The Plans, Specifications & Estimates (PS&E) package is the compilation of all pre-construction activities and is the basis for the development of the documents that will be provided to construction contractors for bidding purposes. The PS&E package includes approved project plans, provisions, pay item quantities, agreements, certifications, regulatory approvals and supporting documentation.
Plans
The Local Government Agency (LGA) is responsible for the requirements for plan sheet size, guidelines for preparing contract plans, and review of the PS&E package. Refer to Design/Plans for additional information on design criteria, standards, and minimum requirements.
Specifications
The specifications section of the PS&E includes all the general directions, provisions, and requirements for the construction of the project. These requirements state the minimum standards of performance for materials and workmanship executed under the contract. Locally Administered Projects (LAP) must follow federal and state requirements for specifications development.
Modifications to specifications address project specific needs and are used for items not covered by the approved standard specifications. These are included with the Specification Package and must also be prepared, signed, and sealed by a Professional Engineer.
Engineer's Estimate
The final Engineer's Estimate should reflect the anticipated itemized costs of the project, using the pay items and units in the current
NCDOT Standard Specifications for Roads and Structures, in enough detail to permit an effective review and comparison of the bids received. The estimate can be based on historic data, actual cost or a combination of both. Lump Sum estimates will not be accepted, unless the project is non-typical.
A preliminary estimate can be used to set goals for Minority Business Participation and will be used as a baseline to compare bids received.
Items that should NOT be included in an Engineer's Estimate:
- Contingency
- Allowances
- Inspection Costs
Minority Business Participation
Minority Businesses shall have equal opportunity to participate in the performance of contracts financed in whole or in part by federal and/or state funds. NCDOT reviews the Engineer's Estimate for the project and establishes a goal for participation by a
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE). Only firms certified by NCDOT as a DBE (federal funds), and
Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)/Women Business Enterprise (WBE) (state funds) can count towards meeting the goal. The goal will be inserted in the contract documents. See Construction Contractor Procurement and Construction for additional information.
The following are defined as minority businesses:
DBE is the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) term for economically and socially disadvantaged groups. The DBE program supersedes state or local requirements concerning the solicitation and participation of minority businesses, whenever federal funds are involved.
MBE and WBE are state terms used to describe businesses that are majority owned by a minority or a woman. The MBE/WBE program applies when a project is funded with state funds only.
For a business to be considered DBE, MBE, or WBE, it must be
certified by NCDOT.
Procedure
- The LGA prepares the Engineer's Estimate and submits it through the
Enterprise Business Services (EBS) Portal
- NCDOT staff reviews the engineer's estimate and provides a goal for DBE (federal money) or goals for MBE/WBE (state money)
- At the time of advertisement, the LGA submits a final Engineer's Estimate, which is used to analyze bids received; the LGA shall forward any addendums that are issued that change the final Engineer's Estimate (see
Concurrence in Award Checklist for more information)
