Use AI to create pre-procurement vetting questions that help you choose the right subcontractors before signing.

Before you award a subcontract or bring on a new supplier, you need to vet them beyond just the lowest bid. But coming up with thorough, relevant questions on the spot during a phone call or site meeting is tough. AI can build you a customized list of vetting questions tailored to the specific trade, scope complexity, and red flags you've experienced in the past. This helps you walk into procurement conversations prepared to spot problems early—like vague insurance coverage, unrealistic schedules, or gaps in their experience with your project type. You can feed AI details about the upcoming trade package and your past headaches, and it'll generate 10-15 targeted questions that go beyond the basics. You'll ask about their crew size, backup plan if the foreman quits, how they handle change orders, their material lead times, and whether they've worked on similar projects under similar conditions. This turns a casual phone screening into a structured interview that protects you from costly mistakes down the road. Use this before signing purchase orders, especially with new subs or on trades that burned you before. Print the list, take it to your desk or truck, and check off answers as you talk. It's also great prep for pre-bid meetings where you're sizing up multiple bidders at once and need to compare apples to apples.

February 27, 2026