Public Works Construction Bid Checklist (Printable)

Paving, building, sewer and site work let by cities, counties and state agencies.

Before you decide to bid

Get the full plans, specifications and every addendum from the official source
Register as a plan holder if the buyer requires it to bid
Check prequalification or license requirements (some agencies prequalify contractors)
Attend the pre-bid meeting and site visit; note anything that differs from the plans
Send questions in writing before the question deadline
Line up subcontractor and supplier quotes early

Documents to gather

Contractor license for the work and the dollar size of the job
Bid bond, often 5% or 10% of the bid as the solicitation states
Confirm you can get payment and performance bonds if you win (often required on public jobs)
Certificate of insurance at the limits stated
Subcontractor list and DBE/MBE/WBE forms, if the bid asks for them
SAM.gov registration, if the job is federally funded
Signed bid form, non-collusion affidavit and any certifications in the package

Pricing

Fill in every bid item and unit price; check extensions and the total
Use the correct wage rates (prevailing wage or Davis-Bacon if the job requires them)
Include bonds, insurance, mobilization, traffic control and testing
Check the schedule and liquidated damages before you commit to a price

Submit

Use the exact bid form or price sheet the buyer gave; don't retype it
Sign every form that asks for a signature, by someone allowed to bind the company
Acknowledge every addendum on the form the solicitation names
Match the submission method: sealed envelope, e-bid portal or email, as the IFB says
Label a sealed envelope exactly as instructed (bid number, title, due date)
Deliver or upload before the deadline; late bids are usually rejected unopened
Keep a full copy of everything you submitted

After the opening

Attend or check the public bid opening, or ask for the bid tabulation
Note the winning price and winner for your next bid
If you win, have insurance certificates and bonds ready within the deadline the award letter gives

A general checklist of what public buyers commonly ask for. The solicitation and its addenda are the rules for each bid: follow them where they differ.

Public Works Construction Bid Checklist

Before you decide to bid

Documents to gather

Pricing

Submit

After the opening

Now find a construction bid to use it on