In one minute
- Public agencies must buy most construction work through open bidding, so a small firm with the right paperwork has a real shot.
- Start with smaller informal jobs: from $75,001 to $220,000 many agencies invite only contractors on their own list. Get on those lists first.
- Win on paperwork as much as price: a missed site walk, unsigned addendum or missing bond gets a low bid thrown out.
1. Get the basics in place
- A CSLB contractor's license in the right class for the work (for example C-10 electrical, C-39 roofing, B general building).
- DIR public works registration: $400 a year. See How to register with the DIR.
- Workers' compensation and general liability insurance. Agencies list the limits they require in each bid.
2. Get on agency bidder lists
Many San Diego County cities and school districts use California's informal bidding rules (CUPCCAA): jobs from $75,001 to $220,000 go out by invitation to contractors on the agency's own list. If you're not on the list, you never hear about them.
Each agency's sign-up is different and many renew every year. Our Agencies page shows how to get on 37 lists, and when.
3. Start small, or start as a subcontractor
- Smaller informal jobs often have lighter paperwork and fewer bidders.
- Job-order contracts (JOC) are multi-year on-call contracts, often a good fit for small firms. Watch for them under Coming soon on this week's list.
- Subcontract to a prime contractor. Go to pre-bid meetings to meet the primes who bid on the big jobs; it's how many small firms get their first public work.
4. Read the whole notice, then read it again
- The due date, time and place, and how bids must be delivered (sealed envelope, online portal). Late bids are returned unopened.
- Any mandatory site walk. See What is a mandatory site walk?
- The license class, bid security and bonds. See Bid bonds, explained.
- Every addendum, and acknowledge each one on your bid form.
5. Price it, submit it, learn from it
- Fill in every blank on the bid form. Agencies reject bids that are incomplete.
- Submit early: traffic, parking and front-desk lines have cost contractors jobs.
- After the opening, check the results: who won and at what price. It's the fastest way to learn the market. Our weekly list shows recent federal winners under Who won.
Common questions
Do I need to be certified as a small business?
Not to bid on most local jobs. Certification (for example the State's Small Business or Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise programs, and the City of San Diego's SLBE program) can give you an edge on jobs that set goals or preferences for them.
How many bids should I expect to lose?
Most. Even experienced contractors win a fraction of what they bid. Bid regularly on work that fits you, and use the results to sharpen your pricing.
Where do I find bids in my trade?
Every Monday, this week's list shows open bids, site walks and coming projects, sorted by trade. Sign up below to get it by email.
Mandatory site walks coming up
From this week's list. Tap one for the time, place and a reminder email.
General guidance for San Diego County public bids. Every agency sets its own rules: the bid's official notice is always the final word.