What We Review in a Public Bid Package

Bid bond requirements and approved surety list

Federal and many state projects require the surety to appear on the Treasury Circular 570 approved list. Bonds from non-approved sureties can void the bid.

Performance and payment bond amounts and timing

Performance and payment bonds are typically required within 10 days of contract award. Failure to provide them can forfeit the bid bond and the contract.

General liability limits and policy form

Required limits vary widely by project. A $1M limit on a project requiring $2M per occurrence creates a real gap.

Umbrella or excess liability coverage

Umbrella requirements are often set at $5M to $10M for larger projects. COIs frequently show $2M, which is the most common coverage gap we find.

Additional insured language and endorsements

Owners and architects often require primary and noncontributory additional insured status. If the endorsement is missing from the COI, the agency may require a corrected certificate before contract execution.

Waiver of subrogation requirements

Required on most public construction contracts. Must appear on the COI and often on the actual policy endorsement.

Workers' compensation and employer's liability

Workers' compensation is required by statute, but employer's liability limits and any USL&H or Jones Act endorsements may also be required depending on the scope of work.

COI comparison against stated requirements

We compare your uploaded COI directly against the insurance exhibit in the bid package and flag every line that appears to fall short of what the project requires.

Liquidated damages provisions

Liquidated damages are assessed per calendar day beyond substantial completion. Rates range from $500 to $5,000 per day on typical public projects. These should be priced into the schedule risk before submitting.

Retainage terms and release conditions

Standard public contracts retain 5% to 10% of each progress payment until substantial completion. Some contracts reduce retainage upon reaching 50% complete.

Warranty obligations and duration

Specialty trades often face extended warranty requirements. Roofing contractors commonly face 20-year manufacturer warranties plus separate contractor workmanship warranties.

Closeout document requirements

Final payment is typically held until all closeout documents are submitted: as-builts, O&M manuals, warranties, lien waivers, and any training documentation.

Submittal requirements and deadlines

Shop drawings, product data, and samples may be due within 30 days of award. Late submittals delay the project and can create liability for delay damages.

Payment timing and conditions

Public owners typically process payments on a 30-day cycle. Certain contract clauses can extend payment timing or condition payment on completion of specific milestones.

Site access and security requirements

School districts, correctional facilities, and military installations often require background checks, badging, and worker registration before mobilization.

Change order process and written authorization

Most public contracts require written authorization before performing any work beyond the original scope. Verbal authorizations are generally not enforceable.