Construction Law
Florida’s Construction Bidding Process Part 1
The ability to navigate the bid process is crucial for construction companies that want to thrive in this industry. After all, winning the right to work on a high-profile construction project can make or break any company in this industry. But each state has its own set of laws regulating this process, and Florida is no exception.
In this series, an attorney with our construction law firm discusses the Sunshine State’s bidding process. Below, we explore some state-specific laws that impact public construction projects. Read part two for information on how Florida contractors can successfully procure construction bids. For assistance with bid submittal and defense, consult a South FL contractor lawyer from Cotney Attorneys & Consultants.
Florida Law
Florida Statute 225.20 details the bidding requirements on public projects. To begin, public projects valued at over $300,000 ($75,000 for electrical work) must be competitively awarded to appropriately licensed contractors. For the purposes of this law, “competitively awarded” means an award determined by anonymous sealed bidding, which are “submitted in response to a request for proposal, proposals submitted in response to a request for qualifications, or proposals submitted for competitive negotiation.”
Licensing on Transportation Projects
For highway, road, bridge, street, or railroad projects valued at over $250,000, a government agency may require that interested contractors be certified or qualified. Specifically, a contractor can be rejected if they are “behind by 10 percent or more” on another of that agency’s public projects by the time requests are advertised. Consult an attorney if you are concerned that you are not properly licensed or qualified for a project you are attached to.
Laws like these are designed to ensure that the bidding process is fair and free of bias. When corruption seeps into the process and a government agency’s pick is biased, it’s grounds for a bid protest. As we move into part two, we’ll explore how construction companies can put themselves in the best position to win bids. If your company is having difficulty deciding to move forward with a bid protest, know that you don’t have to face this choice alone. For insight into whether or not your specific situation warrants a bid protest, consult the experienced team of South FL contractor lawyers from Cotney Attorneys & Consultants.
If you would like to speak with a South FL contractor lawyer, please contact us today.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.