This page provides a facility for the builder to establish options they would like for subcontractors to bid on. Thus the bidder has the flexibility to bid options separately from the base plan.

The Options page is based on the following assumptions:

• Options can be associated with many cost codes (i.e. bonus room) or as few as a single cost code but must be associated with at least one cost code.

• Options must be associated with plans and elevations. This association can range from a single plan/elevation (i.e. a fireplace will only be offered on one elevation or one plan) to options that are available in all plans/elevations (i.e. appliance upgrades from the standard whit appliance package to stainless steel).

Although the initial loading of options will generally be accomplished by upload them through Excel spreadsheets, they can also be entered and maintained through the BidConnect UI (User Interface). When adding new options, the user may use click on the Add Option button to add the option to a single cost code and map it to the appropriate plans and elevations. The option may be mapped to additional cost codes by clicking on the Add Cost Code link for each cost code they want to map the option to.

To manage master options:

1. To deactivate a master option, click the Deactivate check box next to each option you want to deactivate.

4. Click the Update button in the top right of the page.

To add options to the master list:

1. Open the Master Options page.

2. Click on the Add Option button and a popup window will be opened to add the new option.

1. Enter an option number for the option in Number column

2. Enter a name/description for the option in the Description column.

3. Choose one or more Cost Codes from the multi-select box. Hold down the Ctrl key to select multiple cost codes.

4. Choose one or more Plans from the multi-select box. Hold down the Ctrl key to select multiple plans.

5. Click the Add Option & Close Window button at the bottom of the page. The new option appears in the master list of options.

Master Option Columns

• Option Number & Description - Contains the number and description of the option as it will appear to the bidder and on the bid analysis pages.

• Bid Group - The bid group the option is mapped to .

• Cost Code - the cost code number and description of cost code the options is mapped to.

• Plan & Elevations - The Plans & Elevations the option is mapped to.

• If the option is mapped to all plans & elevations, an * will be displayed

• If the option is mapped to a single plan & elevation, the plan and elevation will be shown

• If the option is mapped to multiple plans & elevations but not all of them, an icon will be shown.

• Clicking on the icon will expand the option row to show the plans & elevations the option is mapped to.

• Clicking on the icon will then collapse the plans & elevations list for the option.

• Edit - Clicking on the Edit link for an option, opens a popup window to edit information about the option.

• Add - Clicking on the Add link for an option will open the Add Option Cost Code window to add an additional cost code to the option.

• Deactivate - Checking the Deactivate check box and clicking on the Update button will deactivate the option from displaying in subsequent option lists.