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BurnsD: /* Construction Technology News */

2026-09-30T15:38:42Z

Construction Technology News

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2026-09-24T13:06:34Z

Construction Technology News

BurnsD: /* Construction Technology News */

2026-08-31T20:02:33Z

Construction Technology News

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2026-08-28T14:54:29Z

July 29, 2026

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2026-07-29T18:06:51Z

June 22, 2026

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2026-06-22T14:38:26Z

May 21, 2026

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2026-05-21T18:03:07Z

April 24, 2026

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March 20, 2026

BurnsD: /* Construction Technology News */

2026-03-20T12:46:07Z

Construction Technology News

BurnsD: /* February 20, 2026 */

2026-03-10T14:27:43Z

February 20, 2026

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:38, 30 September 2026
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	==Construction Technology News==		==Construction Technology News==
		+
		+	====September 30, 2026====
		+
		+	In light of the AASHTOWare connectivity issues this week, CSD is extending the deadline for Year End estimates from End of Business 10/1 to End of Business 10/2. All project offices now have until 11:59PM on Friday, 10/2, to get their AASHTOWare Project Year End estimates submitted to Finance for Final Approval. '''It is important to note that while the deadline is being extended, New Year work still cannot be entered into the system until the morning of Monday, 10/5.''' With this extension, be sure to fully approve any draft items that remain in the system including DWRs, Contract Modifications, etc.
		+
		+	Also, in an effort to free up system resources the Mobile Inspector sync service is being re-scheduled to run twice a day at 12:30 pm and 4:30 pm. Please plan accordingly to ensure old year DWRs are approved within the deadlines outlined above.
		+
		+	Please note the extended deadline is for AASHTOWare Project contracts. The deadline for FieldManager contracts remains unchanged.
		+

	====September 24, 2026====		====September 24, 2026====

@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 ==Construction Technology News==
-====August 30, 2026====
+====September 24, 2026====
-Fiscal year-end directions have been issued by the Contractor Payments Unit. Please refer to these directions when preparing your year-end estimates.
+Fall has officially arrived, and Michigan is about to put on one of its most spectacular shows! As you travel across the state in the coming months, hopefully you’ll get a chance to enjoy the vibrant, sweeping color palettes painting our forests and communities. Just a friendly reminder: those beautiful falling leaves can create slick spots on both highways and local roads.
-[[Media:Year_End_Instructions_FY26_-_APCM.pdf|Year End Instructions FY26 - APCM]]
+'''Fiscal Year-End Reminder'''
-====August 28, 2026====
+[[Media:Year_End_Instructions_FY26_-_FieldManager.pdf|Year End Instructions FY26 - FieldManager]]
-As summer begins to wind down and thoughts of cooler days (and maybe even a little pumpkin spice) start creeping in, August brings a few important updates to help keep our processes running smoothly as we head into a new season.
+[[Media:Year_End_Instructions_FY26_-_APCM.pdf|Year End Instructions FY26 - APCM]]
-Fiscal year end is just around the corner, and reporting requirements will be sent out soon. Please watch for upcoming guidance and deadlines to help ensure everything is wrapped up cleanly and on time. We appreciate your attention to these items as we work toward a successful Fiscal Year-End closeout.
+[[Media:Year_End_FAQ_-_APCM.pdf|Year End FAQ - APCM]]
-*'''''Category Status Report''''' – This report has been updated to show estimate approvals in the correct order.
+'''System Configurations'''
-*'''''Daily Work Report''''' – This report has been updated to show DWR remarks in the same order they appear in on the DWR screen.
+*'''''Contract Times Screen''''' – The Informational Times area of the Contract Times screen in the Contract Administration area has been updated and unused fields have been removed. The screen has been streamlined to ensure users are filling out the correct fields.
 '''Did you know?...'''
-MDOT recently implemented a user recertification process where users must recertify their account every 6 months to remain active in the system. Users must recertify by June 1 and December 1. You can recertify anytime during these 6-month windows If you have not yet recertified, you can do so by following these steps:
+In the July Newsletter it was announced that the DWR posting screen was updated. The update added a "Supplier/Redistributor" field that is displaying within the materials area of the DWR. In addition, users also have noted some of the added fields, are self populating with text or numbers.  At this time, these extra fields will not affect the current DWR approval and pay estimate process. These fields have been added for future aggregate sampling, testing, and tracking within APCM.

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:02, 31 August 2026
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	==Construction Technology News==		==Construction Technology News==
		+
		+	====August 30, 2026====
		+
		+	Fiscal year-end directions have been issued by the Contractor Payments Unit. Please refer to these directions when preparing your year-end estimates.
		+
		+	[[Media:Year_End_Instructions_FY26_-_FieldManager.pdf\|Year End Instructions FY26 - FieldManager]]
		+
		+	[[Media:Year_End_Instructions_FY26_-_APCM.pdf\|Year End Instructions FY26 - APCM]]
		+

	====August 28, 2026====		====August 28, 2026====

@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 ==Construction Technology News==
-====July 29, 2026====
+====August 28, 2026====
-July brought its familiar combination of intense construction activity, high temperatures, humidity, and frequent detours — all of which can add extra strain during an already busy season. The good news is that recent improvements, both out in the field and within our systems, are designed to help ease that workload and support a smoother workflow as we move forward.
+As summer begins to wind down and thoughts of cooler days (and maybe even a little pumpkin spice) start creeping in, August brings a few important updates to help keep our processes running smoothly as we head into a new season.
-'''Report Updates'''
+'''Fiscal Year-End Reminder'''
-*'''''Category Status Report''''' – This report has been updated to provide a comprehensive summary of the contract category/categories within a project.
+Fiscal year end is just around the corner, and reporting requirements will be sent out soon. Please watch for upcoming guidance and deadlines to help ensure everything is wrapped up cleanly and on time. We appreciate your attention to these items as we work toward a successful Fiscal Year-End closeout.
-'''DWR Screen Updates for Aggregates'''
+*'''''Category Status Report''''' – This report has been updated to show estimate approvals in the correct order.
-Inspectors may notice a new field in the materials area of their DWR item posting screen. The "Supplier/Redistributor" was just added as part of preparation for aggregate tracking, sampling and testing. Currently, no action is required for inspectors regarding this new field. Please continue to complete the DWR in the same manner as you have been.  Additional guidance and instructions for using this field will be provided as MDOT moves forward with implementing aggregate processes within APCM.
+*'''''Daily Work Report''''' – This report has been updated to show DWR remarks in the same order they appear in on the DWR screen.
-'''Did you know?...'''
+MDOT recently implemented a user recertification process where users must recertify their account every 6 months to remain active in the system. Users must recertify by June 1 and December 1. You can recertify anytime during these 6-month windows If you have not yet recertified, you can do so by following these steps:
-Using an "unattached item" is a way to informally add an item to the contract after the contract was awarded. Once unattached items are added to contract project categories, they can be tracked on daily work reports but are not recognized as official contract items by the system and cannot be included in a contract payment until they are formally added to the contract through a change order and the change order is approved. The Unattached Items section on the New Items tab of the Change Order is used to attach unattached items to the contract.
+#Log in to AASHTOWare Project.

@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 ==Construction Technology News==
-====June 22, 2026====
+====July 29, 2026====
-Construction season is in full swing, and the favorable weather has helped maintain steady production and reduce delays across the state. With everything aligning on the construction activity side, AASHTOWare users should continue to move at a slow and steady pace. This approach helps prevent errors, protects project accuracy, and keeps MDOT’s records clean.
+July brought its familiar combination of intense construction activity, high temperatures, humidity, and frequent detours — all of which can add extra strain during an already busy season. The good news is that recent improvements, both out in the field and within our systems, are designed to help ease that workload and support a smoother workflow as we move forward.
 '''Report Updates'''
-*'''''Items with Unpaid Placed Quantities Report''''' – This report’s column headings have been updated to provide a clearer understanding of initial item quantities.
+*'''''Category Status Report''''' – This report has been updated to provide a comprehensive summary of the contract category/categories within a project.
-*'''''Final Project Review Report''''' – This report is now able to provide proper values when filtering, and the report can now process completely without generating a system error.
+'''DWR Screen Updates for Aggregates'''
 '''Did you know?...'''
-For audit compliance, any Daily Work Reports (DWRs) that cannot be completed by their original author must be placed in a rejected status within the contract. If a DWR is still in draft, another user will first need to submit it so it moves to pending approval. Once in this status, a user with an Office Tech role can select Reject. The system recognizes “Rejected” as a valid final status, and these DWRs will not appear as exceptions on pay estimates.
+Using an "unattached item" is a way to informally add an item to the contract after the contract was awarded. Once unattached items are added to contract project categories, they can be tracked on daily work reports but are not recognized as official contract items by the system and cannot be included in a contract payment until they are formally added to the contract through a change order and the change order is approved. The Unattached Items section on the New Items tab of the Change Order is used to attach unattached items to the contract.

@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 ==Construction Technology News==
-====April 24, 2026====
+====May 21, 2026====
-As April brought its usual mix of steady rain across much of the state — and even a stubborn layer of snow still hanging on in parts of the U.P. — MDOT is gearing up for another busy construction season. Along with the shift back into full project activity, this month’s Release Train delivers key enhancements to the AASHTOWare Project Construction & Materials (APCM) system.
+As we settle into May—a month famous for its unpredictable mix of sunshine, rain showers, and the occasional “why is it 40 degrees again?” morning—it’s a fitting reminder of how dynamic our construction season can be. Just as Michiganders keep an umbrella and sunglasses within arm’s reach, APCM continues to evolve to help you stay ready for whatever the day brings.
-'''Report Updates'''
+This is a reminder to all AASHTOWare Project users that we have implemented a new security policy and that you must now recertify your account every six months. A deactivation process runs on June 1 and December 1.
-*'''''Contract Monitoring Report''''' – A new Contract Monitoring Report was created that provides a single, department wide snapshot of active contracts. It increases transparency and enables construction staff to quickly identify potential issues such as missing estimates, overruns, and aging change orders. This report will be regularly distributed to region staff.
+Users who do not certify before the deadline will be automatically deactivated. If deactivated, you will need to complete the full New User Access Request form process to restore access—recertification cannot reactivate a disabled account.
-*'''''Item Postings by Contractor Report (PDF Version)''''' – This report was updated to resolve an issue where item postings for a single item code were being incorrectly duplicated across multiple Proposal Line numbers with identical total quantities. The corrected reporting logic now breaks out each item code properly by its associated Proposal Line Number.
+'''System Configurations'''
 '''Did you know?...'''
-When working with and selecting materials, searching by keyword, NOT by the four-digit code like “3930,” is the recommended best practice. The four-digit codes do not convey any meaningful information. Only materials from numbered Special Provisions (SP) follow a logical structure.
+Users cannot simply balance a lump sum item. To balance or deduct an unused lump sum item in APCM, users will have to create and process a change order with an offsetting extra item, in the same project category, with a negative unit price. Post both items on a DWR and include them in a pay estimate so the deduction is applied while preserving the original item for audit and contract history.

@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 ==Construction Technology News==
-====March 10, 2026====
+====March 20, 2026====
-Spring is (almost) here, and so are a few quirks and fixes following our recent AASHTOWare Project upgrade. As everyone settles into version 5.04, we want to keep you informed about what’s changed, what’s been resolved, and a few troubleshooting tips that may save you some time. Grab a coffee and take a quick look at the latest updates.
+While the Upper Peninsula was busy reminding us that winter isn’t done until ''it'' says so, the rest of us have been gearing up for spring construction season. As the snowflakes settle and we edge a little closer to orange‑barrel weather, our team has been tidying up reports, and working on some exciting system updates that will be coming over the next few weeks. Grab a warm drink, shake off that UP snowstorm energy, and let’s dig into what’s new this month.
 '''Announcements'''
-We’re continuing to monitor system behavior post‑upgrade, and several issues have already been identified and addressed. Below is a summary of what we know so far.
+If you are in a construction oversight role (Office Tech, etc.) you may now notice a new screen within the Contract Materials and Acceptance Actions area of your contract called Contractor Material Sources (CMS). The CMS area of the system was made visible as a first step in developing some new workflows to streamline the material approval and tracking processes for construction staff. These new processes and workflows will be implemented in the coming months. At this time there is no need to place any data in this area of the system and the screens can be ignored until further notice.
 '''System Configurations'''
-*'''''Email Notifications''''' – Following the upgrade, system‑generated email notifications were temporarily offline. The triggers have been restored, and all email notifications should now be functioning properly.
+*'''''Stockpile Recovery Warning Message''''' – A new warning message was created to assist offices in creating construction stockpiles for materials. A warning message will now be displayed during stockpile setup if the user inputs an item recovery percentage that causes the recovery dollar amount per item unit to exceed the contract unit price of the item.
-*'''''Pay Estimate Type Selection Required''''' – When creating a pay estimate, you may notice that the Type field appears preselected. However, users must still select or reselect the Pay Estimate Type before they can proceed. This ensures the system properly registers the selection.
+*'''''Update to Consultant Construction Materials Read Only roles''''' – This role has been updated to be able to run certain reports regarding person qualifications and also now has the ability to search person qualifications like several other roles.
-*'''''Subcontract Item Worksheet''''' – When building a subcontract and selecting a lump sum item in the item worksheet, the unit field may not automatically populate. The cell will display as blank and highlighted. To resolve: Click into the unit cell and manually select LSUM from the table.
 '''Did you know?...'''
-When posting materials on a Daily Work Report, it’s essential to correctly record how materials were used so the system can validate them for payment.
+AASHTOWare Project calculates subcontract value using two key sources:
-*'''''If a material is not used -''''' Make sure to zero out the installed quantity.
+*The Trucking, Brokering, and Supplying amounts entered on the General tab of the subcontract, and
-A non‑zero quantity tells the system the material was used—even if it wasn’t—which triggers a missing‑source error and blocks payment. If a user enters 0.00 in the material quantity field, the system will ignore that material as part of the payment estimate generation process.
+*The item values entered on the subcontract Items/Item Worksheet screen.
-A quick double‑check during your DWR entry can prevent delays and keep your estimate processing smoothly.
+This setup ensures the subcontract value accurately represents the actual scope and pricing of the subcontractor’s work, whether it's material supply, trucking, testing, or something more specialized.