Part F - eConstruction

From Delaware DOT Construction Manual
Revision as of 15:59, 23 June 2022 by Cblowers (talk | contribs) (→‎F3.02 Unifier Business Process (BP) Training info: Added submittal naming convention.)
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Section F1.00 - General Information

F1.01 - Introduction

  • The Federal Highway Administration's defines eConstruction as a paperless construction administration delivery process that includes electronic submission of all construction documentation by all stakeholders, electronic document routing/approvals (e-signature), and digital management of all construction documentation in a secure environment allowing distribution to all project stakeholders through mobile devices.
  • The Delaware Department of Transportation is accomplishing this by first focusing on the electronic recording of Inspector Daily Reports and electronic submittal of documents using the Primavera Unifier software. Unifier will eventually be used to facilitate the electronic administration of all aspects of construction documentation from cradle to grave as well as the electronic submittal of contractor payments. In addition, we are moving towards adding 3D Modeling to our design process with more information on that process being added to this webpage as those processes are defined.
  • The information below explains the different software applications that the Department is using to facilitate the eConstruction effort. Any questions on this can be directed to the Project Controls Coordinator, at Billy.Sweeney@Delaware.gov.

Section F2.00 - Software

F2.01 - Oracle Primavera P6 EPPM

  • What is it?
    • Primavera P6 EPPM is a web-based enterprise project portfolio management software owned by Oracle, Inc. Click this link for more information from Oracle.
  • How is it used?
    • The Delaware Department of Transportation is using P6 EPPM as our project scheduling tool and to assist in the development and performance tracking of our 6-year Capital Transportation Plan. It is also used for the review of contractor CPM schedules during the construction phase.
    • Future use includes providing access to Contractor's that are required to submit a CPM schedule as part of the Contract requirements. This CPM Specification will eventually be changed to require contractor's or their consultants to create and maintain their CPM schedule in DelDOT's P6 environment.
    • Currently using version 19.12.
  • How do you access it?
    • P6 is accessed by going to https://P6.DelDOT.gov
    • Access to P6 is currently only granted to DelDOT employees or consultants of DelDOT with an expected role of updating the schedule of a project or program at DelDOT.
    • For more information, send an email to Billy Sweeney, Project Controls Coordinator, at Billy.Sweeney@Delaware.gov.

F2.02 - Oracle Primavera Unifier

  • What is it?
    • Primavera Unifier is a web-based project lifecycle management application owned by Oracle, Inc. Click on this link for more information from Oracle.
  • How is it used?
    • As the framework for our eConstruction effort.
    • All capital construction projects administered by the Department of Transportation Solutions with an NTP after April 10th 2017 will use Unifier for entering, tracking and approving Inspector Daily Reports.
    • Future phases of the Unifier Implementation to be completed by the end of Calendar Year 2017 include the tracking and approval of all Construction Document Management (RFI's, submittals, subcontractor approvals, etc…) and Construction Cost Management (estimate creation, approval, and transferring of payment requests to the FACTS application).
    • Further plans to incorporate the advertising and awarding of contracts, capital budget planning, project/program audit and closeout, and additional DBE tracking efforts are all being considered as well.
    • Currently using version 20.12.
  • How do you access it?
    • Unifier is accessed by going to https://Unifier.DelDOT.gov using any browser on any device with an internet connection.
    • From Apple IOS devices (iPhone or iPad), Oracle has developed a Primavera Unifier app. More information on this app can be access by click on this link.
    • Access to Unifier is currently only granted to DelDOT employees, consultants of DelDOT with a role in our eConstruction effort, or other partners deemed necessary to the administration of DelDOT projects.
    • For more information, send an email to Billy Sweeney, Project Controls Coordinator, at Billy.Sweeney@Delaware.gov.

F2.03 - ADA Compliance Inspection Application (ACIA)

  • What is it?
    • ACIA is a web based application that is used for Compliance Tracking and Inventory of Pedestrian Access Routes (PAR) and facilities within our Public Rights of Way
    • ACIA is used to perform all ADA inspections
    • Part of the Inspection Framework and necessary for and ADA Acceptance Memo and overall project acceptance
  • Why are we doing this?
    • DelDOT performed and evaluation of our ADA infrastructure in 2011-22012 and included inventorying of facilities within DelDOT’s PAR
    • A Transition Plan was developed with the Federal Government to bring the facilities within our ROW into compliance, and to assure that all new or reconstructed facilities are in compliance with Federal Law
    • DelDOT is required to report to the FHWA annually our progress in implementing and improving ADA facilities on the Transition Plan
  • Other Benefits
    • In development is an interactive-automatically updating map that will be available to the public to assist the public with pedestrian route planning
    • Having up to date and accurate data regarding the status of pedestrian facilities will assist in scoping and development of future projects
  • How do you access it?

Section F3.00 - Unifier Documentation

F3.01 General User Documentation

General Documentation (Click to expand)
iOS / Android Mobile App Instructions (Click to expand)
  • Overview: The Oracle Unifier Mobile app is available for free download on most Apple or Android devices from either the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Simply search for Oracle Unifier and download it. While the mobile app is a more user friendly interface from a mobile device, there are a couple of things that should be mentioned:
    • The mobile app allows Unifier to be accessed while offline for those areas that do not get a cellular signal. Once a signal is received (or the device is connected to wifi, it can either be forced to sync, or will automatically sync the work done while offline).
    • Draft records are stored in the app on the device and not in the cloud or on the server. This means that any draft records made on the app are not accessible from a browser whether on the device, or a laptop/desktop. If you need to access a draft record from something other than the device you created it on, you must submit the record for review and ask that it be returned for revision.
      • IMPORTANT : This means that if your device is stolen, broken, or wiped due to a forgotten device passcode, those draft records will be lost forever. We HIGHLY SUGGEST that you submit the record at the end of the day, even if it is not complete and ask the person that is reviewing it to send it back to you. This is the only way to ensure that the records will not be lost forever.
    • Any process that has been made available to you can be accessed through the Unifier mobile app. However, reports or custom prints for the processes cannot currently be accessed. Those will still need to be accessed through the Unifier browser interface. However, the documents stored in the Document Manager are accessible through the mobile app, once a record is approved.
  • Logging in, Adding the IDR Process, Creating an IDR (2:41)

F3.02 Unifier Business Process (BP) Training info

Inspector Daily Report (IDR) Process (Click to expand)
Contacts (Click to expand)
  • OVERVIEW: The Contacts Business Process (BP) is considered a support BP and is used across multiple main BPs. For example, it is used in the Price Approval BP as a location to get the To: and From: information for the letter that it generates. Please refer to the Price Approval BP below for more information. The Contact BP is extremely simple to use and is a non-workflow BP, meaning there is only a single form to create the information, and no review is required. It also means that, in the event that something needs to be changed on a Contact record after it has been created, you only need to have the appropriate access to make the change. Reach out to the Unifier Administration team for more information on that.
    • Videos related to the Contacts BP will be uploaded in the very near future.
!!!NEW!!! First Chargeable Day (Click to expand)
  • OVERVIEW: The First Chargeable Day process is accessed through the Time Charge Notices Business Process (BP). This BP will generate the First Chargeable Day memo, on Department letterhead, with some built in language and will also identify the First Chargeable Day used for various processes throughout Unifier. While creating and reviewing the record, the user has the ability to identify additional language, should something out of the ordinary need to be added. A version of the base letter can be found by clicking this link: First Chargeable Day Memo
!!!NEW!!! Suspend and Resume Time Charges (Click to expand)
  • OVERVIEW: The Suspension and Resumption of Time Charges process is accessed through the Time Charge Notices Business Process (BP). This process is a 2 step process that is all accomplished using 1 Unifier record. This record will create both the Suspension and Resumption memos automatically and send them to the contractor by email. It will also save those memos in the Unifier Document Manager. The videos below are broken up into 2 sections. In addition, there is a video series that explains how the options you choose when creating the record affect how the memo is created. NOTE: As of the writing of this wiki entry, this BP is only creating the memos. However, there is intention to use this BP to not only create the memos, but it will also help us generate the exact time used during an estimate period, and also help with calculating the number of days passed in the Inspector Daily Report PDF.
  • Suspending Time Charges Process (Click to Expand)
    • OVERVIEW: To suspend time charges on a project, the user will click the Create button and choose Suspension and Resumption. This will start the process of suspending time. The user will send the record to the next step for review and once this has been completed, time will be stopped. The videos in this section give an overview of that process.
    • Time Charge Suspension Initiation (3:09)
    • Time Charge Suspension Review (1:30)
  • Resuming Time Charges Process (Click to Expand)
    • OVERVIEW: To resume time charges on a project, the user will use the record already created as part of the Suspension step. The user will send the record to the next step for review and once this has been completed, time will be resumed and the record will be closed. The videos in this section give an overview of that process.
    • Time Charge Resumption Initiation (1:38)
    • Time Charge Resumption Review (1:11)
  • How to Use the BP to Customize the Memo (Click to Expand)
    • OVERVIEW: The Suspension and Resumption BP will create both memos for you, like mentioned above. With this, there are different options that the use can choose that will modify the language that goes into the memo. Below are videos that explain the different options in the BP form and how they affect the memo that is generated.
    • <insert video explanation 1 here>
    • <insert video explanation 2 here>
    • <insert video explanation 3 here>
Price Approval Process (Click to expand)
Change Order Process (Click to expand)
Progress Estimate Process (Click to expand)
  • OVERVIEW: In Unifier, the Progress Estimate process is a two BP process. Pencil Estimate and Progress Estimate. First, a Pencil Estimate record must be initiated, reviewed, and acknowledged by the following roles: Project Resident, Contractor Project Manager, and Area Engineer. After the Pencil Estimate record is complete. The Area Engineer will continue the process by starting a Progress Estimate record. The Progress Estimate record must then be reviewed and acknowledged by the following roles: Area Engineer, Estimator, Contractor Project Manager, Group Engineer, and Assistant Director (Only if it is a Final Estimate). It is important that the Estimate Worksheet is accurate. The items and quantities on this report are an exact representation of what will be used in the Progress Estimate BP.
  • Step 1: Pencil Estimate Process (Click to Expand)
    • OVERVIEW: The Pencil Estimate process is used to create the draft version of the Estimate that the Project Resident creates and sends to the Contractor Representative for initial acknowledgment. Then, after the Contractor Representative reviews it, it is sent to the Area Engineer. All of these steps are fully contained within Unifier with automatic emails being sent to the person identified at each step. In addition, each step has the ability to send the record back to the Project Resident for a revision. See below for more information on the revision process.
    • Creating a Pencil Estimate Record (2:24)
    • Project Resident Pre-Review (2:17)
    • Contractor Review (2:04)
    • Area Engineer Review (2:06)
    • Additional Information: If it is determined that the Pencil Estimate needs to be corrected, the record should be sent to the revision step. This will send the record back to the responsibility of the Project Resident. At that point, based on the type of change that is required, a Price Approval, Change Order, and/or Quantity adjustment can be completed and approved by the appropriate people. Keep in mind that if a new item is needed, all 3 processes must be completed (Price Approval to add the item to the list of items, Quantity Adjustment or corrective IDR to record the quantity to be paid for that period, and Change Order to officially add the item to the Contract so that it can be paid on a Progress Estimate. Once that is done, there are 2 options:
      • 1. If you are sure that the appropriate adjustments were made, simply move the record to the Contractor Review step
      • 2. However, it is recommended that the Estimate Worksheet be verified first. Follow this video to manually run the Estimate Worksheet from the record: (Run Estimate Worksheet)
  • Step 2: Progress Estimate process (Click to expand)
    • OVERVIEW: The Progress Estimate process is used to create the official version of the Progress Estimate. This process is started by the Area Engineer then sent to the Estimator for further processing. At the Estimator step, the Estimator decides whether they want to automatically pull item quantities from the Approved Inspector Daily Reports (IDR) or manually enter the quantity of each item. In the case where the Estimator decides to pull from the Approved IDRs, the Estimator does get a chance to review the estimate prior to sending the record to the Contractor Rep. The Contractor Rep will acknowledge the estimate and the record will be sent to the Group Engineer for review and acknowledgment. Finally, once the Group Engineer reviews and acknowledges, if the Estimate is identified as a Final Estimate, it will go to the Assistant Director for final acknowledgment. If the estimate is identified as an Interim or Semi-Final Estimate, after the Group Engineer step, the record is sent to the Approved status and cannot be modified. At each step, an email is automatically sent from Unifier to the responsible person with a PDF version of the Estimate Header sheet and Worksheet(s). The format of this PDF and the information contained should be similar to what has been provided from other applications in the past.
    • Creating a Progress Estimate record (4:22)
    • Initial Estimator Review (2:29)
    • Final Estimator Review (2:19)
    • Contractor Review (2:57)
    • Group Engineer(PM2) / Assistant Director level (Final Estimate Only) Review (2:39)
    • Viewing/Printing the Progress Estimate PDF (1:37)
    • Miscellaneous Adjustments: At the Semi-Final or Final Estimate stage, it should be determined whether there was a rounding error on a change order by using the Adjust Balance to Current Payment Due? selector. This will enable the Miscellaneous Adjustment field and allow the Estimator to modify the current payment due field by that amount. The PDF located at this link will explain in more detail how to find and use this function in Unifier.
    • Additional Information: If it is determined that the Progress Estimate needs to be corrected, the record should be sent to the revision step. This will send the record back to the responsibility of the Area Engineer. At that point, based on the type of change that is required, a Price Approval, Change Order, and/or Quantity adjustment can be completed. Keep in mind that if a new item is needed, all 3 processes must be completed (Price Approval to add the item to the list of items, Quantity Adjustment to record the quantity to be paid for that period and Change Order to officially add the item to the Contract so that it can be paid on a Progress Estimate. Once that is done, there are 2 options:
      • 1. If you are sure that the appropriate adjustments were made, simply move the record to the Contractor Review step
      • 2. However, it is recommended that the Estimate Worksheet be verified first. Follow this video to manually run the Estimate Worksheet from the record: (Run Estimate Worksheet)
    • Note about Change Orders: As of the writing of this guide in August 2020, the current version of Unifier (V19.x) does not allow a Change Order with a negative quantity to be processed while a Progress Estimate is in-flight. In the event that this is needed, the Estimator or Company Administrator will need to terminate the Progress Estimate record so that the Change Order can be processed.
Submittals (Click to expand)
  • OVERVIEW: The Submittals Business Process (BP) will be used by the Prime Contractor's Project Manager to send the different submittal types to the Department for review. It facilitates the review by the DelDOT Area Engineer and Subject Matter Experts (SME) and is used to provide a response back to the contractor. All information uploaded to this BP is saved in the Unifier Document Manager as well.

    On larger projects it may be necessary to implement a naming convention for submittals to aid in quick identification. Below is the recommended convention:

    Submittal Naming Convention jpeg.jpg




    This is only a suggested naming convention. While some projects may need to alter this convention to fit the project type and needs, it is important to maintain the integrity of the naming convention within the project.






Request for Information (Click to expand)

F3.03 Electronic Material Tickets

Hot-Mix E-Ticketing (Click to expand)

Section F4.00 - ADA Compliance Inspection Application (ACIA) Documentation

F4.01 General User Documentation

General Documentation (Click to expand)