Wisconsin DSF Now Requires the Use of BIM on Certain Projects
July 7, 2009

Effective July 1, Building Information Modeling (BIM) is now required on certain construction projects by The Wisconsin Department of Administration, Division of State Facilities (DSF). The DSF recently completed its BIM guidelines and standards, which is now required on the following projects advertised on or after July 1:

• All construction (new and addition/alteration) with total project funding of $5 million or more;
• New construction with total project funding of $2.5 million or more; and
• Additions/alterations with total project funding or $2.5 million or more, including new addition costs of 50 percent or more of the total.

Though required only for the above-mentioned projects, the DSF also encourages the use of the BIM guidelines and standards on all projects.

The new guidelines and standards cover architectural/engineering (A/E) services in a design-bid-construct project delivery format. Some of the specific areas covered include the required use of BIM and 3-D software; model quality; work effort compensation schedule; and the expectations and relationship to the current A/E Policy and Procedure Manual.

According to data from the state's 2007-2009 biennium, the DSF made A/E selections for nearly 700 projects; less than 40 percent of which would have been required to use the new BIM criteria. According to information from the DSF, the value of implementation [of the guidelines and standards] is that although these projects make up only five percent of the count, they represent $700 million in making up 60 percent of the advertised budgets.

Currently, five projects over the $5 million threshold are up for A/E selection in the coming months, followed by 18 more in the next two years. Projects include the Department of Military Affairs, Department of Administration, Department of Corrections and the University of Wisconsin System.

The DSF is currently accepting comments, suggestions and feedback via an online forum available by CLICKING HERE.

CLICK HERE to read the DSF's report on the current state of BIM technologies and recommendations for implementation.

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