Another question from Dan Crowley: Is the start date the same as the day on which a notice to proceed (NTP) was issued?  "For example, the project I'm covering had a NTP, or green light, to start work May 21. Would you consider that the estimated start date? Or is the start date simply the day the contractor says "We're beginning work" or plans to begin work?

Answer: We're looking for the project's status and actual start date, meaning when work  - design, surveying, or construction – starts. The notice to proceed is, as you call it, government’s green light on the project but the day the notice is issued isn’t necessarily the same day work starts. If the project is not in progress, we need you to find out if it’s been put out to bid or awarded to a contractor.

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