Glossary
Wahlposition and Grundposition (alternative and base item)
A Wahlposition (also Alternativposition) is an alternative to a Grundposition in a German bill of quantities. The bidder gives a price for both, and the client decides later which one is commissioned.
In short
A Wahlposition is an alternative to a Grundposition and one of the item types in a German LV. The bidder gives a price for both. Later the client decides which one is commissioned, so only one of the two is built.
The Grundposition counts toward the bid total. The Wahlposition does not. The bidder gives a unit price only; instead of a total the item shows “Nur Einh.-Preis” (unit price only).
In a GAEB DA XML file, the Grundposition and the Wahlpositionen of one choice share the same ALNGroupNo. The ALNSerNo tells them apart: 0 for the Grundposition, 1 to 9 for the Wahlpositionen.
Example
In an LV, the Grundposition is a multi-layer composite pipe, 16 x 2,0 mm, 120 m. The Wahlposition has the same quantity and unit. Its text reads „Wie Pos. 01.02.0010, jedoch Edelstahlrohr …“. That means the same work with a stainless steel pipe, 15 x 1,0 mm. The bidder prices both, and the client picks one later.
In a GAEB file, the Grundposition carries ALNSerNo 0 and the Wahlposition carries ALNSerNo 1. In GAEB 90 (D83) the item record marks N for a normal item, G for a Grundposition and A for a Wahlposition. Whole sections can be alternatives too: a Grundbereich and an Alternativbereich, marked with ALNBGroupNo and ALNBSerNo.
What to watch for
Check which OZ belongs to which group before you calculate. A group is one choice: the Grundposition and its Wahlpositionen.
A Wahlposition can need a different product and a different supplier. In that case it needs its own Werksanfrage.
The choice can come months after the bid. Keep both prices and the product data until then.
The typical text refers back to the Grundposition by its Ordnungszahl, as in „Wie Pos. 01.02.0010“. Check that reference.
Not to be confused with
Bedarfsposition: may be ordered in addition, not instead of another item.
Nebenangebot: an alternative proposal from the bidder itself, not one set by the client.
<Item RNoPart="0010">
<ALNGroupNo>1</ALNGroupNo><ALNSerNo>0</ALNSerNo>
<Qty>120</Qty><QU>m</QU>
<!-- Grundposition: Mehrschichtverbundrohr 16 x 2,0 mm -->
</Item>
<Item RNoPart="0020">
<ALNGroupNo>1</ALNGroupNo><ALNSerNo>1</ALNSerNo>
<Qty>120</Qty><QU>m</QU>
<!-- Wahlposition: wie Pos. 0010, jedoch Edelstahlrohr 15 x 1,0 mm -->
</Item>In Mercura
When Mercura imports a GAEB file, it reads the item type with it: Grundposition, Bedarfsposition (with or without total) or Wahlposition.
Related terms
Positionsarten (item types in a German bill of quantities)
Positionsarten are the item types of a German bill of quantities, such as normal, base, alternative and provisional items. The type decides whether an item counts toward the bid total.
Bedarfsposition (provisional item)
A Bedarfsposition (also Eventualposition) is an item in a German bill of quantities for work that is only carried out if the client orders it during construction. Without total, the bidder states a unit price only.
Ordnungszahl (OZ, item number in a bill of quantities)
An Ordnungszahl (OZ) is the unique number of an item in a German bill of quantities. It shows where the item sits, for example 01.02.0030 for item 0030 under levels 01 and 02.
Nebenangebot (alternative bid in a German tender)
A Nebenangebot is the bidder's own alternative proposal to a tender, for example with another design, method or product. The tender documents state whether it is allowed, and whether only together with a main offer.
On mercura.ai