Project Information
A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result. Projects are typically described in terms of a project name, project location (SR and milepost), type (preservation or improvement), scope (adding lanes, bridge widening, etc) and characteristics (wetland impacts).
Project Scope
The work that must be performed to deliver a product, service or result with the specified features and functions.
Internal Specialty Groups
WSDOT offices that specialize in disciplines that support project development. For example, Bridge, Communications, Environmental, Geotechnical, Hydraulics, Landscape, Materials, Project Management, Real Estate Services, Right of Way, Traffic, Utilities, and Work Zone Traffic Control are all internal specialty groups.
More specific information about these groups is available.
External Specialists
(Also known as External Subject Matter Expert)
The Subject Matter Expert (SME) brings extensive expertise in his/her specialty area. In addition to the technical expertise the SME is expected to provide guidance and assistance on defining the cost and schedule of project activities related to their area of expertise. While the SME should focus on their area of expertise, it is expected that the SMEs should provide input on one or more of the following risk categories: Management; Environmental; Third Party: Design: Construction: Operations and Maintenance; and Safety. SMEs could also be Cost Leads or Risk Leads.
Regional/HQ Management
Offices and personnel that provide ongoing operations for the WSDOT organization. These personnel are in a position to make decisions regarding scope, budget and time for projects.
Market Conditions
Market forces (aka market conditions) - 1: Market forces are the supply and demand factors which determine prices and quantities in a market economy; 2: the available supply of or potential demand for specified goods or services d : the area of economic activity in which buyers and sellers come together and the forces of supply and demand affect prices
1A Dictionary of Economics. John Black. Oxford University Press, 2002. Oxford University Press. St. Martin's Univ.
2Merriam-Webster/online
DISCUSSION on MARKET FORCES (aka market conditions): market forces are changes in supply and/or changes in demand for materials, equipment, or labor that cause relatively short-term cost and/or schedule variations. Market forces are treated as risk events in the workshop and the probability and impacts are elicited in the CRA/CEVP® workshop. Examples of market forces might include: "availability of skilled labor is tight due to high demand for their skills"; "supply of steel is low because of high demand in multiple markets therefore market forces are causing a temporary upswing in steel prices"; "the number of bidders is expected to be low therefore the competition for the work is reduced"; "the type, size, and/or 'packaging' of the work is anticipated to influence bids and/or the number of bidders"; "influences of timing of advertisement on bidders and their responses".
The FHWA has established a
Highway Construction Cost Increases and Competition Issues web page to share information regarding increasing construction costs.
Inflation Rates
Inflation - 1A: persistent tendency for prices and money wages to increase. Inflation is measured by the proportional changes over time in some appropriate price index...; 2: an increase in the volume of money and credit relative to available goods and services resulting in a continuing rise in the general price level.
1A Dictionary of Economics. John Black. Oxford University Press, 2002. Oxford University Press. St. Martin's Univ.
2Merriam-Webster/online
NOTE
Cost estimates are prepared using "Current Year" (CY) dollars and then inflated in order to forecase the "Year Of Expenditure" (YOE) dollars. Inflating CY to YOE is the responsibility of the WSDOT Strategic Planning & Programming - Systems Analysis & Program Development Office. The estimator for the project works in CY dollars.
Construction Cost Inflation
Costs for all project activities, excluding ROW acquisition, will be inflated according to the Construction Cost Index (CCI) values provided by WSDOT Strategic Planning & Programming - Systems Analysis & Program Development Office.
Right-of-way Cost Inflation
ROW acquisition will be inflated according to the R/W Cost Index (RWCI) tables provided by WSDOT Strategic Planning & Programming - Systems Analysis & Program Development Office.
Preliminary Engineering (PE) Inflation
PE costs will be inflated according to the PE Cost Index (PECI) tables provided by WSDOT; these values are available at the following web site:
Databases
Historical Databases
EBASE - Estimates and Bids Analysis System
A PC based
application that is used for project development, advertisement, and award of a project. EBASE has a database embedded in the program that provides unit bid history (see Unit Bid Analysis).
UBA - Unit Bid Analysis An
online application used to compile reports or by-item information using Bid History data supplied by EBASE. This system is limited in the variety of queries available. This data is mostly used as a cost estimating source.
Bid Tabs Pro (OMAN Systems)
A
private company PC based software program using data from EBASE that generates reports or queries. Great flexibility is built into this software. Queries can be by contractor, quantity, county, bid letting dates, and many others. This data is mostly used as a cost estimating source.
RS Means Heavy Construction Cost Data, 20th Edition RS Means publishes guides for construction cost estimating. Their
heavy civil guide includes highways and roads and can be checked out through the WSDOT library. The Means Manual can used to prepare a cost based estimate as this database provides production rates, crew sizes, material costs, and equipment costs. Contractor overhead and profit has to be added.
Bid Results and Contract Awards
Recent projects can often be used as a basis for the most current bid pricing. The
Bid Results and Contract Awards website allows the estimator to review recent bid result. The user should be familiar with the project being bid. Bid data for specific items can be found using the Standard Item Number.
Documents
Estimates
Conceptual – An estimate that is prepared during the Planning project development phase. This estimate is based on limited project scope definition (category, concepts, schematics, and location). Parametric estimating tools are frequently used to prepare conceptual estimates including lane mile factors.
Baseline – An estimate that is prepared during the Scoping project development phase. The baseline estimate becomes the budget when approved. The level of scope definition varies depending on project type, size, and complexity. A baseline estimate is most often prepared using historical bid based estimating techniques.
Updates – An estimate that is prepared during the Design project development phase. Estimate updates are based on preliminary plans and other design information. Estimate updates are used to ensure the project is within the approved budget or serve as a basis for obtaining an authorized change to the approved budget. An estimate update is most often prepared using historical bid based estimating techniques.
Engineer’s – An estimate that is prepared at the end of the PS&E phase of project development. Plans and specifications are complete. An Engineer’s Estimate is most often prepared using historical bid based estimating techniques. The Engineer’s estimate serves as a basis for obligating funds for construction and comparing with contractor’s bids.