When is the last day addenda will be issued before the bid opening (letting) date?

Typically, the Commission will not issue any addenda less than four (4) days prior to the bid opening date.

Must all addenda be downloaded and acknowledged by each contractor?

Yes, all types of addenda must be acknowledged before submitting a bid. Types of addenda include text addenda, plan addenda and schedule of prices addenda. EBS will prevent contractors from submitting a bid if all schedule of prices addenda were not downloaded, but does not check that the Schedule of Prices addenda were included with the bid file.

Does the latest addenda include all previous addenda for a contract or must I download all addenda for a contract?

Turnpike addenda items are each treated as separate items and do not incorporate previous addenda. Only the schedule of prices addenda need to be downloaded (all other addenda must only be acknowledged). For schedule of price addenda, we suggest that you download all of these types of addenda to the same folder as the original .EBS file so that the Bid software will automatically load all addenda when you open the original schedule of prices file.

Will EBS automatically check that all addenda have been submitted with my schedule of prices bid file?

NO! Due to the functionality in the Bid software, EBS is not able to determine whether you have submitted all addenda with your bid. It is the responsibility of each contractor to download all schedule of prices addenda. It is suggested that you download all addenda for the same contract to the same folder on your computer so that the Bid software automatically incorporates the addenda to your bid. NOTE that a bid will be rejected when the bid is opened on the bid opening date if all schedule of prices addenda were not included with a bid.

When are bid results available to the public (and business partners)?

The total bid amount and the names of the bidders are made available on this website immediately after contract opening time. Complete Bid Tabulations and award information will be made available ONLY after evaluation and official approval by the Commission. Bid Tabulations will be posted on the Bid Schedule page in this EBS web site for projects in the Awarded category. Click on the Details link for a project to see the bid results.

When are bid tabulations available to the public and can the bid tabulations be viewed or downloaded from EBS?

Bid tabulations are automatically posted to the EBS public web site after a contract is awarded to a bidder. The bid tabulations may be viewed and/or downloaded by clicking on the Awarded, Executed or Completed link on the left-side navigation bar in EBS and clicking the Details link for an item in the Bid Schedule table.

Bid Tabs – By clicking on this link a pop-up window will open with the Bid Tabs in Data Grid format for a quick view that is not in printer-ready format. Three formats are available for downloading and printing – PDF, Excel, and XML. The Excel format is a comma-delimited (.csv) format. If the .csv file opens in a text editor, such as notepad, it means that either Excel is not installed on the machine or there is no association between the .csv file and Excel. In the latter case, Excel must be opened first. Once Excel is opened, use File Open to browse to the .csv file and open it.

How can I determine if I am using correct version of Bid software when submitting a bid?

You must be using the Bid software version as specified for each project to bid on PA Turnpike Projects. You can determine the version of Bid software by opening the EBS bid file you are submitting and clicking on Help, About AASHTOWare Project Bids Bid, and checking the splash screen in upper right corner.

Why can I not submit a bid file?

Submitting a bid for a Commission construction project requires that you register as a business partner and login to the EBS web site. Only general information is provided to those who do not log in. In order to submit a bid, you must complete a two-part process. Follow the instructions on the Registration tab to submit a business partner agreement form to the Commission and to complete your on-line registration information. You must also make sure that your computer meets the system requirements defined on the Contractors Home page in this web site. Finally, the user account you use to log into the EBS web site must have security permissions to allow you to submit a bid (i.e. you must be in the Principal or Other Officer security group). To determine the security group assigned to your user account, click on the Users link under the Contractors section of the navigation bar.

What situations could cause the EBS system to reject my bid?

Your bid will be rejected if all appropriate items (including alternate items) have not been filled in, if you submitted a bid with the wrong file name or if you submitted a bid file using the wrong version of Bid software. The PTC requires that the Bid software version as specified for each project must be used. Entering a value of zero for any bid item is a valid entry at the Commission and items that are blank are considered not bid upon (therefore, in the Bid software do not enter a value for an alternate item unless you wish to bid on that item).

How do I digitally sign my contract documents, such as the form of agreement?

If the PDF document does not allow signing, - the Document, Sign, submenu is "grayed out" - please contact the EBS Help Desk. The Help Desk has the ability to enable the file to accept your digital signature. Only users with Adobe Professional Version have the ability to enable a PDF file to accept a digital signature. If Adobe Reader Version is being used, then please contact EBS Help Desk at 1-833-EBS-7676 (1-833-327-7676) or email them at ebshelpdesk@paturnpike.com . Please attach the PDF document that needs to be enabled with your message.

How do I obtain Plans & Specifications for a project?

Plans and Specifications for a project are availalbe in EBS to registered business partners. To access plans and specifications for viewing or downloading, Click the "Drawings and Specifications" tab at the top of the page when viewing the desired contract.

How can I obtain the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Standards Library documents including Drawings and Specifications?

You can obtain the PTC Standards Library documents online by going to the home page (general information section) of the website. Do not log into the business partners section of the website. On the left-hand navigation bar you will see a "Standards Library" section. The links to search the standard drawings and the standard specifications will be in that section, along with the ability to download these files free of charge.

I registered online - why has my account been deactivated?

You must properly execute and submit the hardcopy Business Partner Agreement forms to the PA Turnpike. Failure to complete and submit the hard copy forms to the PA Turnpike will result in deactivation of your account. Proper execution requires original signatures of 2 authorized corporate officers, properly designated to execute and attest to contracts. If attesting by other than a corporate officer, provide written authority that the person who attested has corporate authority to do so.

My organization previously registered to be a business partner with PennDOT. Am I required to register separately with Turnpike Commission?

Yes. Although the process to register as a business partner with the Commission is similar to PennDOT registration, a separate form must be submitted and new agreement made with the Commission

How can I determine if I am using correct version of Bid software when submitting a bid?

You must be using the Bid software version as specified for each project to bid on PA Turnpike Projects. You can determine the version of Bid software by opening the EBS bid file you are submitting and clicking on Help, About AASHTOWare Project Bids Bid, and checking the splash screen in upper right corner.

How do I turn off popup blockers

To turn off pop-up blockers in the following browsers

Edge
  1. Click the ... icon in upper left corner
  2. Click Settings
  3. Click on Cookies and site permissions on left menu
  4. Select All permissions block and scroll down to Pop-ups and redirects and click on it
  5. In the Allow block, click on the Add button and enter ebs.paturnpike.com as the site, if it is not already there.

Firefox
  1. Click Tools or the three line icon in upper right if visible
  2. Select Settings ...
  3. Click Privacy & Security located on the left side
  4. Scroll down to Permissions section
  5. Scroll down to Content section and Select Block pop-up windows
  6. If checked, click on Exceptions button to the right of it
  7. If ebs.paturnpike.com not in list add it by entering ebs.paturnpike.com in box and click on Allow button to the right
  8. Click Save button if you had to add it or Cancel button if you didn't

Chrome
  1. Click the Customize and control Google Chrome menu (... in upper right corner)
  2. Select Settings
  3. Click Privacy and security link on left of screen
  4. In the Privacy and security section select Site Settings
  5. In the Content section select Pop-ups and redirects
  6. Scroll to bottom, to the Allowed to send pop-ups and use redirects section.
  7. Make sure ebs.paturnpike.com is in the list, if not, add it

Why can I not click on and expand the left navigation menu?

You may need to remove paturnpike.com from compatibility view in IE. Open IE. Click on the Gear icon at the top right of the window. If the gear is not present, press the ALT key on your keyboard and then click on the Tools menu (this menu should appear on the left side of your IE window under the IE header). Select Compatibility View settings from either of these drop down menus. Click on the paturnpike.com entry to highlight it. Click on Remove, this will remove it from the list box. Click on Close to close this window. The page will refresh and load correctly.

How do I know if I have the proper computer hardware and software to use EBS?

The list of requirements for your computer system to properly operate with EBS can be found on the Contractors & Business Partners Home page that is displayed when a business partner logs into EBS.

What are the technical requirements for my computer system to use EBS?

System Requirements

How do I know which documents or attachments I must include with my bid file?

Documents that are required to be submitted with a bid are found by clicking the Download Documents link in the Bid Schedule table for projects in the Advertised category. The list indicates whether the document is required or conditional for inclusion with the bid. Deferred documents that may be uploaded to EBS after you submit your bid are also displayed in the list (e.g. DBE Attachment A form used for federally-funded projects).

Why can I not click on and expand the left navigation menu?

You may need to remove paturnpike.com from compatibility view in IE. Open IE. Click on the Gear icon at the top right of the window. If the gear is not present, press the ALT key on your keyboard and then click on the Tools menu (this menu should appear on the left side of your IE window under the IE header). Select Compatibility View settings from either of these drop down menus. Click on the paturnpike.com entry to highlight it. Click on Remove, this will remove it from the list box. Click on Close to close this window. The page will refresh and load correctly.

Does EBS include any on-line user manuals or help files that I may use to learn how to use the system?

Yes, on-line help files are available in PDF format for viewing or download by clicking on the Help shortcut button that appears at the top of all pages in EBS. A separate help file is available for each area of EBS including: 1) general information (for public use) 2) Contractors & Business Partners (forregistered and logged-in users) 3) administrators (for Turnpike Commission personnel), and 4) admintool (Turnpike Commission personnel)

Why can I not perform certain functions in EBS such as downloading Bid software or updating my company profile?

Security in EBS is controlled by a role-based system. Refer to the security matrix on the Contractors & Business Partners home page to determine the appropriate security role for users.

Who do I contact if I am unable to understand or properly use EBS?

We suggest that you first read the on-line help documents and frequently asked questions (FAQ) in EBS. However, if you are still not able to use EBS you may contact persons at the help desk center for assistance. The contact information for the help desk can be found at the bottom of this FAQ web page.

How can I find out if a contract has been awarded?

Award information will be made available ONLY after evaluation and official approval by the Commission. Once a contract has been officially awarded by the Commission, then the contract will be posted to the Bid Schedule in the Awarded category.
If a contract appears in the Awarded category, then the contract has been awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.

How can I get a list of planholders?

Planholders for a specific project are available on-line on this web site. For a complete list of current contracts and links to the planholders lists go to the Bid Schedule page in this EBS web site and click on the Details link for any project in the Advertised category.

What is the estimated cost of the project?

Actual cost estimates are for internal budgeting purposes only and are not published; however, a cost range is provided as an indicated in the Bid Schedule for projects in the Advertised category.

How often will changes to EBS functions be implemented and how will the user community be notified of such changes?

Currently, changes will be made to EBS as needed to clarify but not modify the system functions. Appropriate changes will be implemented at the discretion of the Turnpike Commission to better support the user community. As the system matures, the procedures and schedule of these changes will be enhanced.

Must I submit a bid bond for each project to the Turnpike Commission?

Yes. The Commission requires a bid bond to be submitted for all construction projects. Note that the bid bond will be an electronic file that you receive from your agent and must be uploaded as a separate file when you upload your bid file.

How do I place my signature on the bid bond if it is received from my agent in electronic format?

Turnpike Commission requires bidders and surety/agents to place a signature on the bid bond. Your agent will first insert their digital signature into the electronic bid bond file and the Commission may view that digital signature for authenticity using a public key. Contact Tinubu (https://www.tinubu.com) or Surety2000 (https://surety2000.com) for further details. Support can be reached for Tinubu at email supportba@tinubu.com or phone 818-783-3460 or for Surety2000 at email help@surety2000.com or phone 800-660-3263.

How do I get prequalified to bid on Turnpike work?

Commission contracts involving roadway and bridge work require bidders to be prequalified by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation on the day of the bid. Applications are available at the address below: Prequalification Officer Contract Management Section Highway Delivery Division Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Harrisburg, PA 17120 (717) 787-7032 Or on PennDOT`s ECMS website: http://www.dot2.state.pa.us/ For contracts involving Plumbing, Electrical, HVAC or other miscellaneous items, bidders are required to submit Commission-provided qualification forms with their bid. The specifications for each project identify the prequalification requirements.

Do I have to be prequalified to bid as a subcontractor?

This requirement only applies to subcontractors performing work on a contract that is wholly or partially financed with federal funds. The contract documents specify the applicable requirements for subcontractors.

Why can I not perform certain functions in EBS such as downloading Bid software or updating my company profile?

Security in EBS is controlled by a role-based system. Refer to the security matrix on the Contractors & Business Partners home page to determine the appropriate security role for users.

How can I practice submitting a bid, prior to bid opening?

The EBS Training Website is available for test bidding. You must be a registered business partner on the production website. Use your regular login ID and production password to log in. If you need assistance on the Training Website please call the EBS Help Desk, which will be open Monday through Friday from 8AM to 5PM at: 1-833-EBS-7676 (1-833-327-7676). Click here to go to the Training website.

What are the differences between the real EBS website and the training website?

The EBS Training Website will always indicate "TRAINING" in the header on the web pages in purple. You must be registered on the production website to utilize the Training Website. No new registrations or addition of users for your organization will be available. Bid Bonds will NOT be required for the training bid submissions. Bid bonds will be classified as conditional documents for training purposes only. Contact your electronic bid bond vendor for test bond forms. Remember, Login IDs will always be the same as the production EBS website, but passwords will always be “ebstrain”.

What is the Training Website advertised bid schedule?

Sample bids will be advertised, with bid openings scheduled every two weeks. Click on the Advertised link under the Bid Information on the left navigation pane to find available Projects for training purposes.

How can I obtain the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Standards Library documents including Drawings and Specifications?

You can obtain the PTC Standards Library documents by going to the home page (general information section) of the website. Do not log into the contractors section of the website. On the left-hand navigation bar you will see a "Standards Library" section. The links to search the standard drawings and the standard specifications will be in that section, along with the ability to download these files free of charge.