu for drawing markups, Microsoft Excel for structured cost estimating, and standardized Request for Quotation (RFQ) procedures for supplier evaluation. The total estimated budget, including mobilization, was $4.39 million, with an expected completion time of eighty working days. Implementation of the framework improved coordination, reduced inconsistencies, and produced technically sound, economically feasible, and competitive proposals for deep foundation construction projects.