Prime Bid Release Notes

Prime Bid Version 8.0

Bid Items/Final Unit Price Closing Worksheet

  1. Import Bid Item Information During MC2-ICE Details Import

    Add the bid item field to scope items during the MC2-ICE details import. There will be a new crystal report file for ICE and the ability to capture the bid item field for individual takeoff items. The updated bid import files that result from the revised crystal reports for MC2-ICE allow for a primary sort sequence (usually phase or minor section) and for a secondary sort sequence to be used in the bid breakdown list in Prime Bid. Imported sections can then be automatically assigned to the imported sections.

  2. New Filter to Display Bid Items by Sections with Scope Items

    The new filter will sort by Bid Item, then by Section and then display the Scope Items. This allows for a complete review of the scope items in the bid file. Click to see a screenshot.

  3. Add the List of Current Bid Items in a Bid File into the Bid Item Selection Window

    This will allow the user to select from previously entered bid items from the bid item selection list instead of re-typing them each time they are assigning a bid item to a section. The list can come from the program database or from the list that is currently being used in the bid file. Click to see a screenshot.

  4. Final Unit Price Adjustments Worksheet

    This new worksheet will allow the user to adjust, balance/unbalance and/or modify the markup percentage by bid items. The allocation of the markups will be available in this worksheet. Bid Items can be locked for early resolution and all changes modifying unlocked items. This allows for re-distribution of costs and locking down items that are filled in on forms before closing the bid, after which all changes are processed into the unlocked items. Click to see a screenshot.

  5. Balance/Unbalance Bid Items

    This will allow the user to enter an add or deduct to a bid item and have the worksheet balance the entry as a weighted average entry into the other bid item(s) that are unlocked.

  6. Lump Sum Adjustments to Bid Items

    This will allow the user to enter an amount to a bid item and then adjust by weighted average into the other bid item(s) that are unlocked.

  7. Tables for Headers

    Add a Tables menu to the right of the Filters menu. These tables are for Divisions, Sections, Bid Items, Bid Breakdowns, and Job Cost Phases. The fields displayed are relative to the type of header, most will include Code, Description, Quantity, Unit, Category Totals, Unit Price and Grand Total. Click to see a screenshot.

  8. Import Lists into Tables

    Add an import option to import fields for a table from a .txt file. This allows for the importing of a long list of bid items or bid breakdowns with quantities and units. The imported list will facilitate the assignment of the items to the sections in the bid file.

Summary View Enhancements

  1. Add Drop Down List of WBS Recaps to Display in the Summary View

    Allow the user to select from a list of summaries to display on the right hand side of the summary view. The included bid recaps are:

    • Divisions Display
    • Matrix Cut/Add
    • Matrix Summary (displayed below)
    • Bid Breakdown Summary
    • Job Cost Phase Summary
    • Summarized Sub Listing

    Click to see a screenshot.

  2. Add a New Buyout Analysis/Final Cut/Add Summary

    Add a final cut/add sheet to the summary view that has columns for Division Total, Buyout Total, Difference and Final Cut/Add. These cut/adds will sum to a new cut/add found next to the final cut/add. A buyout target can be set and the potential cut/add amount shown as a buyout savings. Click to see a screenshot.

  3. Add a New Addon Type for Allowances

    The new addon will be placed between the Total Bid Amount and the Sales Tax on Total Bid and named Allowances. These will be lump sum amount addons with a new toolbar button. Displayed above as the Artwork allowance and Carpeting allowance.

  4. Change Alert on Bid Summary

    Displays a background color for a bid summary header based on a change over the last X minutes interval. Displayed above with the recent changes during the last interval in the 15.0 Mechanical and 16.0 Electrical total amounts.

  5. Insert a Subtotal in the Base Bid + Alts Tab in the Tabular Window

    The user can insert a subtotal (that can be custom named) in the middle of the Base Bid and Alternate bids to get a summary of the rows above. This is helpful in CLIN estimating.

  6. Drill Down from Bid Recaps

    Double click on a bid summary item and the view changes to display more detail. A double click on a Division (Code or Description) would switch to the Divisions - Details section view for that division. A double click on a matrix name would switch to that matrix.

  7. Add Criteria for Range in the Indirect Costs and Markups

    Range by section From and To that allows for another criteria to narrow the scope of the addon. Click to see a screenshot.

  8. Add a Criteria for Exceeds Sub Bid Amount of X in the Indirect Costs

    One range is for subcontractor bid threshold - when a sub bid amount exceeds 100,000. Click to see a screenshot.

  9. Add a Summarized Sub Listing Filter to the Summary Displays

    This displays a sub listing summarized filter in the summary view.

  10. Adjust the After Bid Sales Tax to accommodate a Second Subtotal

    This displays a group of after bid sales tax items and a possible second group.

  11. In the Edit Bonds Window add a Lump Sum Amount to be added to the Total

    This allows for a building permit calculation that includes a step rate calculation and a fixed amount.

Alternates Enhancements

  1. New Alternates Analysis Capability - Solve for Selected Alternates

    This allows the user to select the base bid and selected alternates to get the best solution using the subs with the lowest bid amounts for the combination. The subs can be required for the base bid and selected alternates. Click to see a screenshot.

  2. Combine the Base Bid and Selected Alternates into a New Bid File

    This allows the user to create a new bid file from the costs of the base bid and selected alternates into a new bid file with only a base bid. All of the like sections from the base bid and selected alternates are added together into one section in the base bid in the new file. Each unique occurrence of a section is all placed in the new base bid.

  3. Reclaim All or Some of the User's Editing Rights During Closing Processes

    This allows the master user to reclaim all of the users editing rights during the closing processes of Alternates Analysis and DBE Analysis. Also in the Alternates Analysis the Master User could reclaim the editing rights to one matrix during the Use Low Base Bidders in Alts or in the Compare Base Bid + Alt, if the change is to only one matrix.

Other Enhancements

  1. New Bid Vendor Database Filter that Shows Vendors by "Sections" Sort

    Add a new set of vendor database filters to the existing filters that sort by main section, for a new set that sorts by sections. Multiple section vendors will display under each section.

  2. Clear All Bids from Matrices

    Allows the user to remove all of the bids from all of the matrices in the bid file.

  3. Display the Total of the Subcontractor Bond Calculations for the Matrices

    In the status bar on the Summary View, show the total of all of the subcontractor bond calculations that are from the individual subcontractor bond amount in the matrices.

  4. Copy and Paste Scope Items

    In the Scope Items Worksheet, allow the user to copy and paste individual or multiple scope items from one section to another. Also allow for two bid files to be open and to copy and paste scope items from one bid file to another bid file.

  5. Hide Status Bar and/or Toolbars

    Add a new option in the General Preferences to hide the status bars or toolbars from the three views. This allows for greater screen real estate while working to input information.

Refinements

  1. Save Allocation Status for the Bid File When Saved

  2. Arrange Filters in Cascading Menus

  3. Change the Add Breakout Amount to Lump Sum Bid from Default Yes to No

  4. Change Scope Items to 120 Characters in Length

  5. Set a Default Open/Save Vendor Database in the Vendors Preference Window

  6. Set Preferences for Summary View Subtotals - Description, Color, Font Size

  7. Set Summary View Subtotals Background Colors

  8. Show Premium Amount for Required DBE Types in Best Fit Window

  9. Show Premium Amount for Required DBE Types in DBE Analysis Window

  10. Allow for 500 Alternates as the New Alternate Limit

  11. Hide/Unhide Columns in the Summary View

  12. Show the Summary View Gross Unit Price by Unit Name

  13. New MC2-ICE MasterFormat Crystal Report Transfer

  14. New Timberline Multi-Sort Sequence Crystal Report File

  15. Faster Multi-user Matrix Calculations

  16. Allow for Decimal Place Settings in the Amount Column in the Summary View

  17. Additional Sample Bid Files for Different Bid Types

  18. Edit the Summary View Font

  19. New Pop-Up Vendor List in Matrix Vertical View

Prime Bid Version 7.32

  1. Maintenance release

    Various bug fixes and maintenance updates.

Prime Bid Version 7.3

Broadcast Fax/Email Enhancements

  1. New "Preferred Method" option in the broadcast wizard

    Allow the user to have a fifth option for the broadcast fax wizard: "preferred method." This is the vendor's preferred method of receiving communication; fax or email.

  2. Broadcast wizard now two-part wizard

    Split the broadcast process into two separate processes: one for faxes and one for emails. Require the use of separate template documents for each process.

Vendor Data Enhancements

  1. Vendor database synchronization tool

    Compare a current vendor database with another database and update records based on some choices made by the user.

  2. Create editable user fields

    Edit user fields for vendor records to create a default list. Change user fields to have drop-down lists that are based off of editable fields.

  3. Sort columns by ascending/descending in the vendor database grid editor

    Allow the user to highlight a column in the vendor database grid editor and right click or click a button to sort by ascending or descending on any column. Also allows for multi column sorting.

  4. Find/replace in vendor database grid editor

    Allow the user to highlight a column in the vendor database grid editor and right click or click a button to do a find and replace of values in the column.

  5. Go to any field in the vendor database grid editor

    Allow the user to highlight a column in the vendor database grid editor and use the Go To field to go to the first match. User must first sort that column.

  6. New 5-scale vendor rating

    Changed vendor rating to have five default choices: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. (A rating of 1 will turn the vendor record red in the edit bid vendor database window.)

  7. Allow user to color vendor name blue for customized uses

    Create option to use a check box to mark a vendor as "preferred" (and colored blue) for whatever internal use the user would need.

  8. New 10 contacts per vendor, and added title field

    Added seven more contacts to each vendor, and added a title field to each.

General Feature Enhancements

  1. Show the city, state, and main section in vendor lookup

    Added option in matrices preferences to show city, state, and main section in vendor lookup window when entering a vendor into a bid.

  2. Allow matrix solutions to ignore preliminary numbers

    Added preference to include or not include preliminary values in matrices' best solution. This preference will also affect the used versus best solutions analysis in the summary view.

  3. New filter: Sections - Rights

    Added new filter that shows which users have editing rights for which sections. The filter displays the category cost totals for the sections.

  4. New filter: Sections - By Matrix

    Added new filter that shows which sections are assigned to which matrices. Sections not assigned to a matrix are shown in their own category.

  5. Option to show non-used sections in the add sections window

    Added checkbox option in the Add Sections to a Matrix window that, when unchecked, shows all sections in the bid, and when checked, shows sections not used in the matrices.

  6. New right-click option for sections — add section to a matrix

    Added right-click menu option to add sections to a matrix in the sections view. It will bring up a list of matrices that you can add the section to.

  7. Bid vendor database filters included in exporting grid data window

    Added the option to export the standard bid vendor database filters from within the Tools → Export Grid Data window.

  8. Added additional user-selectable columns in the tabular window beneath the Base + Alts tab

    These columns are Indirect Costs Total, Markups Total, Bonding Costs Total. They reflect the same summary information that you see on the right-hand side of the Summary view. They have a grand total for the base bid and alternates like the other columns.

Prime Bid Version 7.22

  1. Performance enhancements

    Prime Bid now has better memory usage resulting in faster load times and calculations.

  2. Maintenance release

    Various bug fixes and maintenance updates.

Prime Bid Version 7.2

  1. New Filter: Section Bid Recap

    This filter displays all of the subs and suppliers that bid for a section of work, sorted by section. This allows for a listing of all of the bids from the matrices onto the sections spreadsheet.

  2. New Filter: Section Bid Recap by Matrix

    This filter displays all of the subs and suppliers that bid for a section of work, sorted by the matrix name. This allows for a listing of all of the bids from the matrices onto the sections spreadsheet.

  3. New Filter: Gross Unit Price by Category

    This filter displays the category total prices for each section with a unit price for the category based on the gross unit for the bid file (usually the gross square footage). This helps keep track of unit prices by category for sections. When a section has costs for more than one category, then the section will display for each category.

  4. New Filter: Gross Unit Price by Section

    This filter displays the category total prices for each section with a unit price for the section based on the gross unit for the bid file (usually the gross square footage). This helps keep track of unit prices for sections.

  5. Change to the Sub Listing Filter

    The Sub Listing filter has been changed to sort by matrix name and show all of the sections within the matrix with the winning bidder. This allows the user to distinguish the type of work for a subcontractor without having to type in the type of work into the spreadsheet.

  6. New Prebuilt Job Cost Budget Export for Viewpoint Cost Accounting

    Added a new prebuilt file format exporting a job cost budget. The file is a text file that has a format that will import directly into Viewpoint. The user can designate cost types and how to manage the addons.

  7. New Prebuilt Job Cost Budget Export for Timberline Cost Accounting

    Added a new prebuilt file format for exporting a job cost budget. The file is a text file that has a format that will import directly into Timberline. The user can designate category types and how to manage addons.

Prime Bid Version 7.1

  1. Scope item editing in the sections spreadsheet

    Users can now edit scope items, including adding scope items by cost category and changing the cost category total for each added or changed scope item value.

  2. New filter: Scope Items Worksheet

    New working filter in the sections spreadsheet to work directly with the scope items, scope items changes can update the category total.

  3. Ability to flag scope items

    Scope items can be flagged (marked) for reference with a background color. The flagged colors show up in the vertical view and in the scope item worksheet.

  4. Automatically flag scope items from estimating import with a value of $1 or less

    The imported scope items from estimating software with a value of $1 or less automatically get flagged to highlight the need for a value to be placed in the scope item.

  5. Assign a background color to a flagged scope item

    The background color that indicates that a scope item has been flagged can be set by the user.

  6. Recalculate section total by changing the value of a scope item

    A new preference for changing the section category change in conjunction with a scope item value change can be set by the user.

  7. DBE Status filter

    A new filter for the bid vendor database shows all of the DBE categories with all of the matching vendors sorted by Main Section.

  8. Transfer rights now has messaging instead of approvals

    The transferring of rights now does not require each user to click a Yes button to complete the transfer, now a message box appears and the rights are transferred without delay.

  9. Automatically sort a new section in the section input sorted filters

    New "sorted" Section Input filters resort by the CSI section code each time a new section is added to the bid file.

  10. Display preliminary values for scope items in the Vertical View

    The default value for each scope item from the scope items worksheet displays in the vertical view on the scope item row in the preliminary column.