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ePlan Room for Estimating and Bidding Construction Projects: A New Tool in Construction Engineering Education Delivery

Abstract

Integration of Information Technology (IT) in construction contracting and project delivery has recently resulted in fundamental changes in how contractors can estimate and bid on construction projects. With the introduction of Electronic Plan Room (ePlan Room), construction estimating and bidding projects has become a lot quicker and simpler. Due to the availability of 24-Hour Internet access, contractors can review several projects in a short time, and bid on the jobs that they are serious about. On-Screen take-offs can be done using an easy-to-use system, and contractors can optimize their efforts by saving on travel and labor costs thus resulting in more successful construction project bids. This paper describes the basic and advanced features of Missouri’s AGC ePLAN Room, and highlights the advantages of integration of AGC-Missouri’s and similar ePLAN rooms in construction engineering/management curriculums in the overall delivery of construction engineering-related education. The paper is directed to the educational and research interests of the community of students and faculty belonging to the disciplines of civil/construction and architectural engineering, construction science and construction management. The exposure of students to the database of several construction projects in a relatively short time allows them to view plans and specifications on-line, and do the quantity take-offs on-screen. Full sets of plans and specifications can be printed in office or a construction trailer. Author’s recommendations on the adoption and use of Missouri’s AGC ePLAN Room and similar ePlan Rooms is discussed in the context of other recent advancements in the construction engineering and management education.

Introduction

Information Technology (IT) has become an indispensable and integral part of the construction practice. With the availability of 24-Hour Internet access, fundamental changes from construction estimating and bidding to management of construction documents in a virtual environment are already under way. Contractors of all sizes, from small to mid-size, to large companies, have begun to understand how subscribing to, and utilizing ePlan rooms (the Electronic Plan Room) can boost their productivity in estimating and bidding. With the aid of On-Screen take-offs, the contractors can reduce travel and labor costs. This paper discusses the basic features of AGC-Missouri’s ePlan Room (there are other ePlan Rooms), and highlights the advantages, in general, of using ePlan rooms in construction engineering and management curriculums. The exposure of students to the database of construction projects in an ePlan room allows them to view plans and specifications on-line, and do the quantity take-offs on-screen. In the light of ePlan rooms, other recent developments in construction practice, are also discussed in the paper to emphasize integrated project delivery that insures sharing and providing information to the entire construction team.

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Varma, V. (2009, June), Using Eplan Room For Estimating And Bidding Construction Projects: A New Tool In Construction Engineering Education Delivery Paper presented at 2009 Annual Conference & Exposition, Austin, Texas. 10.18260/1-2--4694