New Program Helps Contractors Purchase Plans and Bid Packages ElectronicallyCLEARWATER – An Internet program for contractors and potential bidders on City projects is now available at www.MyClearwater.com. It provides electronic access to construction plans from the comfort of one’s computer. “Plan Room,” or the Plan Command Construction Document Program, allows users to purchase sets of plans to review (and bid on, if pre-qualified) for City projects accepting bids. The program is user-friendly and convenient and is one more way the City is using the Internet for e-business. Bid instructions, bid details, PDF files of construction drawings, and technical specifications for each project are provided. To access the program, users should go to www.MyClearwater.com. The program can be accessed through multiple links. Go to “Quick Links” and select “Invitation to Bid” from the pull-down menu, or click on “Latest Information” on the homepage and look for “Invitation to Bid” under “City Projects.” All posted projects appear under “Engineering Projects Ready to Bid.” If a user wants to bid on a specific city project, he or she can order a complete set of plans using this program. It displays the number of pages and technical specification sections that are included, as well as an estimated cost. Plans are printed by Jiffy Reprographics, a private reprographics firm. Payments are made to Jiffy Reprographics, and plans are usually shipped the same day as ordered. In the past, a complete set of plans for a project, such as Beach Walk, could cost around $200. When advertising a project for bid, the City purchased a certain number of plan sets to make them available to potential bidders. If few contractors placed bids, money was wasted on printed plans that were not needed. This no longer happens with the “Plan Room” program in place. “The ‘Plan Room’ program streamlined our plan availability processes to make it easier for contractors and vendors to bid on City projects,” said Tom Mahony, Geographic Technology Manager of Engineering. “It’s more convenient for contractors and saves the City money at the same time.” Anyone can obtain plans and specifications for open projects, but only pre-qualified contractors can submit formal bids. For more information about this program or Engineering projects, visit www.MyClearwater.com or call (727) 562-4750.
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