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
Electronic Bidding
Training materials are available here
Have a question about electronic bidding? Have a look at the Electronic Bidding F.A.Q. page.
Electronic Bidding Training Announced
Electronic bidding training announcement letter
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 webinars are scheduled for Tuesday, June 25 from 9 AM to 10 AM, and Thursday, June 27 from 9 AM to 10 AM. Sign up for the Bidx webinar here
The Caltrans webinars are scheduled for Wednesday, June 26 from 9 AM to 11 AM, and Friday, June 28 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.
Bid Express Help Desk
The Bid Express Help Desk can be reached at 1-888-352-2439
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 and Highway 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
Bidding forms
Caltrans Bidder DBE Commitment
Certified Small Business Listing for the Non-Small Business Preference form
Good Faith Efforts Documentation
Electronic Bidding checklist
Are you ready to submit your bid electronically? Make sure you have completed each of the items on the checklist:
- Receive your Bidder ID number
- To receive your Bidder ID number, you must submit a request for your Bidder ID to Office Engineer at MS43, OfficeEngineer, Department of Transportation, 1727 30th Street, Sacramento, CA, 95816-7005, or it can be faxed to (916)227-6282. The request for Bidder ID number must be on your company letterhead, and it must contain your full legal company name, address, phone number and fax number. For faster response, include an email address to which the Bidder ID number will be sent to.
- Establish a Digital ID
- When you have received your Bidder ID number, you can begin the process to establish your Digital ID. Your Digital ID is your electronic signature, it allows you to electronically submit your bid to Caltrans through Bidx. The Digital ID process can take several days, as notarized paperwork must be sent to Bidx before your Digital ID can be enabled. Follow the directions here to establish your Digital ID.
- Test your system, by submitting a bid
- When your Digital ID has been enabled you may submit a bid to Caltrans through Bidx to test your system. After verifying that your system works, you may withdraw your bid, or you may submit another bid, so that Caltrans does not see the first bid. If you have any issues with submitting your bid, you may contact the Bid Express Help Desk at 1-(888)352-2439.
Energy Crisis Information
It is possible that a power outage may occur during a Bid Opening. The following is a brief description of how the Bid Opening will be conducted in the event of a power outage. Please allot an appropriate amount of time for power related delays when submitting your bids. In the event of a power outage prior to Bid Opening (12:30 PM or later):
- Bids will be accepted until the specified bid opening date and time
- No additional time will be allowed for submitting Bids
- The public reading of the bids will be postponed until 4:00 PM on the date of bid opening
- If power has not been restored by 4:00 PM on the date of Bid Opening, the Department will reschedule the opening of bids for the following day
- Bid results will be made available on the Office Engineer website, as soon as possible, after power has been restored.
In the event of a power outage during a Bid Opening:
- The last project downloaded will be read, by flashlight if necessary
- The public will be escorted out of the building by Building Security
- Any projects remaining to be downloaded, will not be downloaded until power is restored
- Bid opening will resume at 4:00 PM, if power has been restored
- If power has not been restored by 4:00 PM on the date of Bid Opening, the Department will reschedule the opening of bids for the following day