presentation and weights of new category of contractor selection criteria through A method focused on Quality

Considering the great importance of construction projects in countries and the role of contractors as the most significant executive agents, selecting an appropriate contractor is the most important concern of clients. It s been years that many researchers have been proposing contractor selection criteria (CSC) and each has been introducing them in specific classifications. In this paper, studying previous researches and finding research gaps, actions have been taken regarding a new array of main criteria for selecting appropriate contractor, and all of relevant sub criteria which affect contractor s abilities in the projects where the quality is the most important project success factor (PSF). And then using the A2 method (Analytical hierarchy process and Artificial neural network) the criteria have been evaluated and weighed. The most important ones have been presented as experience, management and financial, respectively.