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This project's purpose was to produce an educational guide for agencies on contract language and processes that, when used, will improve the likelihood of a contractor delivering a project on time. The guide is supported by the following: 1. Review of current industry standards and literature related to contract time determination, contract type, and contract disputes and claims 2. Investigation of current contract language producing successful contract completion. 3. Investigation of ways to mitigate potential project delays during the construction and design phase of a project 4. Understanding the use of liquidated damages, when they are used and frequency of collecting or negotiating them away

The purpose of this project was to develop a tool, which is available at https://edocs-public.dot.state.mn.us/edocs_public/DMResultSet/download?docId=29248604 The tool is an Excel macro file that estimates bridge construction contract time based on various controlling activities of bridge construction. As part of this project, various transportation departments throughout the United States were interviewed on how contract time is established in their states. Many states had some sort of estimating tool that aided in establishing contract time; while others followed the process and protocols established by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Chapter 5 of this report contains a user manual for the spreadsheet tool. The MnDOT Bridge Office also developed four instructional videos.