Frequently Asked Questions
Minneapolis Builders Exchange
What does MBEX.org have to offer? ↓
Online Planroom Tips
What is SAM? ↓
Why can’t I find my project by searching with a project name? ↓
Where are the plans and specs for a project that bid months ago? ↓
How do I find out more details about a particular project? ↓
What does it mean to track a project? ↓
Where is the project I was looking at yesterday?* ↓
How do I find a document missing from plans or specifications? ↓
What is MBEX’s process for obtaining planholders? ↓
What is MBEX’s process for obtaining bid results? ↓
How do I keep up the new projects received my MBEX on a daily basis? ↓
What does “not available in planroom” mean? ↓
Minneapolis Builders Exchange
What does MBEX.org have to offer?
Be a part of the information age with MBEX! Our online planroom (accessible through mbex.org) allows our members to view 100% of available project information 24/7. In addition to viewing project information, the online planroom allows users to filter projects, receive nightly email updates, track projects via email and order blueprints. With three levels of access, all member companies have the ability to pick the level that best fits their needs. Please check out the online planroom chart for complete details on the different tools available through the different levels of access. If you have any questions about the online planroom, please contact Jill at 612-381-2631.
Online Planroom Tips
What is SAM?
SAM (specification and addenda mining) search is a tool that utilizes OCR (optical character recognition) to comprehensively search through spec books by keyword. In short, the SAM feature allows members paying for the premium online planroom to do a search by keyword through a spec book. For example, a SAM search actually sets up the criteria for our database to read spec books and addenda for keywords entered into search fields.
Why can’t I find my project by searching with a project name?
When searching for a project online by using a word search, always remember to be as general as possible. Anyone familiar with the construction industry understands the variation in project titles. While MBEX may have entered a specific project under one title, members may hear of the project under another name or title. For example, instead of typing in “splitrock,” try searching using “split” or “rock”. The search may bring in more than one result, but will narrow down the choices and will also make for a successful search.
Where are the plans and specs for a project that bid months ago?
MBEX has received a lot of inquiries from members trying to access plans and specs for projects that have already bid. A very useful thing to remember is to save projects to your own computer. As MBEX only keeps electronic files of projects online for 30-60 days after the bid date, it is to your benefit to save each project when it is online in the active bidding phase. If the process of saving projects is a new and unknown process, please feel free to call for a walk-through of the necessary steps.
How do I find out more details about a particular project?
The staff of MBEX would like to remind all online planroom users to check the “Notes” section for each project listed (prebid, active, and postbid). This section can be found within the “details” page for each project. Within this section, MBEX reports on important and sometimes vital information. Prebid or “PIP” project notes may include data on the planning process or project requests (whether or not the project will be available at MBEX). Active project notes will include prebid dates and times or missing spec sections/plan pages. The notes for projects in the postbid (projects in the “apparent low” phase) may include an in depth explanation of bid results. Make it a habit to check the notes on every project; this way, nothing will get overlooked!
What does it mean to track a project?
Perhaps one of the best features that our online planroom offers is the ability to track projects. By using this feature, users can easily keep track of any new changes to projects. Such changes may include plan arrival, new addenda, and bidders list updates. There are two ways to track projects online. One way is to track a project with email, thus, each time there is a new update to the tracked project, an email will automatically be sent. Another way is to track projects without email, meaning the change will be tracked and recorded only through the “My Deskpad” page. To track a project, simply check the “Track with e-mail” or “Track w/o e-mail,” found directly above the respective project title.
Where is the project I was looking at yesterday?
When using the online planroom, please remember to keep in mind the phases through which projects move within the system. Projects begin in the “Active” phase when bidding, and then progress from the “Apparent Lows” phase (24 hours after the bid date) to the “Archived” phase (approximately 60 days after the bid date). The best way to find projects online based on the phase status is to start from the “My Deskpad” page. Type the project number into the “Proj ID” field, found in the “Project Quick Search” box on the left-hand side. Make sure that the appropriate phase is the only box is checked, and then click “Submit.” To be successful in finding projects as they move throughout these phases, make sure that only one box is checked and it is the correct phase. If unsure of the actual phase, try more than one search.
How do I find a document missing from plans or specifications?
In consideration of our members, the Exchange is proud of the quick response in regards to posting and making addenda available to our members. Please keep in mind the importance of these documents, the changes contained within them, and where the changes can be found within the project documents. When looking at a project online, if something is missing (plan page, specification section, etc.) please refer to the addenda listed for the project. The first few pages of the listed addendum will list the corresponding documents issued in correlation with the changes. If “w/drawings” is listed next to the addendum, please refer to the plans section for that project. The respective drawings will always be listed at the end of the plans listings with the number of the addendum (ex: Addm 4) prior to the drawing title.
What is MBEX’s process for obtaining planholders?
Many of our members use the online planroom as a source to keep up on bidders lists. MBEX has a process both for entering and requesting bidders lists from owners, architects, or engineers. Seven days before the bid date an automatic fax is sent to the project distributor. If no response or list is received after the original fax, another is sent out four days and then three days before the bid date. If MBEX receives no list after the third fax, a call is made to the plan distributor verbally requesting a bidders list. We do our best to track down bidders lists for all projects and enter them promptly. However, once in a while, our requests are not met. In this case, please feel free to contact the plan distributor to inquire about bidding companies.
What is MBEX’s process for obtaining bid results?
One of the most important aspects to the bidding process presents itself in the post-bid phase. MBEX does its best to obtain bid results on all projects. Understanding the steps we take in requesting and entering bid results, or apparent lows, is the first step in utilizing this service online. MBEX sends automatic fax requests for results 7, 14, and 21 days after the bid date. Once the results are received, they are promptly entered, with the information immediately available online. If results are received before the 7 day request, it is at the discretion of the owner, architect, or engineer.
How do I keep up with new projects received my MBEX on a daily basis?
Considering the high volume of projects both reported on and received at MBEX daily, keeping up on all of the Active projects can prove to be very overwhelming. However, using the tools on the “My Deskpad” page of the website makes it very easy to stay on top of the Active reporting process. To obtain a listing of projects recently made active, simply click on “My New Active Projects” (located directly above the weekly calendar). Then, fill in a date from which to pull the projects from. For example, if the date of 5/22/07 is entered, all of the projects entered as “Active” projects will appear from that date through the present date. To see a listing of the Active projects listed daily, visit this page at the end of every working day and generate a new report.
What “not available in planroom” mean?
Unlike other planrooms within the industry, MBEX reports on every project we can get information for. However, please keep in mind that not every project reported on at the exchange will be physically or electronically available on the first report date. As many members have noticed, “not available in planroom” may be specified as the bin for some projects. While the project was not received at MBEX on the original report date, take a moment to click on the project title and look at the notes within the details page. The notes will clarify the actions taken by our Plans in Progress reporter in regards to obtaining the plans/specs.
