The APOST Times Newsletter - September 2023

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September 2023


Consultants & Contractors Q&A

Autumn leaf

Now in October!

We’ve moved our Q&As to October to accommodate our Train-the-Trainer sessions. We’re so close to AWP implementation and working in live contracts. If you’re looking for an introduction to AASHTOWare Project that specifically addresses your work with AWP on ODOT jobs, join us in-person at the Salem Materials Lab or virtually through Teams at our next session.

Consultants

In-person or Virtual

Monday, October 10  1:30-3:00 pm

 

Contractors

In-person or Virtual

Tuesday, October 11  9:30-11 am

 

As an external learner to ODOT, you must have a Workday Learning account to access our courses. If you don't have one, create it here. After you establish your account, sign in and choose "Sign in using a Personal Device".

 


Start Your Pre-AWP Checklists

Consultants and Contractors: How are you doing on your pre-AWP checklist? There are several things you need to address or complete before training in and using AWP. Descriptions for each area are listed below. Is your team ready?

  • OregonBuys – Register in OregonBuys to work with the state of Oregon on projects. If you haven’t registered, click here: https://oregonbuys.gov/bso/. Whether you’re working in AWP or not, everyone doing business with the state must be registered in OregonBuys. (Contractors, forward this link to your subcontractors so they can register, too.)
  • Workday Learning – There are required training courses for AWP. To access courses, every individual on your staff needs a Workday Learning account. If you are an external users and you don't have an account, create it here. After you establish your account, sign in and choose "Sign in using a Personal Device". Share this with your teams and subcontractors so they will be ready for training, too. (Links for role-based training will be provided in future newsletters.)
  • Staff List – Identify staff at your office who will need AWP training. Determine individual roles. Consider what areas your team needs to work successfully in AWP. Contact odoteconstruction@odot.Oregon.gov for details.
  • Payroll – Contractors and subcontractors will have new payroll processes to work in AWP. For a brief overview and a flowchart, see the June APOST Times. Additional details will be provided with AWP training materials.
  • Getting Started – Before your user training, there is a prerequisite course in Workday. This will help you become familiar with some of the naming conventions and navigation in AWP. If you have taken it, you may take it again as a refresher. Getting Started.
Checklists for Consultants and Contractors

Mobile Inspector Pilot

Mobile Inspector Pilot in August on Banks Project

In August, ODOT joined with consultants David Evans & Associates on a sidewalk project in Banks, Oregon. We took the opportunity to do a pilot project with Mobile Inspector. John Oberdiek from Infotech was on hand to assist. ODOT’s Consultant RE was Anita Muhly from the RE office in Astoria.

On-site at the Banks Project

Mobile Inspector (MI) is an add-on program to our AWP that allows inspectors to work in the field, even in areas where a Wi-Fi connection is unavailable. Inspectors can load project information into a laptop or iPad while working directly on the project. When the inspector returns to the office setting, the information from Mobile Inspector is uploaded seamlessly into AWP.

Data from our pilot is still coming in for analysis, but all in all, this pilot was a success. We learned how Mobile Inspector could work with our field crews. MI assisted us in capturing information and transferring it to our daily work reports (DWRs). The pilot also revealed some areas where we need more research to determine how to use MI in field work outside of Wi-Fi access.

 


Train the Trainer Starts Sept. 11

AWP Tablet

Our ODOT trainers include subject matter experts who have been working with the AWP program. Most now have years of experience in AWP. They are also experts in our construction-related fields. They speak our users’ language.

Additionally, many of our ODOT trainers are System Admin specialists. They have been working in AWP and understand how we do things. Their expertise has helped to make AWP the best fit for us.

At the Train the Trainer sessions, we will learn from Infotech experts how to share processes and program information with you, the users.

What does that mean for you? We promise to be training users right before you work on your contract in AWP. The Train-the-Trainer sessions happen right before actually training users. So, we’ll be looking at upcoming projects to make final decisions on which Region offices and contracts are first in line to start in AWP.

 


AWP Test Site Access Notices

Email into a phone image

We’ve been busy!

As a member of an ODOT Construction office or a Consultant office you may have received a notification that you have access to AWP Hosted Test Site. That’s the start to get prepared for our implementation of AASHTOWare Project for Civil Rights & Labor and Construction & Materials modules. Your email will also include the roles your office has assigned for you to do your work.

If you are an ODOT user, you have single sign-on. In other words, your computer password is your ticket into AWP’s Test Site.

As a Consultant, you are required to use a password. In your email, You will receive instructions, including a temporary password from AWPAdmin@odot.oregon.gov. You will need to use this login information and temporary password when you initially logon, and then create your own password.

We will assign Contracts in AWP beginning in November. Your crew or office may or may not be among our first to receive Contracts. Watch for information about user training coming soon.

At this time, you do not need to do anything. We are just preloading the site with users. A website link will be provided for access when we set up training for your office.

 


Questions? Comments? Interested in becoming a team member?

Contact us and let us know.

Check out our website at
https://www.oregon.gov/odot/Construction/Pages/AW-Construction.aspx

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