The following are the approved enhancements for the MERL 2007 Work Plan, the contract for which runs from 1/1/2007 - 12/31/2007. For an electronic copy of the MERL 2007 Work Plan Click here .
  • MERL Project Estimator Enhancements
    • Task: Combine 2 Estimates into 1
      Add function in the MERL Project Estimator so users can combine 2 or more separate estimates into a single estimate. Handle duplicates, different categories, breakdown ids, etc.
      Will be completed by 12/31/2007.

    • Task: Import CSV file to create an Estimate
      Add function in the MERL Project Estimator so users can import a CSV file containing Pay Item Code, Quantity, and Price to create a new Estimate (or merge/combine with an existing one). Handle bad file format, duplicates, etc.
      Will be completed by 12/31/2007.

    • Task: Contract Grouping
      Add field to database table and form to allow user to separate MERL Contracts into separate and distinct groups. For example, Local vs MDOT; or for a consultant, Agency1 vs Agency2 vs Agency3. This field will be used in the enhanced AUP capabilities to filter Contracts used in averages.
      Will be completed by 12/31/2007.

    • Task: Supplemental Pay Item Description Cleanup
      Add utility for users to clean up the database of Supplemental Pay Item Descriptions so only the commonly used and correctly formatted descriptions are displayed when adding one of these items to an Estimate. (If, for the same item, one user included a dash and another didn’t, both will show up and can cause confusion.)
      Will be completed by 12/31/2007.

  • Average Unit Price Analysis Enhancement
    • Task: Expand AUP Guide
      Add functionality to allow user to drill down from State AUP to Region AUP to Quarter AUP to Individual Contract Cost. Allow user to filter out Region(s) or Date Period(s) so Averages are recalculated based on filtered data.
      Will not be completed in 2007.

    • Task: Monthly Updates of MDOT Let Projects
      Add function to allow user to check for and download updates to the MDOT Let Projects data used in AUP Analysis. Data will be stored on MERL Updates web site.
      Will not be completed in 2007.

    • Task: Filter & Sort MDOT Let Projects Data on criteria for AUP Generation
      Add function to allow user to query the MDOT Let Projects data for certain criteria (concrete job, asphalt job, bridge, etc) and to filter on this criteria for analysis and AUP generation.
      Will not be completed in 2007.

  • Miscellaneous Enhancement
    • Task: Average Unit Prices for 2005 Aeronautic Codes
      Gather, parse and distribute average unit prices for the 2005 Aeronautic pay items from MDOT.
      Will be completed by 12/31/2007.

    • Task: Project Management Utility Contract Modification Report
      Add a report with signature lines that can optionally be printed when a Pay Item is added to a Contract during the Daily Posting process. Also add a report of all modifications made in a Contract.
      Will not be completed in 2007.

    • Task: Resource Library – Add New Documents
      Identify new documents from MDOT and other sources that can be added to the MERL Resource Library. Document cleanup, preparation and distribution.
      Will be completed by 12/31/2007.