HCSS started a new series on HCSS Academy and the first one is titled “Master Your DOT Bid Imports and Submissions”. Aaron Allshouse, the product manager for HeavyBid, leads this webinar. Here are some points I will add to this video:

  1. A major error I see companies making is exporting the AASHTOware file first to Excel and then importing that file. You can go directly from AASHTOware (or whatever your state uses) to HeavyBid, and then no fields are dropped accidentally. Also, the final bid item prices can be exported from HeavyBid directly to the same import file, saving a step.
  2. Another error is not using the Addendum routine that HCSS has built in. It can really help you especially on a large complex bid with many changes. Don’t ignore this function. Aaron covers this in this video
  3. A critical point that Aaron did not make is where to store the exported file from the state bidding software. Don’t export it just to “Downloads”. I recommend that every DOT have a file folder for the monthly letting. Then in that folder, have a subfolder for each project. Finally in each project folder save the export files from AASHTOware or whatever system your state is using. When it is time to export the prices back to this file then HeavyBid will have the path. See my file organization charge below.

Here is the link to the webinar:

LINK

The HeavyBid Support team can also help you with this so be sure to utilize this resource.