Tender Department = “Tension” Department

This week has been an unbelievable week for me!

I don’t think I’m the trainee in the company, I think I’m one of them in the company actually. In this week, they assign me in charge of tender or quotation of 3 projects!!

After receiving the tender drawing, I have to analyze all plan drawings and schematic diagram to understand all fire protection system the owner need. Then, I have to contact suppliers and ask for quotation. In the same time, I must make sure that I really know all the system well because when the supplier has any enquiry, I’m the one have to answer them!!

Being the freshman in this field, I really feel excited and it is tense in fact…

I have finished costing for one of the project in Shah Alam. Then, the other project of Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri, Malacca is hold because the consultant only send schematic diagram to us without plan drawings. I can’t do quotation and costing without plan drawings.

When I think I can rest for awhile, suddenly I receive another new project of condo in Setapak after lunch. I have to submit the tender drawing by next Tuesday!! How could I finish that in such short time?

I quickly fax all details of parts that I need quotation to all suppliers. Luckily, some of the suppliers reply very fast. For those have not replied, I have to call to ask for the quotation…all the costing and have to fill up the technical data some more, I haven’t started yet…I think I’ll work overtime before Tuesday.

Looking back on this week, not all sad things happen to me la…got some interesting story too! On Tuesday, the project director, Mr. Jeffery has asked me and Ming (another trainee) to follow him to go site in Kajang. That is a plastic factory already accomplished and starts to operate. Mr. Jeffery has shown us all fire protection system in that company which done by our company. That’s great to see all the real parts with my eyes…Since so many days looking on the drawing and do quotation; I really wish to see the real stuff.

After know how the real parts look like and how to operate, I have know better all the system. It helps me a lot in understanding the drawing and the pipeline.

All after all, I learned a lot. But there is still a long way to go now. Some of the people work at site may think that working in the office is great, but they don’t know the real situation. By using your eyes and brain to do all the costing and quotation, it is as tiring as drilling holes and doing construction work at site. Believe me!