Bid Item Index - Instructions

    Note: The bid item index files are not compatible with the Electronic Bid System (EBS).

The department provides bid item files for construction and maintenance projects that have been advertised for bidding. The procedures detailed below will allow you to download an electronic file or spreadsheet containing a list of the bid items for that project.

The Excel spreadsheet can be used in preparing a computer printout for a submission with a manual bid.        Instructions on using the template are included below. The spreadsheet is very basic. It will load the bid items from the bid item index files and calculate the extended price for each item after the unit bid price has been entered.

The bid item index files are provided in a text format. This format is compatible with most software applications such as Excel or Lotus. These files have been formatted so that when used with a spreadsheet application such as Excel or Lotus, a computer printout suitable for submission with a manual bid can be produced.

Projects that have addenda affecting the bid items will have new items loaded to the internet. The files will contain all bid items for the project, not just those changed by an addendum.

Instructions to access Bid Item Index Files

To access the bid item data files, please follow these steps:

  1. Click on Bid Item Index.
  2. To download and save the bid item file:
    • find the CCSJ for the project

    • right click and select "save target as"

    • name the file and press the save button

Note: Make sure the bid item is saved as .CSJ file and not an html or other type of file. Saving the file as html or any other type of file will cause a run time error if used with the Excel spreadsheet below.

Instructions to use the Excel spreadsheet

To use the Excel spreadsheet please follow these steps:

  1. Click on Excel Spreadsheet to download and save the spreadsheet template to your computer.

  2. Download and save the bid item files from the bid item index (see instructions above)

  3. Open the spreadsheet file index.xls.

  4. To load the bid item index data into the spreadsheet, press Control and L. You will be prompted to select the file you wish to load.

  5. Save the modified index.xls file to a new Excel spreadsheet.

Questions should be directed to (512) 416-2540.