As a contractor, you will likely bid on work for both private entities as well as municipalities/government enties. While the end goal may be the same – to win the project – the processes, requirements, and nuances of each type of bidding can vary significantly. In this article, we will explore the key differences between bidding on construction work for a municipality versus a private company.

Procurement Process
The procurement process for government/municipal projects is typically more formal and regulated than for private projects. Government projects are subject to various laws and regulations that dictate how the procurement process should be conducted. Typically, the procurement process will involve the publication of a Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Quote (RFQ), which outlines the scope of work, specifications, and requirements for the project. Bidders are required to submit a proposal that complies with the requirements outlined in the RFP/RFQ. In contrast, the procurement process for private projects is often less formal, with bidding taking place through informal conversations, requests for quotes, and negotiations.

Prequalification Requirements
Government projects may require contractors to go through a prequalification process before they are allowed to bid on a project. The prequalification process involves providing detailed information about the company’s experience, financial status, and other relevant information. The purpose of prequalification is to ensure that only qualified contractors are allowed to bid on the project. Private projects may also have prequalification requirements, but they are typically less formal.

Contract Requirements
Contracts for government/municipal projects are typically more complex and detailed than for private projects. The contracts for government projects will often include clauses that outline the requirements for compliance with various laws and regulations, such as the Davis-Bacon Act, which requires contractors to pay prevailing wages to workers on government projects. The contracts for government projects may also include clauses that dictate the use of specific materials, equipment, or methods. Private project contracts may also include these requirements, but they are typically less stringent.

Payment Process
The payment process for municipal projects is often more regulated than for private projects. Government projects may require the contractor to submit detailed documentation to support payment requests, such as certified payroll records and material receipts. Government projects may also require progress payments and retainage, which is a percentage of the contract amount that is held back by the owner until the project is complete. Private projects may also have a payment process, but it often does not require the same level of documentation.

Competitive Bidding
Government/municipal projects are typically awarded through a competitive bidding process. The bidding process involves multiple contractors submitting proposals, and the owner selecting the proposal that best meets its needs based on various criteria, including cost, experience, and qualifications. Private projects often involve fewer bidders and less emphasis on cost.

Bid Security
Government/municipal projects may require bidders to provide bid security, which is a form of collateral that ensures the contractor will enter into a contract if their bid is accepted. Bid security may take the form of a bond, certified check, or letter of credit. It is less common for this to be required for private projects.

Bonding Requirements
Government/municipal projects often require contractors to provide various types of bonds, such as performance bonds and payment bonds. Performance bonds ensure that the contractor will complete the project in accordance with the contract, while payment bonds ensure that the contractor will pay subcontractors and suppliers.

So bidding on construction work for a municipality/government entity versus a private company is much more complex. It can involve significant differences in the procurement process, prequalification requirements, contract requirements, payment process, competitive bidding, bid security, and bonding requirements. As a contractor or subcontractor, it is important to understand these differences when deciding whether to bid on a project and how to approach the bidding process.

For government/municipal projects, it is essential to carefully review the RFP/RFQ and ensure that the proposal meets all the requirements outlined in the document. It is also important to be prepared to provide detailed information about the company’s experience, financial status, and other relevant information during the prequalification process. Contractors must be willing to comply with the various laws and regulations governing the project and be prepared to provide the necessary documentation to support payment requests.

Regardless of the type of project, contractors must be prepared to compete with other bidders and demonstrate why their proposal is the best fit for the project. This may involve highlighting the company’s experience, qualifications, and ability to complete the project on time and within budget.

One way to make sure your job bids are up to par is to use ProfitDig. Once you have the system set up, you use your preconfigured bid items to build out your bids. Existing bids can be cloned an unlimited number of times. You can create a job bid as a template and then clone it to create bids for other jobs. The bidding process is hard, so the more efficient you are, and the better you understand your numbers, the more successful you will be at winning jobs.