Sub Clarifications
Every gap on your sheet becomes a specific question for the sub who left it out, drafted and ready for you to send.
A bid clarification is a written question asking a sub to confirm whether a specific item is in their price, and to add it if not, before you finalize your number.
Thanks for your proposal. Before we can level it, please confirm whether the following are included, and add pricing if not:
- Shaftwall at elevator A-501/4
- Firestopping at rated partitions 07 84 00
- Blocking for millwork A-610
Please reply by Thursday so we can finalize the bid.
Vague questions get vague answers.
"Please confirm your scope is per plans and specs" gets back "yes, per plans and specs." Then the shaftwall still isn't in the number.
A question that names the item and points to the sheet is hard to dodge. The sub has to look, and either confirm it's included or send a price.
Writing those questions by hand for every sub on every trade is what eats bid week. ArcSpecs drafts them from the gaps it already found.
The usual email
- "Please confirm your scope is complete"
- Same message sent to every sub
- Answer: "Per plans and specs"
A ArcSpecs clarification
- Lists only that sub's gaps
- Each item has its sheet or spec reference
- Answer: "Included" or a number
Gaps in, questions out.
Gaps become questions
Every flagged item from Bid Leveling (and Scope Check on Pro) becomes a plain question with its reference attached.
One email per sub
Each sub gets a draft listing only their gaps. A sub with nothing missing gets nothing.
You review and send
Edit the wording, set your reply-by date, and send from your own email. Nothing goes out on its own.
Questions subs can actually answer.
One email per sub
Only their gaps, numbered, ready to send or copy into your usual email.
Sheet and spec on every item
Subs can find the item in seconds, so you get answers before bid day.
You send it
Edit anything before it goes. It comes from you, in your words, to subs you already work with.
About clarifications.
Does it email my subs automatically?
No. ArcSpecs drafts the emails and you decide what goes out. Send, copy into Outlook, or edit first.
Can I change the wording?
Yes. Every draft is editable, and you can set your own reply-by date and tone.
Does it track replies?
Not yet. Replies come back to your inbox like any other email, and you update the sheet when a sub confirms or sends a price.
Which plan includes it?
Sub Clarifications is in every plan. On Pro, gaps from the Scope Check are included in the drafts too.
Try it on your next bid package.
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