Opening and checking an ONLV file without tendering software
With the tender or the contract, the bill of quantities (LV) often arrives as an ONLV file. A double-click does not help much without tendering software. This page explains what the file contains, how it can be opened and how to read and check the LV in simmpel AVA.
What an ONLV file contains
ONLV is the bill of quantities in the data exchange format of ÖNORM A 2063. Technically it is an XML file whose tags describe work sections, sub-sections and items. Each item has an item number (OZ), short text, long text, unit and LV quantity; in a priced LV (bid, contract) it also has the unit price. The file also holds the preliminary notes and header data such as project, client and contractor or bidder.
How ONLV and ONRE work together and how the invoice check runs is described on the page Checking ONLV and ONRE under ÖNORM A 2063. This page covers the first step: making the LV readable at all.
Three ways to open an ONLV
A text editor or the browser shows the content as XML – enough for a quick look at a single item. With an LV of several hundred items, however, you soon lose track, and there are no totals.
Tendering software reads the file completely, but it is built for tendering, award and billing and needs a licence – often more than you need for reading an LV now and then. Some vendors offer separate programs just for viewing.
simmpel AVA – currently in its pilot phase – reads the ONLV in the browser, without installation. The LV appears as a table showing the work section and sub-section of each item, and the figures are ready for checking the invoices that follow.
Reading and checking the LV in simmpel AVA
After the upload, all items are listed in one table. You search by OZ or short text, narrow the list to a work section or item type and see the total of the standard items shown. Long texts can be expanded per item; the preliminary notes are kept with the imported file.
Items without an LV quantity or with an unsuitable unit often stand out as you read through. Once partial invoices arrive, simmpel AVA checks every item against the LV quantity – see Checking a partial invoice as site supervision and, for when overruns become critical, Quantity overrun above 20 % and price adjustment.
The imported file is stored unchanged and can be downloaded again at any time; the LV itself can be exported as Excel or PDF.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need tendering software to open an ONLV?
No. A text editor will do for a first look; for clear reading and checking there is simmpel AVA in the browser, currently in its pilot phase. You still need tendering software to draw up an LV yourself or prepare a bid.
Which file extension does an ONLV have?
Usually .onlv. simmpel AVA accepts files with the extension .onlv or .xml if they contain a bill of quantities in the XML format of ÖNORM A 2063.
Are long texts and preliminary notes shown?
Yes. A click on the arrow in the row opens the long text of the item; the preliminary notes are listed with the imported file under “LV files”.
Can I also change the LV?
LV quantity, unit price and short text can be changed in a version, each change with a reason – as far as the file safely allows. The original file stays unchanged, and the version can be exported as ONLV again.
Pilot phase – access by invitation only
simmpel AVA is currently being trialled with selected organisations. Sign in here with your invitation.