VDOT Releases Cost Estimation Tools

VDOT's Cost Estimation Office has announced the release of the Pre-Quantity Tool (PQT) and a searchable bid tabulations archive called Similar Project Estimates by Cost Category (SPECC). 
  
What is the PQT?  PQT is a major quantity tool (MQT) intended for developing estimates in the following situations: 

• Based on limited project definition and quantities when project definition is 0-30%. 
• The purpose of the Tool is to help identify major cost items. 
• The Tool summarizes project cost per phase (PE, RW, CN). 
• The Tool summarizes project costs per discipline within the construction phase (MOT, Roadway, Hydraulics, etc.). 
• The Tool is consistent with the VDOT Cost Estimating Manual in the definition of defined costs, allowances, and risk-based contingencies. 

What is SPECC RESOURCE - SPECC (Similar Project Estimates by Cost Category) is a searchable archive of infrastructure bid tabulations that have been awarded by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), bringing relevant and useful “similar project” information to estimators, quickly and easily.  SPECC's features are as follows:

• SPECC will enable the user to retrieve project information of historical projects that are "analogous" to a proposed new project. 
• The user will open the resource and select from a variety of predefined filters that include criteria such as project type, location, roadway classification among others.  It includes other relevant and useful project information, all cost statistics are derived from the successful contractor’s low bid (non-indexed) and are based on an aggregation of VDOT’s Item Codes in accordance with VDOT’s AASHTOWare Project Preconstruction Manual, Appendix B. 
• The archive contains both Construction and Maintenance projects but does not contain maintenance schedule projects or on-call projects (that are not location specific) (Bridge Painting, Guardrail Hits, Pavement Patching/Repair, Bridge Maintenance, etc.). 

To start using the tool, user guide and resource, you can download or access them here. They are available for those working to develop estimates for VDOT-funded or administered projects. If you have any questions or need assistance email them at PQT@VDOT.Virginia.gov or SPECC@VDOT.Virginia.gov.