Projects are reported by Reed Construction Data in the PLANNING, BIDDING and POST BID Stages. You will also see Negotiated projects, including Design-Build projects. Following are definitions of what we mean when a Project is shown to be in a given Stage.

In the PLANNING Stage

Pre-Planning
Project Proposed — the period of time during which the project is “proposed”, but no design work has been started. The proposal to build may depend on funding approval, a zoning change, property acquisition, etc. Proposals may be requested from design-build firms with a specific due date, and architect selection may begin on a certain date or be underway (Architect Proposals Due, Architect Selection to Begin or Architect Selection Underway).

Pre-planning may also include feasibility studies which are studies of all factors relative to a proposed construction project, especially cost, to determine if the project is feasible or if an alternative solution might be sought, such as relocating or renting space.

Masterplanning
Preparation by the architect of a master plan or program of construction to meet the owner’s needs.

Conceptual Drawings
Early stage drawings outlining a design concept before a specific project approach is decided.

Schematic Design
Early drawings illustrating scale and relationship of project components. Usually includes a preliminary project cost estimate.

Preliminary Plans
This term is analogous to the term Design Development, but is sometimes used as a bridging term between Design Development and Working Drawings.

Design Development
Preparation of drawings that fix and describe the character of the project as to architectural, structural, mechanical and electrical systems, materials and other elements.

Working Drawings
Preparation of working drawings is the process of adding the details and dimensions necessary to make plans and specifications ready for bidding, negotiation or construction. Also referred to as Construction Documents.

Project Abandoned
If a project is canceled or abandoned by the owner, a report with this status will be issued one time only.

In the BIDDING Stage

Bid Date Set
This status is used with the announcement of a specific bid date for general or prime contract bids to be received.

Sub-bid Date Set
This status is used with the announcement of a specific bid date for bids to be received for subcontract bids.

Sub-bids ASAP
This status is used when an owner, developer or general contractor is seeking bids on an informal ASAP basis.

Bids Postponed
This status appears when the bidding for a project has been postponed indefinitely without the setting of a new bid date.

In the POST BID Stage

Low Bids Announced
The architect or owner announces the names and bid amounts of the firms bidding the project. Reed Construction Data tries to report the three lowest bidders and their bid amounts where this information is available.

Subbids Closed
On negotiated projects where subcontract bids are taken by a general contractor or owner on a formal set date or on an informal ASAP basis, this term signifies that all bids have been received and no further bids are wanted.

GC Award
The General Contractor has been selected and a contract awarded. Sometimes, an announcement of low bidders is withheld by the architect and the owner, and an announcement is made only when the general contractor has been selected.

Bids Rejected
If bids are not within an owner’s budget, all bids may be rejected, plans revised and the project rebid at a later date. Sometimes, an owner will negotiate with the lowest bidder, or the three lowest bidders, to bring the cost down to within the budget allowance without revising plans and taking new bids.

Subcontractor Awards
After the General Contractor has been awarded, within a few weeks the GC will award the subcontracts. On commercial projects over $1,000,000, Reed reports the names of the 8 to 16 major subcontractors where this information is available.

These may include HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, Concrete Masonry, Brick, Block or Stone Masonry, Roofing, Drywall and Painting. We will also try to obtain Carpentry, Grading & Excavating, Foundations, Glass/Glazing, Curtainwall, Fire Sprinklers, Structural Steel Erection and Acoustical.

For NEGOTIATED Projects

• The General Contractor is chosen informally, without competitive bidding from several GCs.
• The Developer/Owner intends to bypass a GC altogether and contract directly with subcontractors.
• GC bids or subcontract bids are taken on an informal “As Soon As Possible” basis without a fixed bid date.
• GC has been selected and is soliciting subcontractor bids on a specific date and time.
• If a project is negotiated it will go through the full Planning Stage and the Awarding of Contracts.