The state Department of Transportation
Commissioner Joan McDonald announced
in June a new web-based process making
contract documents for road and bridge
projects available electronically to construction
contractors.
The new system allows the DoT to be more
responsive to the contracting community,
and creates a more efficient process for communicating
project plans to the industry and
responding to questions, she said.
“Streamlining our process makes it more
efficient for customers to do business with
New York state and allows us to be more
responsive to contractor needs,” McDonald
said. “This move follows Gov. Andrew
Cuomo’s direction of making it easier to do
business in and with the state of New York.”
This new process is part of Cuomo’s
initiative to use technology to improve collaboration
and effi ciency in state agency
operations, officials said.
All contracting documents will now be available on www.dot.ny.gov/business for free and immediate download.
Questions and comments regarding project plans will now be received and responded to electronically. McDonald said this allows inquiries to be addressed right up to the letting date, which is the day the contractors must submit their final bids for projects. The formal amendment process will continue to be used for any changes to the original bid documents.
Previously, plans were available only on paper, CD or a fee for service website, but not on the NYSDoT website. The new system was implemented beginning with contracts advertised for letting on July 11.
CDs will remain available for all projects with a letting date on or before September 5. CDs will not be made available for contracts let after that date, with all documents available on-line only, according to DoT.
Documents now available on-line include contract proposals, plans, supplemental information, and amendments. Potential bidders can ask contract-related questions on-line and DoT will post answers.