The Iowa Department of Transportation maintains and develops the state’s transportation infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and public transit systems. Bidding on jobs with the IDOT can provide new opportunities for contractors hoping to expand their business in the public sector.
Whether you’re new to the Iowa DOT bid letting process or need a refresher, this guide will help you qualify and win the projects you want.
What is bid letting with the Iowa DOT?
Bid letting is when the Iowa DOT publicly opens and reviews bids from contractors for transportation projects, such as interstates, maintenance projects, and primary and secondary road work. The process aims to ensure contracts are awarded fairly to the most qualified bidders.
The Iowa DOT typically schedules bid lettings on specific dates published well in advance. This gives contractors time to prepare and submit their bids.
See the “Letting Schedule Critical Dates” document for 2024-2026. The DOT also advertises letting dates in the Des Moines Register.
Bid Letting Process Overview
In a nutshell, the Iowa DOT bid letting process involves accepting and evaluating bids from contractors for transportation-related jobs. The goal is to award contracts with fairness and transparency. Here’s the general process:
- The Iowa DOT announces projects ready for bidding.
- Contractors bid on the projects they want to win.
- The DOT opens and publicly reads the bids on bid letting dates.
- The DOT evaluates the bids based on specific criteria.
- Contracts are awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidders.
Who can qualify to bid on Iowa DOT projects?
Contractors must meet specific criteria to qualify for bidding on projects with the Iowa DOT. Prerequisites include basic licensing and certification, financial stability, surety bonds, and experience with similar types of work.
See the Contracts – Letting Process page on the Iowa DOT website for specific information and instructions for requesting eligibility to bid and how to pass prequalification.
Steps to Qualify for Iowa DOT Bid Letting
Qualifying to bid on Iowa DOT projects involves several steps, each requiring careful preparation. Here are some details to keep in mind. See the Iowa DOT Letting Process page for complete instructions and links to all necessary forms.
1. Request Eligibility to Bid
You must become an eligible bidder before you can submit a bid. Here’s the general process.
- You must submit your request and Bidder Status Form by noon the day before the letting.
- If you’re a prime contractor, you must become authorized to submit bids by Contracts on the Bid Express Website (under “Request Bidder Eligibility”).
- Make sure you have a Vendor ID. Contact the Iowa DOT’s Contract Bureau if you don’t.
- Report the total amount of incomplete work you subcontracted to others.
- Mark “Confidential?” as NO when you request bidder eligibility.
- If your request is approved, your name will appear on a list of eligible bidders!
Your business must have the resources to complete the work outlined in a proposal. The Contracts Bureau will determine your bidding capacity for an upcoming letting.
2. Pass the Prequalification Process
Any prospective bidder wishing to qualify to bid as a contractor must complete Form 650004 and submit it at least five days before the letting date. Read the form and follow its instructions carefully. To submit a bid, your business must be engaged in the same class of work.
The following types of work are excluded from prequalification requirements. Instead, you must submit a Contractor’s Qualified Bidder Statement.
- Granular surfacing
- Building demolition
- Lighting
- Pavement markings
- Clearing and grubbing
- Salvage and removal
- Mowing
- Well
- Furnishing materials
- Traffic signals
- Designated small business initiative contracts
See Section 1102: Proposal Requirements and Conditions for specific prequalification requirements in the above categories.
Preparing and Submitting Your Bid
Once pre-qualified, you must prepare and submit an electronic bid using the Bid Express website (BidX). Send a “Submission of Electronic Bids” form to the Contracts Bureau using your digital ID. You’ll find instructions on obtaining a digital ID (if you don’t already have one) and how the online bidding process works on Bid Express.
See the “BidX Questions and Addendums” document for answers to frequently asked questions about the software.
Bid Openings and Award of Contracts
Bids will be received up until the deadline. Then, they are reviewed for responsiveness. Apparent bid results will be posted on Bid Express about half an hour after the deadline.
The DOT generally awards the contract to the lowest responsive bidder within 30 days. Contractors may receive state projects within a week. City and country projects are sent to local jurisdictions and are awarded from there. You must supply a contract bond when you win a contract.
Remember, the qualification process takes time and effort, so start early and don’t hesitate to seek professional assistance. Following the steps outlined in this guide, you can position your company to take advantage of the many opportunities available through the Iowa DOT.
Contract Bonds for Iowa DOT Projects
ZipBonds is ready to help you navigate any surety bond requirements and ensure you’re fully prepared to win those DOT contracts. Contact us any time by phone or email. Or visit our website to apply for your bond directly online. We’ll help you get bonded in a snap!