ContactThe Appian Way, September 2007
Technology news for public works professionals
Get your Appia fishing lure: 2007 edition!
If you’ve attended APWA Congress in the past few years, you know that the Appia booth (#3109) is the place to go for a great fishing lure*. Come by and get this year’s lure and let us know what you caught with last year’s spinner. Take a photo of your catch and we’ll post it to our web site!
*while supplies last
FHWA – Expecting More from Locals?
Recently, a report was released by the Federal Highway Administration entitled The Administration of Federal-aid Projects by Local Public Agencies (download pdf). In 2006, an executive review of 39 locally-administered projects by 35 different local agencies was completed to compile the report. The review team concluded that by and large Federal funds were “ not used effectively and efficiently in locally administered projects...”
“...Weaknesses were found in Local Program Agency processes associated with program management...contract award and construction contract administration.”
“...construction quality was highly variable, and the quality and availability of records made it difficult to verify compliance.”
“There is a risk to the agencies who are responsible and accountable for local Federal-aid projects that funds are being used inefficiently and ineffectively. In addition, there may be a risk of fraud, waste and abuse.”
“...OPCD [Office of Professional and Corporate Development Program Improvement Team] recommends that prior to being delegated the authority to administer a Federal-aid project, each LPA [Local Program Agency] should be ‘qualified’ by meeting minimum requirements in processes, training and experience.”
It is clear that FHWA Executive Leadership is taking a closer look at their LPA program and it may be just a matter of time before these claims fall on your desk. As an experienced firm providing solutions built to streamline an LPA’s capital construction program for estimation, bidding and contract administration processes, Info Tech would like your feedback and thoughts on these findings.
How do you head-off these concerns by FHWA and ensure that you remain eligible for federal aid? Please visit us at APWA Congress (booth #3109) to discuss this issue and the FHWA report. At the booth, you can see a several aspects of a web application that fulfills the needs expressed by FHWA and also streamlines your entire program to function more efficiently every day.
Construction bidding - faster, cheaper, easier!
Do you want to learn more about electronic and internet bidding for contractors? Info Tech’s Appia and Bid Express applications perform these tasks and are being featured in the Exhibitor Showcase. State DOTs have been allowing highway construction contractors to bid online for years. The same contractors that bid on state jobs want to use online bidding for your agency's projects. Learn how to make this a reality in your agency. The session is on Monday, 2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. in the Exhibit Hall.
Streamline your construction program in 15 minutes!
Demos of Internet bidding, estimation and more at the Appia booth (#3109)
Do you want to see how a web application can create accurate estimates, manage construction and allow for Internet bidding? For the 8th year, Info Tech’s Appia will be center stage at APWA Congress. Come by booth #3109 to see live demos at any time and to get an idea of project workflow in Appia. Or, visit our in-booth demo area at the following times for scheduled demos:
Engineer’s Estimate – Get it right!
Using Appia to generate accurate estimates
Sunday at 12:30, Monday at 10:30, Tuesday at 10:30
Get your hands on more pots of cash!
Use Appia to easily track multiple funding sources
Sunday at 1:30, Monday at 11:30, Tuesday at 11:30
Your contractors are really asking for it…
Internet bidding for your projects
Sunday at 2:30, Monday at 12:30 and 2:30, Tuesday at 12:30
Making “on time and under budget” a reality
Construction management in Appia
Sunday at 3:30, Monday at 1:30, Tuesday at 1:30
Education session: Recruiting young professionals in public works
Are you doing what you need to do to attract the next generation of public works professionals in construction management? You can learn more about the unique needs of rising generations and how technology plays a role in getting the best and the brightest to come work at your agency. The session on Generational Issues in Public Works (#3819) will be Tuesday, September 11, 2007 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Info Tech’s staff of technology professionals will be facilitating this session and discussion. Don’t miss it!
The Appian Way is a free newsletter developed by Info Tech specifically for public works professionals.