Bidding

See how Inspec posts current projects out for bid, where to find the eBidDoc number, how to get plans and specifications, and how the bid period is run.

Current Projects Out for Bid

Inspec posts current projects out for bid through the QuestCDN online plan room. Projects that are open for download appear in Inspec's project list on QuestCDN. To open a set, you will need the eBidDoc number for that project, which is shown with the project listing.

Projects Currently Available

Downloading the documents adds your firm to the plan holders list for that project. That list is how addenda and other notices reach bidders, so register with an email address that is monitored during the bid period.

Paper copies of bidding documents

If you would like a printed set instead of a download, contact Northstar Imaging at 651-686-0477 and reference the project.

What Is in a Set of Bidding Documents

Inspec prepares construction documents for building owners, so a bid set describes the work in the terms a contractor needs to price it. Depending on the project, a set may include:

Drawings showing the areas of work, details and any phasing constraints
Technical specifications for materials, systems and workmanship
Instructions to bidders and the bid form to be submitted
Information gathered during investigation about existing conditions
Requirements for submittals, mock-ups, testing and inspection during construction
Owner requirements such as insurance, bonding, wage rates or site access rules

Read the instructions to bidders first. They govern how and when bids are received, what must accompany the bid, and how alternates or unit prices are to be handled.

How the Bid Period Works

Inspec administers the bid period on behalf of the owner. If a pre-bid meeting or site walkthrough is scheduled for a project, it will be identified in the bidding documents along with whether attendance is mandatory.

Questions about scope, details or specified products should be submitted in writing to Inspec during the bid period rather than raised with the owner directly. Substantive answers are issued as written addenda to everyone on the plan holders list, so that all bidders price the same work. Verbal interpretations do not change the documents. Bidders are responsible for acknowledging every addendum on their bid form.

Inspec's Role Before and After the Bid

Inspec is a consulting engineering and architecture firm. We investigate the existing condition, design the repair or replacement, and prepare the documents that go out for bid. We do not perform the construction work and we do not bid on it, so the documents are written to describe the owner's requirements rather than a particular contractor's means and methods.

Owners who are considering putting a roof, wall, window or waterproofing project out for bid usually begin with an assessment and a set of construction documents rather than with the bid itself. A clearly written set narrows the range of interpretations, makes bids easier to compare, and reduces the number of change orders that surface later. Our building enclosure consulting work covers that earlier stage.

Questions About a Project on the List

For questions about a specific project out for bid, contact the Inspec office identified in the bidding documents for that project. General inquiries can be directed through our contact page, and our office information is listed under locations.

From the technical library

Common questions

How do I find the eBidDoc number for an Inspec project?

The eBidDoc number is shown with each project in the Inspec project list on QuestCDN. Locate the project you are interested in, note its eBidDoc number, and use it to download the plans and specifications. If you cannot find the project, contact the Inspec office named in the advertisement for that work.

Can I get printed plans and specifications instead of downloading them?

Yes. Printed sets are handled by Northstar Imaging. Call 651-686-0477, reference the project you need, and they will arrange the paper copies. Most bidders still download the electronic set as well, because addenda and notices are distributed to the plan holders list generated through the online plan room.

Who do I ask if something in the bidding documents is unclear?

Submit questions in writing to Inspec during the bid period rather than to the building owner. If the answer changes or clarifies the documents, it is issued as a written addendum to every plan holder so all bidders price identical work. Verbal responses do not modify the contract documents and should not be relied on.

Does Inspec perform the work that is out for bid?

No. Inspec is a consulting engineering and architecture firm. We investigate conditions, design the repair or replacement, prepare the bidding documents and advise the owner. The construction is performed by the contractor selected through the bid process, which keeps the documents focused on the owner's requirements rather than any one contractor's methods.