Internet Bidding:Internet Bidding:Leveling the Playing FieldLeveling the Playing Field

TUG ConferenceTUG Conference

St. Louis, MOSt. Louis, MOOctober 8, 2007 October 8, 2007

Joe Phelan, Director, Info Tech, Inc.

TopicsTopics

• Current status within the DOTs • Work flow solutions• Valuable features to consider

Electronic Bidding ToolsElectronic Bidding Tools

The program used to manage bid data

The web service where contractors find and submit bid data

Expedite Licensees (42 Agencies)Expedite Licensees (42 Agencies)

Bid Express UsageBid Express Usage

In production (29)Implementation Approved (4)Evaluating (6)

Design

Pre-ConstructionSystem (PES)

Letting & AwardSystem (LAS)

ExpediteBid

Express

Digital InterPlot(or other system)Digital Plans (pdf)

SuretyAssociations& Bid Bond

Agencies

Contracto rs,Ve ndors, &Estimation

Consu ltan ts

Design and Bidding Data FlowDesign and Bidding Data Flow

Plan Sheets

(drawings)

Digital Plans

Sample Agency ResultsSample Agency Results

• Over $53 billion in contracts handled by Bid Express in 2006

• One Full Year of Internet Bidding in Georgia– 90% of all bids were submitted via

the Internet – 995 bids worth over $2.25 billion

successfully submitted (96% of total dollar amount)

Sample Agency ResultsSample Agency Results

• One Full Year of Internet Bidding in Iowa– 90% of bid items submitted via the Internet– 793 bids for a total of $280 million successfully

submitted using Expedite and Bid Express– Over 350 Iowa contractors subscribe to Bid

Express– Save 1.5 processing days per bid letting using Bid

Express

• One Full Year of Internet Bidding in Wisconsin– 92% of all bids received over the Internet– Save 48 man-hours per bid letting using

Expedite/BidX

Advantages for the ContractorAdvantages for the Contractor

• Access to bidding resources from home office• Time savings and error checking during bid

preparation• Data import and export for existing systems• Streamlining of entire bidding process• Access to customer support help desk• Savings in time and expenses by eliminating

requirement to travel to the letting location

Contractor Equipment NeedsContractor Equipment Needs

• A computer with an Internet connection via a network or a modem

• Internet Service Provider (ISP)• Web browser (either Internet Explorer or

Firefox)• Trns•port Expedite Bid software (free from

DOT)

Valuable Bid Express Features Valuable Bid Express Features

• Small Business Network

Small Business Network (SBN)Small Business Network (SBN)• Agencies activate this area of their Bid Express

web site• Gives Subcontractors a place to market their

services• Gives Primes a place to locate Subs and DBEs

and to advertise projects• Several states using FHWA Supportive Services

funds to provide DBEs with Bid Express subscriptions

• Provides agency with “good faith” audit trail

Example

SBN Options

Select items to quote

DBE selects items to quote using check boxes

Create Sub Quote

Bid Tab Analysis ServiceBid Tab Analysis Service

• What is it?– Fast access to an agency’s historical bid prices– Organized by item number, key word, contract ID

• Agencies can use the service at no charge• Useful for agency’s estimation staff as a quick

lookup of current bid history data by proposal, item, quantity or even specific contractors

• Easy to use and constantly updated

Web Link to Bid ExpressWeb Link to Bid Express for Bid Tab Analysis for Bid Tab Analysis

Example Search

Search Results

Payment Docs

FHWA Guidelines for FundingFHWA Guidelines for Funding

• Starting in February 2006, there was a new FHWA requirement that all services provided with Support Services Funding must be measurable

• FHWA Headquarters has agreed that the Bid Express service offers a measurable service to small businesses and has approved it for Support Services funding

Measurable Services

Benefits of the Small Business NetworkBenefits of the Small Business Network

• Subs and DBEs find opportunities quick and easy by item number and description

• Can create and submit sub quotes • Check Bid Tabs Analysis for latest pricing• Access to Plan Holder contact information• Primes can solicit sub and DBE quotes• Single site for Primes, Subs and DBEs to

communicate both their needs and services• Provides agency with electronic audit trail

for verifying primes “good faith” effort

SummarySummary

• Internet bidding has come of age and is changing the way agencies do business

• It is safe and reliable, and has been readily embraced by the contracting community

• It is serving to level the playing field by providing equal access to all contractors

• The Small Business Network has created a valuable communications link between Primes, Subs and DBEs to assist agencies in effectively meeting their EEO goals

For More InformationFor More Information

• Joe Phelan, Director, Info Tech, Inc.

• Phone: (352) 381-4400

• E-mail: Joe.Phelan@InfoTechFL.com