Summary of Preconstruction changes
Last updated: 2024-07-23
Refer to this page to see a list of the changes made to the Preconstruction documentation used to create the engineer's estimate and proposal for PS&E.
Change / Update |
Description |
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Spec Book 25 |
The current Spec Book ‘03” version was created in 2003 when we revised the item numbering format. Every year when the new Standard Specification is released, Spec Book ‘03’ was updated with the bid item changes for the std spec and STSP updates. With the pending implementation of AWP Materials, it was determined that now would be a good time to create a new Spec Book ‘25’ to align with the publication of the 2025 std spec. This will allow us to associate all of the material testing requirements to all of the standard bid items and not impact the ‘03’ version.
Anyone with an 2024 August 1st or later PS&E submittal must update the Spec Book version on the General Tab of the Project Summary screen to ‘25’. To facilitate this, we updated most of the projects directly in the database. Check your project to see that it has been updated. For those using Estimator, a new ENG2025.cat file was recently posted. For Spec Book related issues importing an Estimator XML file into AWP Preconstruction, go to Preconstruction FAQs | How to handle Spec Book errors importing an Estimator file into AWP |
Estimator catalog update |
Effective July 10, 2024, the catalog file called ‘ENG2025.cat’ can only be used in conjunction with the Estimator application. It is not intended for use by contractors. The ENG2025 catalog contains 3 years of item bid history information from contracts let May 2021 thru May 2024. This catalog contains changes included in the 2025 Standard Specifications and STSP updates effective with the November 2024 letting. In addition, this year, the item Spec Book version has been updated from ‘03’ to ‘25’ to also match the 2025 Standard Specification. The next anticipated catalog update will be in September 2024. |
Change / Update |
Description |
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Estimator catalog update |
The catalog file called ‘ENG2024.cat’ can only be used in conjunction with the Estimator application. It is not intended for use by contractors. The ENG2024 catalog contains 3 years of item bid history information from contracts let April 2021 thru April 2024. This catalog contains changes included in the 2024 Standard Specifications and STSP updates effective with the November 2023 letting. Estimator item catalog (Updated April 25, 2024). The next anticipated catalog update will be in September 2024. |
Find Bid Data | Updated the Find Bid Data documentation to reflect the new worksheet format and enhanced filtering and sorting features. |
Missing project design firms |
This process was formerly completed in the Civil Rights Compliance System (CRCS). When searching for a project engineer's design firm and they do not appear in the list, have the vendor log into the WisDOT Vendor Registration System (VRS) using their WAMS ID. They need to complete the following steps:
Contact an AASHTOWare Project System Administrator at the AWP Support mailbox for assistance. |
Change / Update |
Description |
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Estimator catalog update |
Effective March 15, 2024, the catalog file called ‘ENG2024.cat’ can only be used in conjunction with the Estimator application. It is not intended for use by contractors. The ENG2024 catalog contains 3 years of item bid history information from contracts let January 2021 thru January 2024. This catalog contains changes included in the 2024 Standard Specifications and STSP updates effective with the November 2023 letting. The next anticipated catalog update will be in May 2024. |
Change / Update |
Description |
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Category Data Fields Table update |
Updated the Category EC Percent field description to clarify the entry of this field at the project and category level.
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Project Funding Assignment | Enhanced the Fund Package detail drop down by reorganizing the fields and adding the limit field. |
Change / Update |
Description |
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Project Item Worksheet | Update the Project Item Worksheet web page to clarify processes and provide updated images. |
Road segment name - Enter the Category ID and Category Description this road segment is part of in camel case separated with a hyphen. Structure segment name - Enter the Category ID AND Category Description that this structure or culvert is part of in camel case separated with a hyphen. |
Change / Update |
Description |
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Estimator Catalog, Licensing, Installation and Configuration | Installation and Configuration |WisDOT staff | Updated the Estimator installation instructions for WisDOT staff by providing shortcuts to the region file server locations of Estimator. |
Change / Update |
Description |
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System wide change |
Since the project title and limit fields are both 35 characters in FIIPS, the AWP System Administrators set the Project Description field to 72 characters. This would equate to 70 characters plus 1 character for the semi colon plus a space which equals 72 characters. This change impacts the following fields across Preconstruction and Contruction:
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Change / Update |
Description |
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Estimator Catalog, Licensing, Installation and Configuration | Installation and Configuration |WisDOT staff | Updated the Estimator installation instructions for WisDOT staff by providing shortcuts to the region file server locations of Estimator. |
Proposal Sections and Items | Updated the instructions for regenerating the proposal section after adding items to one or more projects |
Change / Update |
Description |
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Project and Category Level EC Percent | The EC Percent is a system requirement at the project level and optional at the category level. Some regions have chosen to not enter this field in AASHTOWare Project to avoid discrepancies with FIIPS. In these instances, zero is a valid value. |
Supported Operating Systems and Web Browsers | Internet Explorer is no longer supported nor does it work with AASHTOWare Project. |
Change / Update |
Description |
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Proposal Time |
Updated the Proposal Time tables for each time type. The Time Description field for each time type has required minimum data entry requirements:
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Change / Update |
Description |
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Estimator Catalog Update | Effective May 31, 2022, the Estimator catalog file, ENG2023.cat, has been posted. The ENG2023 catalog contains 3 years of item bid history information from contracts let March 2019 thru March 2021. This catalog contains changes included in the 2023 Standard Specifications and STSP updates effective with the November 2022 letting.
The next anticipated catalog update will be in September 2022. |
Pre-established Price Items | Removed 715-0415 - Incentive Strength Concrete Pavement from the Pre-established Price Items table to correlate with a Fall 2021 Estimator Catalog update. |
Change / Update |
Description |
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Create Estimate | Under the Entering Project Estimate Header Information section in the Estimate Project Field Information table, updated the seasons to match current letting trends. |
Change / Update |
Description |
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Proposal Time |
For Completion Date sites, designers are required to enter the Completion Date as a date and time field. Completion Date contracts and Interim Completion Dates should be based on 24 hour periods (i.e. a full calendar day) ending at 11:59 PM to conform with standard specifications. Completion times deviating from 11:59 PM should only be used in special circumstances and should be reviewed with the Proposal Management Section (contact Rielly O’Donnell) prior to final PS&E submittal. Regardless of the time selected, a system trigger will automatically default the time to 11:59 PM upon initial save. This trigger was added to this field because in a majority of situations work should be completed by 11:59 PM to allow for a full day of work on construction. Per the specifications, designers can edit the time to a different value after the initial save. See Proposal Time | Completion Date Site for more details. |
Adding or Editing Road Segments | Updated the table and the associated Road Segments component image to clarify field entry for Highway Number, Description, Type and Route on road segments for each category. |
Change / Update |
Description |
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Estimator Catalog Updates | Added documentation to update an existing project to link to the new Estimator catalog. |
Change / Update |
Description |
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Categories | Updated adding, editing, copying and delete category instructions. |
Adding or Editing Points | Clarified and updated the process. |
Adding or Editing Regions | Updated the instructions and the RefDistrict reference table removing the local program regions. |
Changing the Project Summary | Updated the image on this web page. |
Estimator catalog update |
Consultants: The catalog file, ENG2022.cat, has been posted on the Estimator Catalog, Licensing, Installation and Configuration page for consultants to download. WisDOT staff: Region offices should link to the Estimator catalog file stored on the central office file server, \\mad00fph\n4public\AASHTOWareProject\Estimator\Catalog |
Road Segments |
Updated the instructions to clarify that designers are required to enter the Highway Number and Route fields in all upper case when entering their primary road segment record plus all road segments for each category on their project. |
Change / Update |
Description |
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Pre-established price list updates |
Added: 715.0715 Incentive Flexural Strength Concrete Pavement $1.00 Removed: 715.0710 Optimized Aggregate Gradation Incentive |
Change / Update |
Description |
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Estimator catalog update |
Consultants: The catalog file, ENG2022.cat, has been posted on the Estimator Catalog, Licensing, Installation and Configuration page for consultants to download. WisDOT staff: Region offices should link to the Estimator catalog file stored on the central office file server, \\mad00fph\n4public\AASHTOWareProject\Estimator\Catalog |
Introduction to an Estimate under General Rules for Using Items Multiple Times |
Added Rule #4 - Beginning with the November 2022 bid letting, always use Each instead of Lump Sum as the unit of measurement for Special Provision items. Use of Lump Sum items in the Special Provisions should be approved by the Bureau of Project Development. |
Change / Update |
Description |
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Type of Funding |
Updated the definition for Type of Funding on the Creating a Proposal and Proposal Date Fields Table to reflect “Select a funding type from the drop-down list that represents the highest percentage funding source. If the proposal contains a project with a Federal Project Number, select "FED" for the funding type.” |
Updated sample project name | Updated our sample project name to 1234-15-71 to reflect a construction project ID. Also updated all references when importing, creating a project, or updating a project to reflect entering the Construction Project ID. |
Change / Update |
Description |
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Proposal Time |
The Proposal Time web page has been updated to match changes that have taken place since the implementation of AWP Construction. One of the new requirements is the entry of all interim sites, whenever possible. Review the changes on Proposal Time web page prior to submitting your proposal for PS&E. |
Change / Update |
Description |
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Fund Package Summary | Provided additional guidance when adding new fund sources to provide a more detailed project fund description that includes the name of the entity like City of Madison, Town of Burke or County of Dane. |
Estimator catalog update |
Consultants: The catalog file, ENG2021.cat, has been posted on the Estimator Catalog, Licensing, Installation and Configuration page for consultants to download. WisDOT staff: Region offices should link to the Estimator catalog file stored on the central office file server, \\mad00fph\n4public\AASHTOWareProject\Estimator\Catalog |
Change / Update |
Description |
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Project Overview component changes |
Updated the Project Overview component to reflect a new field, Proposal ID (Contract ID). This field was added to help designers when they create their proposals. This field was also added to help construction field and support staff look up a contract ID for associated projects. These changes are reflected on the Creating a Proposal and Copying Projects web pages. |
Change / Update |
Description |
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Updated the documentation to reflect that Windows 10 is the only supported operating system and Google Chrome is the only supported browser at this time. |
Change / Update |
Description |
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Added Code Table references on both components listed. |
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Clarified the entry of the Design Region Office and Construction Region office on both components listed |
Change / Update |
Description |
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Estimator catalog update |
Consultants: The catalog file, ENG2021.cat, has been posted on the Estimator Catalog, Licensing, Installation and Configuration page for consultants to download. WisDOT staff: Region offices should link to the Estimator catalog file stored on the central office file server, \\mad00fph\n4public\AASHTOWareProject\Estimator\Catalog |
ProposalTime.htm |
Added a new requirement when create Completion Date sites with interim sites: If possible, do not use Interim Calendar Day sites with a Completion Date Main Site 00. Attempting to do this causes issues during the construction administration process. |
Change / Update |
Description |
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Removed URL for iTouchMap and replaced with getLatLong.net on all 4 pages. |
Change / Update |
Description |
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Fund Package Summary | Clarified when entering Priority 1 funding with a limit that Priority 2 funding is REQUIRED to cover the remaining amount over the limit. |
Adding and Editing Points |
Clarified Beginpoint, Midpoint, and Endpoint record data entry:
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Change / Update |
Description |
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Federal Work Category | Updated documentation on the Federal Work Category Table, Category Data Fields Table and the Categories page to reflect what value to enter for the Federal Work Category. The Federal Work Category code is equivalent to the Federal Improvement Type code in FIIPS. The Federal Improvement Type code is listed for each category on the FIIPS - Category Funding Summary screen. |
Preconstruction FAQs | Additional step #11 added to the Proposal line numbers missing leading zeros after deleting an item from a project FAQ to Assign Item to Sections or to Auto Generate Sections. |
Roadtype Code Table updates |
Updated the table to match the values in FIIPS.
See the Project Summary Data Fields table for a list of current values |
Fund Package Description | Upon save, a database trigger adds the project ID as a prefix to the Fund Package Description field. This change was incorporated into the system so that project funding information is available to construction field staff when they begin administering contracts in the AWP Construction system later this year. Information about this change appears on the Fund Package Overview and the Funding: Assign to Items components. |
Change / Update |
Description |
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Project Item Worksheet | Moved <New> and <Select Items...> buttons to the top of the Project Item Worksheet for ease of use. |
Proposal Sections and Items component | Removed "Generate Unique Project Line Numbers" as an action under the Designer and Plan Reviewer roles. |
Change / Update |
Description |
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Estimator estimate file is read-only | The resolution for this issue has been posted in the FAQs for Preconstruction. |
New guidance for the Estimator File Import process | Refer to the new guidance for the Estimator File Import process located on the Import Estimate Into AWP page. Problems have been encountered related to project item renumbering which affected supplemental descriptions on one or more items. |
Change / Update |
Description |
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Estimator catalog update |
Consultants: The catalog file, ENG2020.cat, has been posted on the Estimator Catalog, Licensing, Installation and Configuration page for consultants to download. WisDOT staff: Region offices should link to the Estimator catalog file stored on the central office file server, \\mad00fph\n4public\AASHTOWareProject\Estimator\Catalog |
Adding information and link to "Proposal line numbers missing leading zeros after deleting an item from a project" FAQ on multiple components. | To help designers resolve the issue with missing leading zeros on proposal line numbers, we added links to this FAQ for Preconstruction on the following pages where this error is most likely to be seen: Generating the Proposal Price Schedule Report component and the Generating the Estimate of Quantities Report component. |
Removed and updated references to AASHTOWare Project Proposal and Estimates System | Updated several pages including Fund Package Overview component, Proposal Data Fields table, Adding or Editing Structure Segments component, Proposal Sections and Items component, Online Help component, and Preconstruction component. |
Preconstruction FAQ Update for AWP 4.2 |
The FAQ "Proposal line number issue when deleting an item from the project item list or item worksheet" has been replaced with "Proposal line numbers missing leading zeros after deleting an item from a project". The new FAQ has the steps to follow to resolve this issue in AWP 4.2. |
Federal Work Type (FEDWTYPE) code table | Added code value 59 – Bridge Resurfacing. This new value is needed for several projects starting with the November 1, 2019 PS&E. |
Change / Update |
Description |
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Review all projects and proposals, prior to submitting for upcoming PS&Es, for field, code table and component changes listed under the September 2019 updates. Failing to make the necessary updates could cause delays during the plan review process. | |
Proposal Time |
Updated the Proposal Time component and made the Start Time a text field that cannot be edited. The construction start date is entered during construction administration. |
Project Summary |
Changed the following fields from drop-down lists to autocomplete fields. Autocomplete fields only allow the entry of specific data:
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Proposal Summary |
Changed the label for Vendor Access to Design Firm (WisDOT or Consultant). |
Import File process updates to remove actions that WisDOT does not support for select roles. |
Removed the following actions from the Designer, Plan Reviewer and BidLetMgmt roles: CheckIn Project, Checkin Proposal, Estimation Reference Data, Import Contract Progress Schedule Projection using XML file, Import Item Mapping csv file |
Removed actions that WisDOT does not support from select roles. | Removed Checkin / Checkout Project, Checkin / Checkout Proposal, Lock / Unlock Project, Lock / Unlock Proposal from the Designer, Plan Reviewer and BidLetMgmt roles |
STAFF code table updates | Updated the Staff code table used to populate the Design Region Office field at the project level. All local program offices have been obsoleted and the region office values have been updated for consistency to match the REGOFF code table. |
REGOFF code table updates | All local program offices have been obsoleted and the region office values have been updated for consistency to match the STAFF code table. |
ROADTYPE code table updates |
Updated the table to match the values in FIIPS.
See the Project Summary Data Fields table for a list of current values. |
CONTTYP |
Updated this table to provide more consistency between the PROJTYP (Project Type) and CONTTYP (Contract Type) tables:
See the Proposal Summary Data Fields table for a list of the current values. |
PROJTYP |
Updated this table to provide more consistency between the PROJTYP (Project Type) and CONTTYP (Contract Type) tables:
See the Project Summary Data Fields table for a list of current values. |
Project Summary Data Fields Table |
Several updates to reflect the label and code table changes noted above. |
Proposal Summary Data Fields Table | Several updates to reflect the label and code table changes noted above. |
Change / Update |
Description |
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Estimator catalog update |
Consultants: The catalog file, ENG2020.cat, has been posted on the Estimator Catalog, Licensing, Installation and Configuration page for consultants to download. WisDOT staff: Region offices should link to the Estimator catalog file stored on the central office file server, \\mad00fph\n4public\AASHTOWareProject\Estimator\Catalog |
Proposal line number issue when deleting an item. |
Information about this issue noted on the Items and item Worksheet pages. |
Change / Update |
Description |
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New Preconstruction FAQs |
Cannot find a project in Preconstruction Proposal line number issue when deleting an item from the project item list or item worksheet |
Change / Update |
Description |
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InfoTech hosted production environment URL | Updated the URL to point to the new InfoTech hosted production environment |
Change / Update |
Description |
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Estimator: Create Estimate | Removed reference to Pay Plan items under Adding Bid Items | Supplemental Description. |
Introduction to an Estimate | Removed reference to Pay Plan items under Definitions | Bid Item. |
Item Data Fields Table | Removed reference to Pay Plan items under the Project Item Supp Description field. |
Change / Update |
Description |
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Introduction to an Estimate: Proratable Items table | Proratable bid items table updated to reflect current standard spec items. |
Understanding Roles | Corrected the video URL to link to the Understanding Roles video. |
Change / Update |
Description |
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Introduction of the new AASHTOWare Project Knowledge Base (AWPKB) | All the WisDOT AASHTOWare Project Preconstruction documentation has been moved from the WisDOT Internet site to the new AASHTOWare Project Knowledge Base (AWPKB). The documentation describes how to create an engineer's estimate and a proposal for PS&E submittal. The AWPKB also provides training videos and responses to frequently asked questions. In the future, FieldManager construction administration and Pantry documents will be moved to AWPKB. |
Category Data Fields Table |
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Adding or Editing Road Segments |
Updated the instructions for the Primary Road Segment and other road segments to clarify the correct data entry format and emphasize the following points:
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Adding or Editing Structure Segments |
Updated the instructions for structure segments to clarify the correct data entry format and emphasize the following points:
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Supported Operating Systems | There is a required setting for the Internet Explorer 11 browser history that staff should confirm is correct. |
Funding changes |
Updated processes and instructions for:
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Info: These updates refer to our previous documentation which was posted on the WisDOT Internet site.
Change / Update |
Description |
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This new chapter provides designers with a list of key areas, and a checklist for each area, to be used to review their engineer’s estimate prior to submitting their proposal for PS&E. The checklists were designed to help the designer review all the required fields within AWP Preconstruction to ensure they are entered correctly for reporting purposes during the award and letting process. This ensures that the data is passed correctly to the department’s PeopleSoft financial system and to the AASHTOWare Project Construction Administration System (CAS) at contract initialization. | |
Creating a Proposal Estimate for PS&E |
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Adding or Editing Structure Segments | Changed the Bridge ID field to Structure ID and Bridge Type to Structure Type on the Project Summary Structure Segments component. This was done to clarify that these fields can be used for all structure types. The associated tool tips and documentation will be updated in the future. |
Info: These updates refer to our previous documentation which was posted on the WisDOT Internet site.
Change / Update |
Description |
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General |
To accommodate larger projects and proposals, WisDOT changed the proposal and project line number increment from 10 to 2 as the default for all projects and proposals. |
Changing the Project Summary |
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Adding or Editing Points |
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Project Summary Data Fields Table; Category Data Fields Table; Item Data Fields Table |
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Proposal Data Fields Table |
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Info: These updates refer to our previous documentation which was posted on the WisDOT Internet site.
Change / Update |
Description |
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AASHTOWare Basics |
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Introduction to an Estimate |
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Creating an Estimate in Estimator | Added notes on page 6 and 12 that the project item supplemental description can be no greater than 80 characters. |
Import Project from Estimator | New screen shot for the Import process. Clarified which actions and options are used by WisDOT. |
Revising an Estimate |
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Info: These updates refer to our previous documentation which was posted on the WisDOT Internet site.
Change / Update |
Description |
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Read Only System Access |
Updated screen shots to reflect system changes for field rearrangement and required fields. |
Info: These updates refer to our previous documentation which was posted on the WisDOT Internet site.
Change / Update |
Description |
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Info: These updates refer to our previous documentation which was posted on the WisDOT Internet site.
Change / Update |
Description |
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General |
AWP Precon Field Descriptions – WisDOT specific definitions (tool tips) appear when hovering over field labels/titles for Project and Proposal components. |
AASHTOWare Basics |
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Revising the Estimate |
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Creating a Proposal Estimate for PS&E |
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Read-only System Access |
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Info: These updates refer to our previous documentation which was posted on the WisDOT Internet site.
Change / Update |
Description |
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AASHTOWare Project Overview |
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Introduction to An Estimate |
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Info: These updates refer to our previous documentation which was posted on the WisDOT Internet site.
Change / Update |
Description |
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Read-only System Access |
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Info: These updates refer to our previous documentation which was posted on the WisDOT Internet site.
Change / Update |
Description |
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Introduction of the AASHTOWare Project Preconstruction site and the associated documentation | AASHTOWare Project was put into production in late October 2016. |