March 2025 Industry Partner Update

As we approach the one-year anniversary of launching e-Builder, we want to take a moment to recognize the incredible progress we’ve made together. Over the past year, industry partners like you have played a vital role in refining processes, improving workflows, and enhancing project transparency. Thanks to your feedback, we have implemented nearly 300 updates and introduced new processes to support ​the complexity of the projects we deliver across the state.

We recognize that transitions like these come with challenges, and we appreciate your engagement, patience, and commitment to making e-Builder an efficient and effective tool for all users. Moving forward, we remain dedicated to continuous improvement and encourage you to share your insights as we further enhance the system.

1. New Public Process for Feedback and Training Requests

We have introduced a new feedback and training request process on the DFD Resources website, where industry partners can:

• Request additional training on e-Builder processes
• Provide feedback on system enhancements
  

Find this under "Additional Support" on the home page or directly access here.

2. Contractor Certification Process Now Live

Contractors wishing to bid on state construction projects are required to submit a Contractor Certification Application per Wis. Stats. 16.855(9M). This process has now moved fully online via e-Builder, streamlining application submission and renewal.

• New Contractors: Apply via the Contractor Certification ​Application link.
  
• Currently Certified Contractors: Manage certification renewals within e-Builder under the project labeled “ZZZ – Company Name” using Process 64 Contractor Certification.
  

More details are available on the DOA Contractor Certification Website.

3. AE Data Records Process for Design Partners

Architectural/Engineering (AE) firms are required to submit and maintain an AE Data Record (AEDR) in e-Builder per Adm 20.05(2)(a). This process ensures DFD has the most up-to-date information on:

• Firm staffing and expertise
• Services offered
• Project experience and specialties
• Fee rate sheets (for small project consideration)

New AE Firms: Start by submitting an AE Data Record Reque​st.

Existing AE Firms: Update details within e-Builder under Process 62 A/E Data Record (AEDR) in your “ZZZ – Company Name” project.

4. New Project Views & Reporting Enhancements for Agencies

• We have added new project views within e-Builder Agency Read Only accounts, allowing for improved navigation by Campus/Institution.
• Custom reporting options—Agency Change Champions will be contacted to review report needs by agency.​
  

Looking Ahead

We appreciate your ongoing partnership and commitment to improving e-Builder. Your feedback is invaluable as we continue refining the system to better serve you. If you have any questions, please submit a User Access and Login Request for assistance.​

Previous Updates

March 2024

Transitioning from WisBu​ild to eBuilder

In our ongoing efforts to enhance efficiency, streamline our processes, and improve collaboration, we will be transitioning all bid advertising activities from WisBuild to eBuilder. This transition will provide a more integrated and user-friendly platform for bid management.

​​​Create an eBuilder Bidding Portal Account:

1. ​​Prior to May 14, 2024, please navigate to the eBuilder List of Projects out for Bid website to create your eBuilder Bidding Portal Account.
2. Find the "Demonstration Bid Package" project, click that project link and you will be taken to a landing page for the project.
3. Navigate to "View Bid Package and Addenda on e-Builder (sign-in required)." Here you will be prompted to sign in or create a Bidding Portal account. Please note for security purposes, this account log in is separate from the standard eBuilder account log in used for project access.
4. ​If this is your first-time using the eBuilder Bidding Portal, choose "Create Account" under “Are you a first time bidder?"
5. After logging into the Bid Portal, confirm your company and contact details, then click save.
6. After you have completed the above steps, there is no further action needed.​

Revised Bidding Instructions for eBuilder

Alongside this transition, we are implementing new bidding documents with revised instructions specifically tailored for the eBuilder platform. Please find below a summary of the revised bidding instructions:

Accessing the​ Bid Package:

1. Navigate to the new projects out for bid page and select the project of interest.
2. Click on the unique bid package link to access the eBuilder Bidding Portal.
3. Please note that the login credentials for the bidding portal will differ from your standard eBuilder Single Sign-On account login.
4. If this is your first time bidding, navigate to the unique bidding link and choose "Create Account" under “Are you a first time bidder?"
   
5. After logging into the Bid Portal, confirm your company and contact details, then click save.
6. Upon logging in to the project, locate and accept the package invitation.

​​​​Viewing and Downloading Documents:

1. Navigate to the "Invitation Documents" tab to view and download all relevant project documents.
2. Any additional addenda notifications will be accessible under the "Addenda" section. Ensure to download the addenda files from the "Invitation Documents" tab.
   

Submitting Your Bid:

1. ​Return to the bidding portal and proceed to the "Response Form" section.
2. Enter your bid amount and total cost in the designated fields.
3. Upload your Bid Bond and Bid Form documents as required.
4. Acknowledge any applicable addenda. NOTE​: While acknowledging addenda in the bid portal is essential, it is not the only acknowledgement required. Ensure that all addenda are acknowledged on the provided lines of the DFD Bid Form to avoid potential rejection.

We understand that adapting to these changes may require some adjustment, and we are here to support you throughout the transition process. Should you have any questions or require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our team at DOADFDAdminServices@wisconsin.gov.

During this transition period, we want to ensure that all bidders have access to the full range of bidding opportunities. To facilitate this, we will be launching two bid advertisements and results pages on our DOA website. These pages will clearly distinguish between projects advertised on WisBuild and those open fo​r bidding in eBuilder. This way, bidders can easily navigate and identify all potential opportunities and results.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. Your continued partnership is greatly valued, and we look forward to your participation in our projects through the eBuilder platform.​

​J​​uly 2023

2023 Wisconsin Act 19 made numerous changes to project approval thresholds for State of Wisconsin construction projects. For example, the Small Projects and Simplified Bidding threshold has been increased from $300,000 to $600,000. Many projects in this range will no longer require Single Prime (or Single Trade) Bidding and Contracting, instead they will bid and contract under Small Project and Simplified Bidding procedures.​

In certain instances, th​ese threshold increases may impact contractor certification levels. The DFD Certification team has updated certification levels as appropriate. Contractors do not need to submit for updated certification. Please direct all certification questions to dfdcertification@wisconsin.gov.

October 2022

The Division of Facilities Development has uploaded a new template to the DOA website. For additional specification volumes, creating a table of contents can be cumbersome for our design partners. DFD has created a new master template for those additional volumes in order to make your lives just a little bit easier. 

As a reminder, you should always navigate to the DOA website and download your documents at the beginning of each project. We do not recommend using saved copies as minor revisions are made to our documents frequently. You can find the master templates by navigating to https://doa.wi.gov/Pages/DoingBusiness/DocLibrary.aspx.

We want to thank you all for your continued support of these changes. Please contact BCBCA Enterprise Program Supervisor, Jessica Scharff, with any questions at Jessica.Scharff@wisconsin.gov.​

August 2022

The Division of Facilities Development is excited to announce updates to our master templates and new Building Information Modeling (BIM) guidelines. We recently completed a series of revisions to our master templates to correct outdate​d language, introduce new process improvements, and make COVID-related process changes permanent.  

After surveying our construction partners, we are happy to announce we are formalizing many of the process improvements made following the start of the pandemic. These include: 

• ​Bid submission via e-mail.
• Virtual Bid Openings via Microsoft Teams.
• The ability to electronically sign bid forms and contract documents.

In addition, we will now be accepting electronic bid submissions for all projects bid by DFD and will no longer be conducting bid openings in Eau Claire.  

As part of these revisions, DFD has formalized Building Information Modeling (BIM) guidelines as well as introduced a new technical specification to be included in documents when necessary. This specification section details administrative and procedural requirements necessary to prepare coordination documents, including a Building Information Model (BIM) using three-dimensional elements.  The purpose of BIM is to create a model that will be used for contractor coordination of all trades through the construction lifecycle.

​As a reminder, you should always navigate to the DOA website and download your documents at the beginning of each project. We do not recommend using saved copies as minor revisions are made to our documents frequently. You can find the master templates by navigating to https://doa.wi.gov/Pages/DoingBusiness/DocLibrary.aspx. More detailed information is available in the complete summary of revisions.  

NOTE: These revised templates are required to be used for any project that will be bid on or after November 1st, 2022. 

In​ addition to the revisions to our documents, we have two important updates related to bid documents and Wisbuild Help Desk Tickets:

• ​Drawing Files for Bid Documents and Construction Documents are requested to be a Single PDF File rather than a Zip Folder.
• We will no longer require individual drawings files in zip folders.
• File size limit: 2GB/per PDF file.
• PDF drawing files should remain separated by volume.
• Wisbuild Help Desk Ticket File Size Attachment Limit has been increased to 200 MB.
• ​The previous file size limit was 2MB.
  
• Anything over 200 MB will need to be broken into more than one file.  

We want to thank you all for your continued support of these changes. Please contact BCBCA Enterprise Program Supervisor, Jessica Scharff, with any questions at Jessica.Scharff@wisconsin.gov.

Other Updates

​Single Prime Bidding and Contracting Updates​

Other Important Notices​

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