Peter, it's like this:

when you do a feasibility study...you are looking for a bunch of costs and lead times for deliveries of stuff

you cannot whip the numbers out of the air. As an example ...if you are looking for diesel generators to run the slurry pipeline and you are looking for costs for these units...you have to call a supplier of diesel generators.

There will be engineers involved working on the design....they will call their "favorite supplier(s)"

These suppliers will have a head's up for the project. They will help the engineer write the specs and be involved from the beginning.

Later during tender time,.......the "other competitors" will be given a chance to provide a price... For them...it will be the first time they have even heard of this project and will be very disadvantaged since they have to scramble to get the price done in time for the tender date or may not be able to price it in time.

Many many times the equipment delivery lead time will very quick...and the supplier(s) involved in the budgeting from the very beginning...will be able to pull a rabbit out of a hat.