Public Notice
Electronic Bidding Update
Caltrans is pleased to announce that implementation of electronic bidding on highway construction contracts has begun. Caltrans has chosen the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Trns*port Expedite Bid software as its electronic bidding solution. Expedite is integrated with Info Tech's Bid Express Internet Bidding Service (Bidx) for the submittal of electronic bids through the Internet.
More information regarding Expedite Bid can be found at the Expedite product website at https://www.infotechfl.com/products/expedite.php. More information regarding Bidx can be found at the Bidx website at https://www.bidx.com. For more information regarding Caltrans electronic bidding please contact Chris Rice, at (916)227-6235 or Chris.Rice@dot.ca.gov.
Electronic Bidding Guide available here.DVBE Requirements
The Department of Transportation has implemented new DVBE goal setting procedures on its non-federal aid construction contracts over $250,000.
Effective March 21, 2011, state funded contracts advertised will have the following DVBE goals:
- $1 million and under 5% DVBE goals.
- $1 million and $5 million 3% DVBE goals.
- Over $5 million No goals. DVBE incentive provisions apply.
Bidders are cautioned to use certified DVBE firms performing commercially-useful functions on the contract in order to receive credit towards the DVBE goals or incentives.
Each contract advertisement, Notice to Bidders and Special Provisions contain the DVBE requirements.
If you have any questions about the DVBE goals, please submit a bidder's inquiry.
Attention contractors:
If you'd like to pull back your submitted bid to make corrections, make sure you fill out the latest signature card and fax it in to the bidder's exchange. We also have a new release of bid documents form to keep with your bid runner in the event that you need to revise a bid. Both files are available on our Contractor Info Table, under the Bid Opening column.Design-Build
Enter this site to view the Department's draft documents for the Design-Build Demonstration Program. Please submit your comments and questions.
If you need help with bonding, check out the Small Business Administration's Technical Assistance Bonding programs at www.sba.gov
Welcome to Office Engineer
Construction Contracting with Caltrans - How to submit a responsive bid
Take a look at our How to Submit a Responsive Bid presentation for a primer on the do's and don'ts of submitting a bid for a construction project. See lots of helpful tips for both new and seasoned contractors for submitting a better bid.
NEW! Electronic Bidding Training Announced
Caltrans will be providing electronic bidding training at multiple locations throughout the state of California, June 18 - 24, in Irvine, San Luis Obispo, Sacramento and Redding. Training dates and locations:
- Irvine June 18th, morning and afternoon sessions
- San Luis Obispo June 19th, afternoon session
- Redding June 21, morning session
- Sacramento June 24, morning and afternoon sessions
Caltrans and Bid Express Internet Bidding Service (Bidx) will also be providing electronic bidding webinars before Caltrans transitions into electronic bidding on all highway construction projects. The Bidx webinar will cover how the Bidx system works, how to register for Bidx, and how to use Bidx to submit your bids. Caltrans webinar will cover how to complete the electronic bid file before submitting it to Bidx.
The Bidx webinar is scheduled for Tuesday, June 25 from 9 AM to 10 AM. Sign up for the Bidx webinar here
The Caltrans webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, June 26 from 9 AM to 11 AM. Please contact Chris Rice at Chris.Rice@dot.ca.gov. or (916)227-6235 to sign up for the Caltrans webinar.
Caltrans has begun implementation of electronic bidding on highway construction contracts. Caltrans has chosen the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Trns*port Expedite Bid software as its electronic bidding solution. Expedite is integrated with Info Tech's Bid Express Internet Bidding Service (Bidx) for the submittal of electronic bids through the Internet.
More information regarding Expedite Bid can be found at the Expedite product website at https://www.infotechfl.com/products/expedite.php. More information regarding Bidx can be found at the Bidx website at https://www.bidx.com For more information regarding Caltrans electronic bidding please contact Chris Rice, at (916)227-6235 or Chris.Rice@dot.ca.gov.
Electronic Bidding Guide
Electronic Bidding Guide available here.
The new 2010 Standards are up
The new 2010 standards are published and in use. Please take a moment to review the new format of specifications, take a look at the quick guide for an overview of the changes, and view training materials. The 1st projects using the 2010 standards will be advertised in early 2012. It is expected that most if not all projects advertised in 2013 will use the 2010 standards.
Award Status Tool
We have a new tool available to help our bidders track their projects as they progress through award in our office. Our Award Status Search Tool will let you know what award milestones have and haven't been met on any contract that we're currently processing. Questions? Comments? Let us know what you think.
Take back your bid for edits
We allow bidders to take back a bid for edits, if they need to correct a price for a last-minute quote, or make other changes. On our contractor info page, we have a Contractor Signature Card, which will be kept on file in our Bidder's Exchange. The bid runner can then carry a release form for each bid they're submitting, in the event that the bid needs to be recalled for edits. If you have any questions about how this works, let us know.
Quick Reference Brochure for Contractors
Get a quick reference guide on where to get information on bidding caltrans projects, getting bid results, and doing business with Caltrans here.
Caltrans Bidders' Exchange
Our Plans Counter is at 1727 30th Street in Sacramento (the Farmer’s Market III building).
The Caltrans Bidders' Exchange has several paper copies of each advertised contract on hand for viewing. We will not sell paper copies of bid documents. However, we assist bidders with basic questions about finding bidding opportunities and bidding basics and navigating our website. Our Bidders' Exchange can answer 95% of the questions you have about finding and bidding contracts. Contract specific technical questions will continue to be handled through the bidder inquiry process.
I'm the low bidder, now what?
Take a look at our new presentation: "I'm the low bidder - now what?" This will guide you through various stages of our bid opening and award process. This is highly recommended reading for the new bidders, as well as those that have been doing business with us for years.
Calendar of bid openings
Our calendar of bid openings is availableCheck it out here. Click on any contract number to get project information for it. As always, feel free to drop us a line and let us know how we can better serve you.
Opt-in feature
We have feature that allows prime contractors to directly list what assistance they would like to have on projects they intend to bid. On our pages for advertised projects, clicking "advertise for help" allows prime contractors to list their contact information, items they need subs/suppliers/assistance on, and any special requirements they also have. Interested subcontractors and suppliers can view all prime contractors looking for help and contact them. We hope this service helps us better connect our contracting partners together and helps everyone in preparing bids and meeting goals.
Listen live to bid openings
We now have a teleconference line up for those that want to listen in by phone to our bid openings. Details on how to dial in are here.
Leave us feedback
We want to hear what you think of the Office Engineer page, how we're doing, and what we can do to improve our service to the contracting community. Drop us a note at our feedback page with your comments or suggestions. Suggestions can be anonymous, or if you'd like a response, leave an email address or telephone number and we'll get back to you.
We have a service available to let smaller contractors advertise their services to larger contractors. We're calling the service "Opt-in". To use the service, simply click on the Opt In link next to any of our advertised projects.
From there, fill in your business name and contact information, along with your disadvantaged business status and services or materials offered. You will show up on the list when prime contractors search non-bidders looking for suppliers or quotes. Note that this service does not guarantee any work, but it's a new way to give much-needed exposure to some of the smaller contractors wanting to do business with Caltrans.
Our bid item search tool is now online! Search advertised projects by either bid item work description or by item code numbers. See which projects fit your criteria, then see lists of prime or subcontractors also holding plans for that project.
Caltrans DES-OE Mission, Vision and Values*
A brief description of the who, what and why of Caltrans DES-OE.
Try our Project Look Ahead Database for information on upcoming projects. Create an account for automated emails when projects are added or modified, or get customized views for projects in your area. Export data for your own reporting needs and project workload forecasting.
Advertised Projects (Projects for Bid)
Provides a listing of newly advertised major highway construction projects, projects that have already advertised, and a tentative list of projects to be advertised. Contractors can view a list of bid items of projects advertised. It provides timely information on addenda, list of plan holders on projects out to bid, and awarded contracts.
Bidder Activity Summary Report
Monthly bidder activity summary in .pdf format.
Bids Opened and Awarded Contracts
Bid Results, Bid Summary and Bid Summary library information. Search for Awarded Contracts.
Contract Item Cost Data Summary and Coded Contract Item Lists
This is a tabulation of standard contract items (List of Basic Engineering Estimating System (BEES) Items) and reflects the averages of the low bidder's prices for those items.
Ready to List & Construction Contract Award Guide (RTL Guide)