Topic specific documents, forms, and templates are available for download and included at the bottom of the page for your convenience. These files are also available for download in the comprehensive Document Guide.
This site is dedicated to capital projects topics and resources, including links to various presentations, reports, request documentation, and information relative to each biennium. Project evaluation criteria, project type definitions and decision matrix, design consultant selection process, project implementation responsibilities and anticipated durations, policies related to delegated project authority, project request documentation requirements, and a request form seeking project status updates are located and organized here.
Capital projects are executed under two separate construction authorities, based on funding source(s). There are four types of capital projects executed under the authority of the State of Wisconsin Building Commission, and there is a fifth type of capital project executed under the authority of the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, outlined and defined below. Projects funded entirely with non-state funding (Gifts and Grants) are executed under the UW Board of Regents authority and projects funded with any portion of state funding (bonding or cash) are executed under the WI State Building Commission authority.
Projects Pages

Capital Project Authorities
WI Project Matrix
The matrix below illustrates various policy and procedural references governing state construction projects, including State Statutes and Division of Facilities Development and Management (DFDM) publications. The intent is to provide a thumbnail reference for all construction projects, regardless of funding source or budget level. This simplified reference tool intentionally shows the narrowest interpretation/path of least resistance and is not intended to replace the source or reference documentation. Users should familiarize themselves with the following publications to understand the nuances and finer details of state construction projects:
- Wisconsin Statutes, Chapter 16
- DFDM's “Capital Budget Manual” (current edition)
- DFDM's “Small Projects Guideline”
- DFDM's "Small Projects Simplified (Bidding) Procedures"
Construction¹ Project Decision Matrix
STATE PROJECT REQUIRED | ||||||||
$0-5K | $5-30K | $30-50K | $50-300K | $300-760K | $760K-3M | $3-5M | >$5M | |
Purchase Order | ||||||||
Small Project | A, D, E | B, D, E | D | |||||
All Agency Project | D | C, D | ||||||
Major Project | C, D | |||||||
DELEGATION | ROUTINE STATE PROJECT and PROCESS | |||||||
Green Light - Proceed. | ||||||||
Yellow Light - Proceed with Caution. Special Considerations and Criteria may apply. | ||||||||
Red Light - Stop. Do Not. Proceed. |
Cautionary Notes
- Can request delegation through the Small Projects Program. Solicited bids are acceptable, advertised bids are optional. Construction contract optional or limited trades² work. Limited trades (replacement in kind) work can be accomplished through a purchase order.
- Can request delegation through the Small Projects Program. Solicited bids are acceptable, advertised bids are optional. Construction contract required.
- New construction, utility expansion/extension, and significant remodeling >$1M require enumeration and Major Project Request. Maintenance, repair, renovation, and minor remodeling <$3M do not require enumeration and should be handled through the All Agency Projects Program.
- Effective January 1, 2017, the administration of state prevailing wage on state building projects will transition from the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) to the Department of Administration/Division of Facilities Development and Management (DOA/DFDM). Prevailing hours of labor will be determined by Wis. Stats. 16.856(1)(e) and prevailing wage rates will be as determined by the U.S. Department of Labor 40 U.S.C. 3142 for publication in the applicable project bidding documents. For projects bidding after January 1, 2017, new prevailing hours of labor and prevailing wage rates will be required on applicable projects; and will require using new front end bidding document templates and a new form to request prevailing wage rate determinations from DOA/DFDM.
- DFDM construction "simplified bid" is not the same as procurement "simplified bid". DFDM recommends using their construction contract (or similar document) and soliciting at least three bids or proposals for projects costing between $25-50K.
Footnotes
- ""Construction work" includes all labor and materials used in the framing or assembling of component parts in the erection, installation, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, conversion, razing, demolition or removal of any appliance, device, equipment, building, structure or facility." - Wisconsin Statutes § 16.87(1)(a)
- ""Limited trades work" means the repair or replacement of existing equipment or building components with equipment or components of the same kind, if the work is not dependent upon the design services of an architect or engineer, and does not alter or affect the performance of any building system, structure, exterior walls, roof or exits, or the fire protection or sanitation of the building. "Limited trades work" includes decorative and surface material changes within a building and minor preventive maintenance to ancillary facilities such as drives, sidewalks, and fences.” - Wisconsin Statutes § 16.70(7)
Document Details
Capital Project Charter
Description: A tool to articulate an operational framework for capital project roles, responsibilities, authority, approvals, communication protocol and strategy, deadlines, goals, and objectives. This document works in tandem with the Capital Project Request (CPR) and the Project Budget Worksheet (PBW) to define a capital project.
Purpose: To ensure a common understanding of the capital project, how it will be implemented, and to clarify key stakeholders roles and authority. Required for all projects costing more than $3 million or with multiple stakeholders.
Audience: UW System Administration, Division of Facilities Development and Management, Architectural/Engineering/Planning Consultants.
Revision ID: Rev 2021-07
Guide or Sample
Capital Project Request (CPR)
Description: Universal project request document for all capital project types (All Agency, Instructional Space, Minor, Major, and UW Managed).
Purpose: Describes project intent, scope, justification, budget estimate, schedule, and design consultant requirements for maintenance and repair, remodeling, renovation, and/or new construction valued at $300,000 or more. Posted to UWSA or WisBUILD websites to advertise for professional design consultants. Used as source documentation and basis for Agency Request document advanced to the Board of Regents (BOR) and State Building Commission (SBC) to seek construction authority.
Audience: UW System Administration, Division of Facilities Development and Management, Architectural/Engineering/Planning Consultants.
Revision ID: Rev 2021-10
Project Budget Worksheet (PBW)
Description: Worksheet to record capital project budget estimates for capital projects of all types, sizes, and funding sources.
Purpose: Details budget estimate for new construction area and renovation area(s), unit costs, special scope items and considerations, bid date and escalation, project overhead percentages. Includes unit cost estimates for new construction and renovation based on $/GSF; ability for detailed line item cost estimates using user defined unit cost methods, including lump sums; and project overhead costs including design services, contingency, project management fees, movable and special equipment allowances, and commentary notes.
Audience: UW System Administration, Division of Facilities Development and Management, Architectural/Engineering/Planning Consultants.
Revision ID: Rev 2022-07
Request for Architectural/Engineering/Planning Services (RFAEPS)
Description: Request seeking specific professional services for the pre-design, preliminary design, final design, bidding, and/or construction administration phases from the AEP Community. Includes selectable options for Basic Services and Supplemental Services. Articulates requested design options and phasing, cost estimating, planning and design documentation, and deliverable requirements.
Purpose: Details and describes the requested basic and supplemental services from the requesting UW Institution to the AEP Community for a specific capital project, including clarification notes and special requirements by category and type of services.
Audience: Architectural/Engineering/Planning Consultants, Division of Facilities Development and Management, UW System Administration.
Revision ID: Rev 2021-10