Learning About Bidding Opportunities - Guide to Finding Work

ADOT projects get funds from various sources, and sometimes a funding sources adds additional requirements to both bidding and completing contracts. These requirements are generally explained in each solicitation or contract advertisement. The most frequent funding sources are

• the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
• the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
• the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
• the State of Arizona.
• local governments (e.g., the City of Phoenix).

Design-bid-build is the typical path for most ADOT construction projects. In design-bid-build projects, ADOT or a consulting engineer first designs the project, then solicits bids and selects a construction firm (the lowest responsible bidder) to build it. A number of different paths for ADOT construction have been gaining popularity in recent years, called alternative delivery methods. Here are the three most common:

Design-Build (DB) — Design-build is a project delivery method that combines two, usually separate services into a single contract. With design-build procurements, owners execute a single, fixed-fee contract for both architectural/engineering services and construction. The design-build entity may be a single firm, a consortium, joint venture or other organization assembled for a particular project (FHWA 2014). Review this post on the ADOT website for more information.

Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) — The Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) project delivery method allows an owner to engage a construction manager during the design process to provide constructability input. The construction manager is generally selected based on qualifications, past experience or a best-value basis. During the design phase, the construction manager provides input regarding scheduling, pricing, phasing and other project components that helps the owner design a more constructible project. At an average of 60 percent to 90 percent design completion, the owner and the construction manager negotiate a guaranteed maximum price for the construction of the project based on the defined scope and schedule. If this price is acceptable to both parties, they execute a contract for construction services, and the construction manager becomes the general contractor. The CMAR delivery method is also called the Construction Manager/General Contractor (CMGC) method in some states (FHWA 2014). See this document put together by Campbell County, Wyoming and this post from ADOT for more details.

Public-Private Partnerships (P3) — Public-private partnerships (P3s) are contractual agreements formed between a public agency and a private sector entity that allow for greater private sector participation in the delivery and financing of public facilities (FHWA 2014). To learn more about them, visit the ADOT website.

ADOT construction contracts are developed by the Contracts and Specifications Section. The Contracts and Specifications section oversees the development, bidding, and awarding of construction contracts before handing them off to Resident Engineers or Construction Supervisors in the relevant ADOT Construction District to be carried out. Contracts and Specifications can be reached at 602.712.7221.

It’s important to know that, once a contract has been advertised, any questions about that project must be submitted in writing to the contract specialist assigned to that contract. For questions about specific advertised projects, you can find the necessary contact information within the advertisement.

Information about construction projects currently available for bid is available on the Current Advertisements page of the ADOT website. This page includes all of the information you need to bid on current projects. While the page can be viewed by anyone, ADOT requires prime contractors to prequalify before submitting a bid on a construction contract. See the construction Preparing to Bid guide for more information on construction prequalification. You can also register for updates, download project information and register as a Prime, Sub, or Subcontractor/Vendor for specific projects at this site.

Businesses working as subcontractors can use the same Current Advertisements page to identify companies that are plan holders for contracts out for bid.  Potential subcontractors should contact these prime contractors to inquire about submitting bids for these contracts.

Projects making use of an alternative delivery path such as a public-private partnership project can be found in the Contracts and Specifications section of the ADOT website under Advertised Alternate Delivery Projects.

Businesses can also learn about which firms are prequalified with ADOT by checking the prequalified contractors list on the ADOT website.

You can learn about upcoming projects in the Contracts and Specifications section of ADOT’s website under Future Projects.

Many, though not all, projects allow for online bid submission. BidExpress is the platform ADOT uses for online bidding. Having an account at BidExpress may allow you to receive emails about current and upcoming project that may interest you. Note that BidExpress is not a free service — it includes both a one-time fee for creating an account and a monthly fee to continue using their service to develop your bid and submit it online.

ADOT projects get funds from various sources, and sometimes a funding source adds additional requirements to both bidding and contract compliance. The most frequent funding sources are

• the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
• the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
• the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
• the State of Arizona.
• local governments (e.g., the City of Phoenix).

Generally, federal funding sources have more requirements than local sources. Contract requirements are generally explained in each solicitation or contract advertisement.

There are several different types of common architectural, design and engineering contracts. The three most common are

Project Specific Contracts — these contracts focus on providing services for particular specified projects (e.g., design an HOV lane).

On-Call Contracts — these contracts designate certain firms as “on-call” and allow ADOT to assign qualifying work to them where it would be impractical, unfeasible, or otherwise undesirable to go through the entire bidding process. While having an on-call contract can be advantageous, there is no guarantee that any work will actually be assigned to your firm as a result of the contract.

Supplemental Services Contracts — these contracts allow ADOT to hire individuals or firms to provide ancillary services, either in support of a project specific contract or a general ADOT need.

Architectural, design and engineering contracts are selected based on qualifications rather than price as required by a federal law called the Brooks Act. Engineering firms submit their qualifications for a project, ADOT selects the most qualified firm and then negotiates price with the winning firm.  A basic overview of the Brooks Act can be found on the ADOT website.

The Engineering Consultants Section (ECS) oversees architectural and engineering design contracts.  ECS also administers professional services contracts that are related to the construction or reconstruction of highways (because they are exempt from the State Procurement Code).  They oversee these contracts from beginning to end, although different ECS staff may be assigned to the contract at different stages.  ECS can be reached by phone at 602.712.7525.  For more contact information, see their staff contacts page.

It’s important to know that, once a contract has been advertised, any questions about that project must be submitted in writing to the contract specialist assigned to that contract. For questions about specific advertised projects, you can generally find the necessary contact information within the advertisement itself.

Businesses interested in bidding on architectural and engineering design services contracts can check on current and pending projects and a list of short-term upcoming projects in the Engineering Consultants section of the ADOT website.

Subconsultants who wish to work on design projects, can find consultants that are prequalified to do ADOT Design projects.  Companies on the prequalification list are the only firms eligible to submit Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) and to work as a Prime Consultant on ADOT Architectural & Engineering Design projects.

Potential Subconsultants can contact ECS at 602.712.7525 for a list of consulting firms that have expressed interest in advertised contracts and can contact those firms for bidding opportunities.

ADOT projects are funded from various sources. Sometimes a funding source adds additional requirements to both bidding and contract compliance. The most frequent funding sources are

• the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
• the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
• the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
• the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
• the State of Arizona.
• local governments (e.g., the City of Phoenix).

ADOT Procurement group procures goods and services contracts for ADOT, as well as on behalf of Local Public Agencies.  They may also generate Arizona Department of Administration contracts through the State Procurement Office for use by all state agencies. All pertinent contract information for these contracts can be found on the AZ Procurement Portal.

Non-architectural or engineering professional services and goods and services contracts are typically handled through the Procurement group. ADOT’s Procurement group manages all of ADOT’s ProcureAZ contracts from commodities to construction to goods and services. They can be reached by phone at 602.712.7211. For more contact information, see their staff contacts page.

It’s important to know that, once a contract has been advertised, any questions about that project must be submitted in writing to the Procurement Officer assigned to that contract. For questions about specific advertised projects, you can generally find the necessary contact information within the advertisement itself.

Support is also available from Arizona Procurement Portal by phone at 602.542.7600 or by email at [email protected].

Local Public Agencies (LPAs) are local agencies like cities, counties or tribal governments that use their own, state or federal funds for construction, design or goods and services contracts. Each type of funding source will have different requirements.  Generally, federal funding sources have more requirements than local sources.

State universities and the federal government also offer numerous bidding opportunities, which may also be funded with local, state and federal funds that have different requirements.  These requirements are generally explained in each solicitation or contract advertisement.

There are several different types of common professional services contracts and goods and services contracts available from Local Public Agencies (LPAs) and other sources. The requirements for these different types of contracts are generally explained in each solicitation or contract advertisement.   The most common contract types are

• Project Specific Contracts — these contracts focus on providing services for a specific individual project (e.g., conduct a research study).
• On-Call Contracts — these contracts designate certain firms as “on-call” and allow the agencies to assign qualifying work to firms when it would be impractical, unfeasible, or otherwise undesirable to go through the entire bidding process. While having an on-call contract can be advantageous, there is no guarantee that any work will actually be assigned to your firm as a result of the contract.
• Supplemental Services Contracts — these contracts allow the agencies to hire individuals or firms to provide ancillary services, either in support of a project specific contract or a general agency need.
• Materials Only Contracts — these contracts allow the agencies to obtain needed materials directly from suppliers rather than going through an intermediary.

Local Public Agency projects get funds from various sources, and sometimes a funding source adds additional requirements to both bidding and contract compliance. The most frequent funding sources are

• the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
• the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
• the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
• the State of Arizona.
• local governments (e.g., the City of Phoenix).

Generally, federal funding sources have more reporting, hiring and wage requirements than local sources.

The Business Engagement and Compliance Office (BECO) maintains links to most state and local agencies, including universities that may offer separate bidding opportunities. These links can be found in the BECO section of the ADOT website under Bidding Opportunities. 

Additionally, many federal bidding opportunities can be found at the Federal Business Opportunities website.

Contact information about each of these entities is listed on their websites.