16.03.00 exporting bids

Bids can be exported to two different file types depending on whether you want to include the image files:

• OSP Bid Package file (can include image files)
• OST Takeoff File (includes takeoff and project information but no images)

Both of these send every Condition and all takeoff however an OSP Bid Package provides the option to send images as well.  Bid Packages are a handy way to share an entire project with another On-Screen Takeoff user.

• You can only export a Bid to an OSP Bid Package file if you are Licensed user.  

There are two methods for exporting a project, each with various options:

• Send a project to another user using the Send function in the program.  Sending creates an OSP file providing the ability to include the image files for the project.
• Export a Bid to a file (either OSP or OST) for sending as an e-mail attachment or via other means.  OST Project Files can be used for importing On-Screen Takeoff quantities into some estimating programs.

Send a Bid Package

There are three ways to send a Bid Package:

• By e-mail
• To file
• Via Project Express (recommended)

By e-mail

• Click Send > Complete Package > By e-mail - the Create Bid Package dialog appears
• Select either Yes or No to Send Images

The page Range is available if "Send Images" is set to "Yes".

• Choose to send All Pages, Pages with Takeoff, or Custom Select Images
• Click the Create button, the Export Bid to Package dialog box

If Custom Select Images is selected, the Select Images window displays

• Uncheck the images you do not wish to send

• Click OK, the default e-mail application opens and a new message is created with the Bid Package attached

• Add appropriate recipients and click Send

To File

A Bid Package can be exported to a file for attaching to a web-based e-mail provider, network transfer, or copying to a thumb drive.

• Click Send > Complete Package > To file - the Create Bid Package dialog appears as above
• Select either Yes or No to Send Images

The page Range is available if "Send Images" is set to "Yes"

• Choose to send All Pages, Pages with Takeoff, or Custom Select Images
• Click the Create button -the Export Bid to Package dialog appears

• Browse to the location where you want to save the export file
• Type a name in the file name field

• The File name in the Export Bid to Package dialog defaults to '[Bid Number][Bid Name][mmddyyyy].osp' and can be renamed as needed.  The default location is the Package Folder under Tools > Options > Folders.

• Click Save

If you selected Custom Select Images, the Select Images window displays - follow the instructions above for selecting/previewing pages to include in the Bid package.

The Bid Package is saved in the specified location.

Via Project Express

Projects can be sent/received using Project Express which is a built-in file management tool.  See the next section, Project Express for detailed information regarding this option.

manually create a Bid Package or OST File

• From the Bids or Image Tab, click File > Export, or right-click on the Bid when viewing the Bids Tab,
• Choose the type of export to create and follow the screens to create the file
• A Takeoff File only includes the takeoff and Cover Sheet information
• A Bid Package can include the Images

Exporting the Bids, Takeoff, and Worksheet Tabs