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The review of any bid depends on the reliability of the estimate it is being compared to, making estimates an essential element in the project approval process. Thus, departments of transportation (DOT) should put great effort in the estimates' preparation as under-estimating can lead to project delays, while over-estimating leads to inefficient use of funds. Since delivering more lump sum projects is an Engineering Services Division strategic initiative in MnDOT and since lump sum items are often more difficult to price, it becomes important to develop an effective practice for consistent cost estimating. Risk-based estimating combines both risk management and traditional cost estimating to develop an estimate that includes the risk in the project's cost (Anderson et al. 2007). Risk-based estimating thus serves as an excellent estimating technique that generates reliable estimates. The objective of this research is to: Conduct literature review of risk-based estimating. Conduct state-of-practice review of risk-based estimating used by DOTs and other construction organizations. Based on the state-of-practice and literature review conducted, give recommendations on how these practices can be incorporated into MnDOTs business practice. The recommendations reached through this research are anticipated to help the MnDOT estimating team get a better understanding of risk-based estimating, and how it could be employed in the MnDOT estimation process.

The construction manager-at-risk (CMR) project delivery method, also termed construction manager/general contractor (CM/GC) project delivery in several states' enabling legislation, is an integrated team approach to the planning, design, and construction of a project to control schedule and budget and assure quality for the project owner. The team consists of the owner, the designer, which might be an in-house engineer, and the at-risk construction manager. Working toward a process to use the CM/GC project delivery method, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) identified industry stakeholders to engage and address concerns and work through ideas about CM/GC. The researchers reviewed the related literature, analyzed the content of 30 Request for Proposal/Request for Qualifications (RFP/RFQ) solicitation documents, and collected/compiled responses to a questionnaire (structured to answer MnDOT questions) that was sent to agencies in states that have used CM/GC. Survey questions and responses, as well as the targeted literature review and RFP/RFQ content analysis, are covered in the standalone white papers that were developed and included in this report to present the results of this investigation. The first five topics identified, presented to the stakeholder group, and, then, developed into white papers were as follows: CM/GC Project Selection, CM/GC Selection Process, CM/GC Selection Requirements, Subcontractors, and Cost Negotiations. Five additional topics were identified, developed into standalone white papers, and also included at the end of this report as follows: Including Cost in the CM/GC Selection Process, Design Contract Modifications, Owner Process to Validate Cost, Role of Independent Cost Estimator (ICE), and Contractor Bid Process.

This project captured best practices for producing and delivering road construction plans and documentation from several Minnesota cities and counties, industry, and several other state departments of transportation (DOTs). The findings will assist Minnesota city and county engineers in getting a better understanding of how and which types of plans, models, and other bid documents are used and delivered electronically in the construction industry, and how best practices can be employed in Minnesota cities and counties. The project included an extensive literature review, phone interviews with experts, and a brainstorming session with super-users. The brainstorming session was held to help assess the recommendations reached through the study and determine how electronic plans, models, and other bid documents are viewed by the implementers in Minnesota cities and counties. Based on the results of this work, guidance was developed for the implementation of 3D modeling and electronic document management (EDM) systems for the MnDOT Local Road Research Board (LRRB).