Minnesota Department of Transportation

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Bid Letting

Pre-letting (how to bid)

Step 1: SWIFT vendor registration

Vendors bidding on MnDOT projects must be registered as a Supplier with Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB), and have a SWIFT vendor ID. You will first be issued a registration number until your tax information can be verified by MMB, your registration number will then become your SWIFT vendor ID. Your SWIFT vendor ID will be used as your bidder ID with Bid Express. Your SWIFT vendor ID will be a 10 digit number with three-four leading zeros and five-six unique numbers.

Step 2: MnDOT vendor form

New vendors must complete a MnDOT vendor form (PDF) to be added to the MnDOT vendor table on Bid Express. Email completed MnDOT vendor forms to biddocsubmittal.dot@state.mn.us. You will be notified when your company information has been added to the Bid Express vendor table and when you are able to create your digital ID for electronic bidding on the Bid Express website.

Step 3: Bid Express subscription and digital ID creation

All bids must be submitted electronically via Bid Express. Vendors are directed to www.bidx.com to become a subscriber and to download the free Project Bids software used for electronic bidding.

You may create your digital ID for electronic bidding once you have been notified by MnDOT that you have been added to the Bid Express vendor table. Your bidder ID with Bid Express will be your 10 digit SWIFT vendor number.

After you have created your digital ID, MnDOT staff will contact you to verify your bidder request and submitted information (bidder ID, full legal company name, contact information, and name of authorized digital ID holder). Your digital ID will be activated once your bidder request has been approved. Vendors should allow about a week to get through the processes listed above prior to bidding (steps 1-3).

Step 4: Download software and electronic bid files from Bid Express

Once your digital ID has been activated, you will be able to download the free Project Bids software and electronic bid files from Bid Express. Electronic bid files are available once a project has been advertised for bid.

Step 5: View/purchase plans, proposals and plan holder lists

Electronic files for plans and proposals are available in PDF format via the E-Plan Room once a project has been advertised for bid. You are automatically added to the plan holders list once you purchase and download a plan and proposal. Plan holder lists are free.

Step 6: Addenda for current letting projects

Addendum notifications are sent to plan holders via the E-Plan Room. Addendum files are posted on Bid Express. Note:

  • MnDOT is not responsible for bidders receiving addenda unless they appear on the plan holders list.
  • You are responsible for acknowledging all addenda. Failure to acknowledge addenda will cause bid rejection. Addenda are acknowledged by downloading addendum files into your electronic bid file.
  • Addenda for current letting projects

Step 7: Review pre-letting information

Business requirements

All businesses who bid on construction or maintenance contracts must be registered with the Minnesota Office of the Secretary of State in order to do business in Minnesota.

Current bid items

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program

MnDOT's DBE program is an affirmative action program intended to level the playing field by providing contracting opportunities for small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. More about the MnDOT DBE Program.

Eligible bidders

Only eligible businesses can bid on MnDOT projects. Debarred businesses or persons are ineligible to bid on, subcontract for, or supply materials or services for any state, county, construction, maintenance or municipal project.

Equal Employment Opportunity

MnDOT's Equal Employment Opportunity Program ensures equal opportunity for employment in the construction trades on MnDOT projects regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital status and status with regard to public assistance.

Equal Pay Certificate of Compliance

The Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR) ensures that businesses seeking state contracts are in compliance with the Women’s Economic Security Act and have an approved equal pay certificate approved by the Commissioner of Human Rights. Certificates are required on contract in excess of $500,000 in accordance with Minnesota Statute 363A.44. More about equal pay certificate.

Fuel escalation

Human Rights Certificate of Compliance

The Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR) ensures that businesses seeking state contracts are in compliance with equal opportunity requirements, and issues certificates of compliance to those businesses that have an affirmative action plan approved by the Commissioner of Human Rights. Certificates are required on contracts in excess of $100,000 in accordance with Minnesota Statute 363A.36. More about Human Rights Certificate.

Prequalification

MnDOT has no prequalification requirements for submitting bids on construction projects.

Prevailing wage

Proposals contain prevailing wage information, specifically state and/or federal wage determination(s). If a project is financed in whole or in part with state and/or federal funds, a worker must be paid the higher of the two wage rates for the applicable classification(s) of labor. If a wage determination is modified or revised between the time the proposal goes on sale (advertised date) and the letting date, an addendum will be issued. A contractor must comply with the wage determination(s) that are incorporated into the proposal or incorporated through an addendum. For information or clarification about the prevailing wage requirements, please contact the MnDOT Labor Compliance Unit at 651-366-4204.

Proposal guaranty

All bids must include a proposal guaranty of five percent of the bid price. Proposal guarantees may be in the form of a bid bond, cashier's check or certified check.

Regulated activities

Some construction projects require special licenses or permits. Contact the appropriate agency for regulated activities you might encounter on a project.

Responsible Contractor

"Responsible contractor” means a contractor that conforms to the responsibility requirements in the solicitation document for its portion of the work on the project and verifies that it meets the following minimum criteria discussed in Minn. Stat. § 16C.285, Subd. 3.

Targeted Group Business (TGB) Program

MnDOT's Targeted Group Business Program provides certified targeted group businesses with increased access to solely state-funded contracting opportunities. The program is designed to significantly increase the number of certified targeted business firms who can bid on MnDOT projects. It identifies women and minority businesses and assists them in the state certification process. More about the TGB Program.

Tax identification numbers

Title VI

The Title VI Program ensures that all programs, services, activities and benefits are implemented without discrimination and with active inclusion of minority and protected class interests.

Veteran-Owned Small Business Program

MnDOT's Veteran-owned Small Business Program provides verified veteran-owned small businesses with increased access to solely state-funded contracting opportunities. The program is designed to significantly increase the number of verified veteran-owned small business firms who can bid on MnDOT projects. It identifies women and minority businesses and assists them in the state certification process. More about the Veteran-owned Small Business Program.

Step 8: Submit a bid via Bid Express

Complete your electronic bid file, acknowledge all addenda by importing addenda files if applicable, and submit bid using digital ID and password.