Abstract:
A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and an electronic bidding server that obtains a selection of a template associated with a project from a first user, wherein the template includes at least a plurality of static and dynamic documents. Drawing(s), specification(s), and content associated with the project is received from a second user. Input field(s) of the one or more dynamic documents are populated with the content received from the second user. The specification(s), drawing(s), and static and dynamic documents are provided to a bidding platform configured to receive bids from bidders for completing the project. Subsequent to receiving and approving the bidder, a project administrator user approves automatic extraction of the data input, including the plurality of dynamic and static documents from all phases of the process to generate a compliant and correct contract for the project.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    This technology generally relates to methods and devices that facilitate the preparation of bid documents and, more particularly, to facilitating, with a web-based platform hosted by an electronic bidding server, the preparation of construction bid documents using templates, the submission of a project for electronic bidding, and the automatic preparation of a contract based on an accepted bid. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Construction projects are often solicited by awarding authorities to general contractors and subcontractors (also referred to herein as bidders) who are authorized to submit bids for completing the work associated with the project. Currently, the bidding process is facilitated based on paper or hard copy submissions of bid documents and therefore requires a significant amount of resources to prepare, review, revise, validate, and communicate among parties. Due to the manual nature of the hard copy submissions, the construction bid documents are often redundant, contradictory, extraneous, error prone and/or irrelevant, which is undesirable. 
         [0003]    The current process also does not provide for designers, consultants, and/or reviewers to easily create, view and/or modify construction bid documents prior to the documents being submitted for bidding. Accordingly, awarding authority representatives, such as project administrators, often prepare, review, and/or confirm a subset of the documents even though not best-suited to perform such task(s). 
         [0004]    Construction documents submitted for bidding, including contract documents associated with a project, are often subject to statutory requirements, particularly when the project is public and/or associated with a state or local government agency, for example. Because these construction bid documents are currently prepared manually, they often fail to comply with the statutory requirements and/or include incomplete or inaccurate content which, in some cases, is fatal to the successful bidding of the project and/or successful execution of a contract between an awarding authority and a contractor that submitted an accepted bid. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    A method for facilitating the preparation of construction bid documents includes obtaining, with an electronic bidding server, a selection of a template associated with a project from a first user, wherein the template includes at least a plurality of static and dynamic documents and the first user is authenticated as an administrator of the project. One or more drawings, one or more specifications, and content associated with the project is received, with the electronic bidding server, from a second user, wherein the second user is identified by the first user as a prime designer associated with the project. One or more input fields of the one or more dynamic documents are populated, with the electronic bidding server, with the content received from the second user. The one or more specifications, one or more drawings, and static and dynamic documents are provided, with the electronic bidding server, to a bidding platform configured to receive bids from one or more bidders for completing the project. 
         [0006]    A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions for facilitating the preparation of construction bid documents comprising machine executable code which when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform steps including obtaining a selection of a template associated with a project from a first user, wherein the template includes at least a plurality of static and dynamic documents and the first user is authenticated as an administrator of the project. One or more drawings, one or more specifications, and content associated with the project is received from a second user, wherein the second user is identified by the first user as a prime designer associated with the project. One or more input fields of the one or more dynamic documents are populated with the content received from the second user. The one or more specifications, one or more drawings, and static and dynamic documents are provided to a bidding platform configured to receive bids from one or more bidders for completing the project. 
         [0007]    An electronic bidding server includes a processor coupled to a memory and configured to execute programmed instructions stored in the memory including obtaining a selection of a template associated with a project from a first user, wherein the template includes at least a plurality of static and dynamic documents and the first user is authenticated as an administrator of the project. One or more drawings, one or more specifications, and content associated with the project is received from a second user, wherein the second user is identified by the first user as a prime designer associated with the project. One or more input fields of the one or more dynamic documents are populated with the content received from the second user. The one or more specifications, one or more drawings, and static and dynamic documents are provided to a bidding platform configured to receive bids from one or more bidders for completing the project. 
         [0008]    This technology provides a number of advantages including methods, non-transitory computer readable medium, and an electronic bidding server that facilitates the efficient preparation of construction bid documents with increased accuracy and compliance with statutory requirements. With this technology, a web-based platform is provided for users to submit specifications, drawings, and other content associated with the project using a template. The web-based platform facilitates preparation of the project documents, based on the user submissions and static and dynamic documents associated with the template, submission of the project for bidding, and generation of a contract with a successful bidder. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an exemplary network environment which incorporates client computing devices coupled to an exemplary electronic bidding server; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart of an exemplary method for preparing construction bid documents; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is an exemplary active projects web page for obtaining project information from a project administrator; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is an exemplary project details web page for obtaining project information and an indication of a prime designer; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a an exemplary front end web page for obtaining content associated with a project; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is an exemplary specification web page for obtaining specifications associated with a project; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is an exemplary drawings web page for obtaining drawings associated with a project; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is an exemplary project details web page with a modify consultants overlay for obtaining identifying information associated with one or more consultants associated with a project; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is an exemplary specification web page for obtaining specifications associated with a project as accessed by a mechanical consultant; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is an exemplary table of contents identifying construction bid documents associated with a project; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is an exemplary design submission log web page including a create submission overlay for submitting a project for bidding; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is an exemplary electronic bidding web page for facilitating receipt of bids associated with a project. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    An exemplary environment  10  with client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) coupled to an electronic bidding server  14  by a communication network  16  is illustrated in  FIG. 1 , although this environment  10  can include other numbers and types of systems, devices, components, and elements in other configurations, such as multiple numbers of electronic bidding servers and communication networks. While not shown, the environment  10  also may include additional network components, such as routers, switches and other devices, which are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art and thus will not be described here. This technology provides a number of advantages including methods, non-transitory computer readable medium, and an electronic bidding server that prepares construction bid documents with increased efficiency, accuracy, and compliance with statutory requirements as well as facilitates electronic bidding of the project and preparation of a contract between an awarding authority and a successful bidder. 
         [0022]    The client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) each include a central processing unit (CPU)  18 ( 1 )- 18 ( n ) including one or more processors, a memory  20 ( 1 )- 20 ( n ), a network interface  22 ( 1 )- 22 ( n ), and an input and display device interface  24 ( 1 )- 24 ( n ), which are coupled together by a bus  26 ( 1 )- 26 ( n ) or other link, although other numbers and types of systems, devices, components, and elements in other configurations and locations can be used. 
         [0023]    The CPU  18 ( 1 )- 18 ( n ) in each of the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) executes a program of stored instructions for one or more aspects of the present technology as described and illustrated by way of the examples herein, although other types and numbers of processing devices and configurable hardware logic could be used and the processor could execute other numbers and types of programmed instructions. 
         [0024]    The memory  20 ( 1 )- 20 ( n ) in each of the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) stores these programmed instructions for one or more aspects of the present technology, as described and illustrated herein, although some or all of the programmed instructions could be stored and/or executed elsewhere. The memory  20 ( 1 )- 20 ( n ) in the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) optionally stores programmed instructions for a Web browser for communicating with the network interface  22 ( 1 )- 22 ( n ) to operatively exchange content with the electronic bidding server  14 . A variety of different types of memory storage devices, such as a random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM) in the system or a floppy disk, hard disk, CD ROM, DVD ROM, or other computer readable medium which is read from and written to by a magnetic, optical, or other reading and writing system that is coupled to the CPU  18 ( 1 )- 18 ( n ), can be used for the memory  20 ( 1 )- 20 ( n ). 
         [0025]    The network interface  22 ( 1 )- 22 ( n ) in each of the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) is used to operatively couple and communicate between the client computing device  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) and the electronic bidding server  14  via the communications network  16 , although other types and numbers of communication networks or systems with other types and numbers of connections and configurations can be used. By way of example only, the communications network could use TCP/IP over Ethernet and industry-standard protocols, including NFS, CIFS, SOAP, XML, LDAP, and SNMP, although other types and numbers of communication networks, such as a direct connection, a local area network, a wide area network, modems and phone lines, e-mail, and wireless communication technology, each having their own communications protocols, can be used. 
         [0026]    The input and display device interface  24 ( 1 )- 24 ( n ) in each of the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) is used to enable a user to interact with the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ), such as to input and/or view data and/or to configure, program and/or operate the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) by way of example only. Input devices may include a keyboard, computer mouse, and/or touchscreen and display devices may include a computer monitor, although other types and numbers of input devices and display devices could be used. 
         [0027]    The electronic bidding server  14  includes a central processing unit (CPU)  28  including one or more processors, a memory  30 , and a network interface  32 , which are coupled together by a bus  34  or other link, although other numbers and types of systems, devices, components, and elements in other configurations and locations can be used. The CPU  28  in the electronic bidding server  14  executes a program of stored instructions for one or more aspects of the present technology as described and illustrated by way of the examples herein, although other types and numbers of processing devices and configurable hardware logic could be used and the CPU  28  could execute other numbers and types of programmed instructions. 
         [0028]    The memory  30  in the electronic bidding server  14  stores these programmed instructions for one or more aspects of the present technology as described and illustrated herein, although some or all of the programmed instructions could be stored and executed elsewhere. A variety of different types of memory storage devices, such as a random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM) in the system or a floppy disk, hard disk, CD ROM, DVD ROM, or other computer readable medium which is read from and written to by a magnetic, optical, or other reading and writing system that is coupled to the CPU  28 , can be used for the memory  30 . 
         [0029]    The network interface  32  in the electronic bidding server  14  is used to operatively couple and communicate between the electronic bidding server  14  and the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) via the communications network  16 , although other types and numbers of communication networks or systems with other types and numbers of connections and configurations can be used. 
         [0030]    Although examples of the electronic bidding server  14  and the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) which are coupled together via the communication network  16  are described herein, each of these systems can be implemented on any suitable computer system or computing device. It is to be understood that the devices and systems of the examples described herein are for exemplary purposes, as many variations of the specific hardware and software used to implement the examples are possible, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art(s). 
         [0031]    Furthermore, each of the systems of the examples may be conveniently implemented using one or more general purpose computer systems, microprocessors, digital signal processors, and micro-controllers, programmed according to the teachings of the examples, as described and illustrated herein, and as will be appreciated by those ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0032]    In addition, two or more computing systems or devices can be substituted for any one of the systems in any embodiment of the examples. Accordingly, principles and advantages of distributed processing, such as redundancy and replication also can be implemented, as desired, to increase the robustness and performance of the devices and systems of the examples. The examples may also be implemented on computer device(s) that extend across any suitable network using any suitable interface mechanisms and communications technologies, including by way of example only telecommunications in any suitable form (e.g., voice and modem), wireless communications media, wireless communications networks, cellular communications networks, G3 communications networks, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTNs), Packet Data Networks (PDNs), the Internet, intranets, and combinations thereof. 
         [0033]    The examples may also be embodied as a non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon for one or more aspects of the present technology as described and illustrated by way of the examples herein, as described herein, which when executed by a processor, cause the processor to carry out the steps necessary to implement the methods of the examples, as described and illustrated herein. 
         [0034]    Exemplary methods and devices for preparing construction bid documents will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1-11 . Referring specifically to  FIG. 2 , in step  200 , the electronic bidding server  14  receives a selection of a template and project information from an authorized or registered project administrator user of one of the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ). The project administrator user can be a representative of an awarding authority associated with the project, for example. 
         [0035]    In this example, the project administer role of the user of the one of the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) can be determined by the electronic bidding server  14  based on login credentials submitted by the user matching login credentials previously submitted by the user during a registration process and stored in the memory  30  as associated with the project administrator role. In other examples, and particularly in examples in which users can have multiple roles for different projects, the electronic bidding server  14  can identify all roles associated with a user upon receiving login credentials and obtain a selection of the project administrator role from the user which is used for the current session. 
         [0036]    Upon determining the user of the one of the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) is associated with the project administrator role, in this example, the electronic bidding server  14  can send to the one of the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) an active projects web page  300 , an example of which is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The active projects web page  300  includes a create project button  302  which, when selected by the user, causes the add new project overlay  304  to be displayed on the one of the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ). The content of the add new project overlay  304  can also be displayed to the user in a new tab, a new window, or any other type of display. The add new project overlay  304  in this example includes an input field  306  which allows the user to select a template (e.g., the “DHCS $25-100K Front End” template in this example). Other input fields  308  allowing the project administrator user to input other project information can also be provided in the add new project overlay  304 . 
         [0037]    The template(s) indicated in the input field  306  can be stored in the memory  30  of the electronic bidding server  14  and can include at least a plurality of static and dynamic documents. In some examples, the templates further include an indication of the input fields of the dynamic documents that are required and, optionally, required attributes of the required input fields. Other requirements of a complete project submission, such as other required documents to be provided by a user, and not included in the static and dynamic documents of the template, can also be indicated in each of the templates. 
         [0038]    Upon selecting the template and entering other project information, the user can select the save button  310  of the add new project overlay  304  to send the information to the electronic bidding server  14  for storage in the memory  30  as associated with a unique identifier for the new project (e.g., a unique project and/or order number). In this example, the active projects web page  300  also includes a listing of active projects  312  providing links to projects previously created by the project administrator user in the event the user is editing a previously created project rather than creating a new project in the current session. 
         [0039]    Referring back to  FIG. 2 , in step  202 , the electronic bidding server  14  generates static and dynamic documents for the newly created project based on the template selected in step  200 . The documents can be those required by statute for any project associated with the template, for example, although other documents can also be associated with the template. In some examples, the static documents are standard documents that are required for all projects associated with the template and which do not include any project-specific information. In contrast, the dynamic documents can be documents required for all projects associated with the template but which have input fields requiring project-specific information. Optionally, the generated static and dynamic documents are stored in the memory  30  of the electronic bidding server  14  as associated with the unique identifier for the project. 
         [0040]    In step  204 , the electronic bidding server  14  receives drawings, specifications, and content associated with the project from a user of one of the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ). In this example, the electronic bidding server  14  can send a project details web page  400  to the one of the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) associated with the project administrator user, an example of which is illustrated in  FIG. 4 , subsequent to the user selecting the save button  310  of the add new project overlay  304 . The project details web page  400  in this example includes at least some of the project information received by the electronic bidding server  14  in step  200  in a project information pane  402 . The project administrator user can edit the project information using a first edit button  404  of the project information pane  402 . 
         [0041]    Additionally, in the project information pane  402  in this example, the project administrator user can select a prime designer using a second edit button  406  of the project information pane  402 . Upon selection of the second edit button  406 , a prime designer information pane  408  is displayed to the user as an overlay, although the content of the prime designer information pane  408  can be displayed in a new tab, a new window, or any other type of display. The prime designer information pane  408  includes an input field  410  configured to receive an e-mail address of a prime designer to be designated by the project administrator user as associated with the project. 
         [0042]    Optionally, the prime designer information pane  408  further includes input field(s) for indicating a more specific role of the prime designer (e.g., an architect or an engineer). In some examples, the prime designer is relatively better suited, as compared to the project administrator, to prepare, review, and/or submit content, specifications, and/or drawings associated with the project. In these examples, the project administrator user can be restricted, based on privileges associated with the project administrator role, from submitting or modifying such content, specifications, and/or drawings. Similarly, the prime designer user may be restricted from submitting or modifying the project information submitted by the project administrator user in step  200 . Such role-based access of the web-based platform is described and illustrated in more detail below. 
         [0043]    Upon selection by the project administrator user of the save button  412  of the prime designer information pane  408  in this example, an e-mail is automatically sent by the electronic bidding server  14  to the e-mail address inserted into the input field  410  and associated with the prime designer. Optionally, the e-mail automatically sent by the electronic bidding server  14  includes a link and/or instructions that the prime designer recipient can use to register and/or login to the web-based platform in order to access the project. 
         [0044]    Upon receiving login credentials from a user of one of the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) that is associated in the memory  30  with a prime designer role, the electronic bidding server  14  can send the one of the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) associated with the prime designer user an active projects page, such as the active projects page  300 , for example. In this example, the active projects page  300  includes a link to the project created by the project administrator user in step  200 . Upon receiving a selection of the link by the prime designer user, the electronic bidding server  14  can send to the one of the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) associated with the prime designer user a project details page, such as the project details web page  400 , for example. However, in some examples, the project details web page  400  sent to the prime designer user does not include any edit buttons, such as the edit buttons  404  and  406 , for example. In these examples, only the project administrator can edit the project information associated with the project details web page  400 . 
         [0045]    In this example, the project details web page  400  includes a plurality of tabs  414  which allow certain users to view, submit, and/or modify specifications, drawings, and/or content associated with a project. For example, the electronic bidding server  14  sends the prime designer user of one of the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) a front end web page  500  upon receiving a selection by the user of the front end tab  502 . 
         [0046]    In this example, the front end web page  500  includes a plurality of panes that are expandable and collapsible upon selection by a user. For example, the advertisement and bid information pane  504  is configured to expand when selected to display content associated with the project as well as an edit button  506 . In some examples, the front end web page  500  sent to the project administrator user does not include any edit buttons, such as the edit button  506 , for example. In these examples, only the prime designer user can edit the content associated with the front end web page  500 . Although panes are used in this example, the content associated with the project can be displayed in other ways. 
         [0047]    Upon selection of the edit button  506 , an advertisement and bid information overlay  508  can be displayed on the one of the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) associated with the prime designer user. The advertisement and bid information overlay  508  includes a plurality of input fields configured to receive content associated with the project. The input fields can be determined based the template selected in step  200 . For example, the input fields included in each of the panes can collectively correspond to the input fields in the dynamic documents associated with the template, as described and illustrated in more detail later with reference to step  206 . 
         [0048]    Upon selection by the prime designer user of a save button  510  included in the advertisement and bid information overlay  508 , the content of the input fields is sent to the electronic bidding server  14 . The electronic bidding server  14  can store the received content in the memory  30  as associated with the project. The front end web page  500  can include other panes having edit buttons and corresponding overlays with input fields. Additionally, other methods of submitting and/or editing content associated with a project can also be used. 
         [0049]    In this example, the electronic bidding server  14  sends the prime designer user of one of the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) a specification web page  600  upon receiving a selection by the user of the specification tab  602 . The specification web page  600  includes a plurality of panes that are expandable and collapsible upon selection by a user. The front end pane  604  in this example is configured to expand when selected to display documents associated with the project, including an indication of procurement documents and contracting forms in this example. The documents each correspond to one of the static or dynamic documents generated in step  202  and associated with the template selected in step  200 . Although panes are used in this example, an indication of the documents and specifications associated with the project can be displayed in other ways. 
         [0050]    In this example, the documents identified in the front end pane  604  cannot be edited by the prime designer user and, accordingly, each is associated with one of the view document links  606 . Upon selection of one of the view document links  606 , the electronic bidding server  14  sends an associated one of the static or dynamic documents to the one of the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) associated with the prime designer user. In this example, the concrete pane  608  is configured to expand when selected by the prime designer user to display an indication of specification(s) associated with the project. 
         [0051]    The concrete pane  608  further includes a plurality of links including an add section link  610  and links configured to modify or delete the specification, as well as view the specification. Accordingly, the prime designer user&#39;s privileges allow for modification and/or submission of specifications associated with the concrete pane  608 , in contract to those documents associated with the front end pane  604 . Upon selection of the add section link  610 , a section setup overlay  612  is displayed on the one of the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) associated with the prime designer user. 
         [0052]    The section setup overlay  612  includes input fields  614  for naming and uploading specifications. Upon inserting a location of a specification on the one of the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) associated with the prime designer user and selecting the save button  616 , the specification is sent to the electronic bidding server  14  and stored in the memory  30  as associated with the project. The plurality of links in the concrete pane  608  can include links to view, modify, or delete specifications previously submitted. In some examples, the concrete pane  608  sent to a project administrator user includes only a view link. In these examples, only the prime designer user can edit or submit the specifications associated with the project. The specifications web page  600  can include other panes having various links and corresponding overlays with input fields configured to facilitate receipt of specifications by the electronic bidding server  14 . Additionally, other methods of submitting and/or editing specifications associated with a project can also be used. 
         [0053]    In this example, the electronic bidding server  14  sends the prime designer user of one of the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) a drawings web page  700  upon receiving a selection by the user of the drawings tab  702 . The drawings web page  700  includes a plurality of panes that are expandable and collapsible upon selection by a user. Although panes are used in this example, an indication of the drawings associated with the project can be displayed in other ways. The civil pane  704  in this example is configured to expand when selected to display drawings associated with the project. The civil pane  704  further includes a plurality of links including an add drawing link  706 . Upon selection of the add drawing link  706 , a drawing setup overlay  708  is displayed on the one of the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) associated with the prime designer user. 
         [0054]    The drawing setup overlay  708  includes input fields  710  for naming and uploading drawings. Upon inserting a location of a drawing on the one of the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) associated with the prime designer user, and selecting the save button  712 , the drawing is sent to the electronic bidding server  14  and stored in the memory  30  as associated with the project. The plurality of links in the civil pane  704  can include links to view, modify, or delete drawings previously uploaded. In some examples, the civil pane  704  sent to a project administrator user only includes a view link. In these examples, only the prime designer user can edit or upload the drawings associated with the project. The drawings web page  700  can include other panes having various links and corresponding overlays with input fields configured to facilitate receipt of drawings by the electronic bidding server  14 . Additionally, other methods of submitting and/or editing drawings associated with a project can also be used. 
         [0055]    Accordingly, the electronic bidding server  14  can selectively send to a prime designer user of one of the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) the front end web page  500 , specification web page  600 , and drawings web page  700 , which are configured to receive content, specifications, and drawings, respectively, from the user which are stored by the electronic bidding server  14  in the memory  30  as associated with the project. While the prime design user in this example can submit, modify, and delete content, specifications, and drawings, the project administrator can only view the content, specifications, and drawings obtained from the prime designer, although other role-based access privileges can also be used 
         [0056]    In some examples, consultants designated by the prime designer can also submit, modify, and/or delete content, specifications, and/or drawings. Referring to  FIG. 8 , the project details web page  500  is shown as including a design team pane  800  including identifying information for prime designer team members and consultants and an edit button  802 . Upon selecting the edit button  802 , a modify consultants overlay  804  is displayed to a prime designer user of one of the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ). The content of the modify consultants overlay  804  can also be displayed in a new tab, a new window, or any other display. The modify consultants overlay  804  includes a plurality of input fields  806  configured to receive at least an e-mail address of a consultant and a discipline or title associated with the consultant (e.g., a mechanical engineer). 
         [0057]    Upon selection of the save button  808  of the modify consultants overlay  804  by the prime designer user, the consultant information is obtained by the electronic bidding server  14  and stored in the memory  30  as associated with the project. Additionally, the electronic bidding server  14  automatically sends an e-mail to the e-mail address input by the prime designer user and associated with the consultant. The e-mail optionally includes a link and/or instructions that the consultant can use to register and/or login to the web-based platform in order to access the project. 
         [0058]    Upon receiving login credentials from a user of one of the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) that is associated in the memory  30  with a consultant role, the electronic bidding server  14  can send the one of the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) associated with the consultant user an active projects page, such as the active projects page  300  shown in  FIG. 3 , for example. After selecting a project, the electronic bidding sever  14  sends the project details web page  400  to the consultant user of one of the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ). The project details web page  400  includes a plurality of tabs  414  as described and illustrated earlier. 
         [0059]    In this example, upon selection of the specification tab  602  by the consultant user, the electronic bidding server  14  sends the specification web page  600  including a plurality of panes that are expandable and collapsible upon selection by a user. In this example, the plurality of panes includes the front end pane  604  described and illustrated earlier, a mechanical pane  900 , and an electrical pane  902 , among others. The mechanical pane  900  is configured to expand when selected by the consultant user to display specifications associated with the project as well as a set of links  904  including view, modify, and delete links. Because the prime designer user has indicated the consultant is a mechanical engineer in this example, the consultant user has the option of modifying or deleting, in addition to viewing, the specifications indicated in the mechanical pane  900 . 
         [0060]    Upon selecting the modify link  906 , a section setup overlay  612  is displayed including input fields  614  for naming and uploading specifications, as described and illustrated earlier. In contrast, the electrical pane  902  includes an indication of specifications along with view links  908  only since the consultant user does not have privileges to modify or delete electrical specifications based on the discipline or title associated with the consultant user by the prime designer user. Similar role-based access privileges can be implemented on other panes and with respect to other web pages of the web-based platform, such as the front end web page  500  and drawings web page  700 , for example. In other examples, various other roles and/or role-based access privileges can be established and maintained by the electronic bidding server  14  such as a reviewer role having privileges restricted to viewing content, specifications, and/or drawings associated with a project 
         [0061]    Referring back to  FIG. 2 , in step  206 , the electronic bidding server  14  populates the dynamic documents generated in step  202  with content received in step  204  and generates a table of contents. The content used by the electronic bidding server  14  to populate the dynamic documents can be submitted by the prime designer user of one of the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) interacting with the front end web page  500 , for example. Optionally, at least a portion of the project information submitted by the project administrator user in step  200  can also be used to populate one or more of the dynamic documents. 
         [0062]    A first page  1000  of an exemplary table of contents generated in step  206  is illustrated in  FIG. 10 . In this example, each page of the table of contents includes a header automatically generated by the electronic bidding server  14 . In this example, the header includes project information submitted by the project administrator user in step  200  and a date, although other information can be automatically inserted into the header or other portions of the table of contents by the electronic bidding server  14 . The table of contents is generated based on the static and dynamic documents associated with the template as well as specifications and drawings submitted by the prime designer and/or consultant user(s) of the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) in step  204 . The drawings can be identified separately in the table of contents  1000  or as part of a drawing list that is also automatically generated by the electronic bidding server  14 , for example. 
         [0063]    Referring back to  FIG. 2 , in step  208 , the electronic bidding server  14  receives a request from a prime designer user to submit the project for bidding. Upon selection of a design submission log tab  1100  of the plurality of tabs  414  by a prime designer user of one of the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ), the electronic bidding server  14  sends a design submission web page  1102  to the one of the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ). The design submission web page  1102  in this example includes an indication  1104  of project(s) associated with the prime designer user that are currently in progress and a send to bidding button  1106 . Upon selection of the send to bidding button  1106  by the prime designer user, a create submission overlay  1108  is displayed on the one of the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) associated with the prime designer user. The content of the create submission overlay  1108  can also be displayed to the user in a new tab, a new window, or any other type of display. 
         [0064]    In this example, the create submission overlay  1108  includes a first plurality of input fields  1110  configured to receive parameter(s) (e.g., dates) to be used by the electronic bidding server  14  to make the project available for bidding. Optionally, the create submission  1108  overlay further includes a second plurality of input fields  1112  configured to receive other files not previously uploaded by a user associated with the project or received by the electronic bidding server  14  in step  204 . Upon selection by the prime designer user of the save button  1114  of the create submission overlay  1108 , a request is sent to the electronic bidding server  14 . The request can include the content (e.g., parameters and/or files) inserted into the input fields of the create submission overlay  1108 , which can be stored by the electronic bidding server  14  in the memory  30  as associated with the project. 
         [0065]    Referring back to  FIG. 2 , in step  210 , the electronic bidding server  14  determines whether the created submission is valid. In order to determine the validity of the submission, the electronic bidding server  14  determines whether or validates that the required input fields of the dynamic documents, as indicated in the template associated with the project, have been populated in step  206 . Optionally, populated content is also analyzed to determine whether it satisfies required attributes of the input fields, as also indicated in the template. 
         [0066]    In other examples, the validation of the dynamic documents can occur subsequent to populating the dynamic documents in step  208 . Additionally, the validation of the content with respect to the required attributes can occur subsequent to submission by a user associated with the project interacting with the front end web page  500 , for example. Also optionally, the electronic bidding server  14  can determine whether all required specifications, drawings, and/or other documents have received in step  204 , as indicated in the template. 
         [0067]    If the electronic bidding server  14  determines that the submission is not validated, then the No branch is taken to step  204  and additional and/or valid content, specifications, and/or drawings are submitted by user(s) associated with the project and received by the electronic bidding server  14 , as described and illustrated earlier. Optionally, the electronic bidding server  14  can send a web page indicating the identified deficiencies to the one of the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ) associated with the prime designer user. If the electronic bidding server  14  determines that the submission is validated, then the Yes branch is taken to step  212 . 
         [0068]    In step  212 , the electronic bidding server  14  provides the submission including the drawings, specifications, and static and dynamic documents associated with the project to an electronic bidding platform. Optionally, the electronic bidding server  14  can provide the submission to the electronic bidding platform when the parameters received upon submission of the content inserted into the input fields  1110  of the create submission overlay  1108  are satisfied. 
         [0069]    In step  214 , the electronic bidding server  14  receives bids, such as bids from general contractors desiring to perform the construction work associated with the project. An exemplary electronic bidding web page  1200  of an electronic bidding platform for facilitating receipt of bids associated with a project is illustrated in  FIG. 12 . In this example, the electronic bidding web page  1200  includes a set of tabs  1202  that include links to the bid documents associated with the project and stored in the memory  30  of the electronic bidding server  14 . 
         [0070]    Additionally, the electronic bidding web page  1200  includes a submit eBid button  1204  that, when selected by an authorized user, is configured to retrieve a web page of the electronic bidding platform stored by the electronic bidding server  14  having input fields for receiving bids. Users can be authorized as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/590,425, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, although other methods of authorizing and/or receiving bids can also be used. The bids received can be stored in the memory  30  of the electronic bidding server  14  as associated with the project and the user that submitted the bid. 
         [0071]    Referring back to  FIG. 2 , in step  216 , the electronic bidding server  14  receives an indication of an accepted one of the bids received in step  214 . Accordingly, the electronic bidding server  14  can be configured to send the bids received in step  214 , at the conclusion of a specific time period, to a user of one of the client computing devices  12 ( 1 )- 12 ( n ), such as the project administrator user, and receive an indication of an acceptance of one of the bids from the user. 
         [0072]    In step  218 , the electronic bidding server generates a contract based on the accepted bid and the user associated with the accepted bid. In some examples, dynamic document(s) associated with the project are used to generate the contract, such as the documents indicated in the contracting forms section of the front end pane  604 , for example. In these examples, input fields of the dynamic documents can be populated according to the accepted bid and identifying information associated with the user that submitted the accepted bid. 
         [0073]    In step  220 , the electronic bidding server  14  stores the specifications, drawings, static and dynamic documents, and contract generated in step  218  in the memory  30  as associated with the project. Optionally, the archived documents can be stored for a specified period of time during which they are accessible to users having sufficient access privileges through the web-based platform. 
         [0074]    By this technology, construction project document can be prepared automatically using a web-based platform that guides compliance with a template. The template can include requirements for static and dynamic documents and the content to be included in the dynamic documents. Users of the web-based platform are assigned privileges according to roles and the documents and contents submitted on behalf of an awarding authority by the users are validated and submitted for electronic bidding. Accordingly, with this technology, compliance with statutes or other regulations and accuracy of bid documents associated with construction projects is increased. 
         [0075]    Having thus described the basic concept of the invention, it will be rather apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing detailed disclosure is intended to be presented by way of example only, and is not limiting. Various alterations, improvements, and modifications will occur and are intended to those skilled in the art, though not expressly stated herein. These alterations, improvements, and modifications are intended to be suggested hereby, and are within the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the recited order of processing elements or sequences, or the use of numbers, letters, or other designations therefore, is not intended to limit the claimed processes to any order except as may be specified in the claims. Accordingly, the invention is limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereto.