Frequently Asked Questions

Each Contract Letting has its information grouped
- Click on an individual Contract Letting for specific information
View the contents of each Contract Letting on its introductory page
- Such contents pertain to that Contract Letting specifically
Get the Important Letting Information
- Click on the Important Letting Information link- at the top of the Contract Lettings homepage
- We only include the latest changes
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Obtain prequalification packet provided on this website. It should be noted that the prequalification information must be filed in acceptable form ten (10) days prior to the letting you wish to bid.
Contractor Prequalification Package

Complete "Request for Bidding Proposal Forms" (R-125) available in each individual Contract letting.

Yes. The Planholders List is available beginning on the Friday two weeks prior to the letting.
Final update is Wednesday, the day before the letting.
The Planholders List is found in each Contract Letting and may be Viewed on line or Downloaded.

See each individual Contract Letting
- Read the Plan and Proposal Ordering Information sheet, or
- View a copy in the Notice to Contractors packet - available for each Contract letting

Contracts Office will provide this information as soon as possible after official action is taken. This may be viewed or downloaded from the post letting information page for each Contract letting.

What are common reasons for bids to be rejected?

Bid is not received at the place and time as indicated in the Notice to Contractors.
Someone signs either the Bid Bond or the Bid and is not authorized to do so on Page 20 or 21 of the prequalification package.
Bid Bond and Bid are not submitted in the envelopes provided by the Department.
The Bid Bond Form is not on the Original form provided by the Department or is a copy.
The Bid Bond is not completed and signed.
The Project Number on the Bid Bond does not agree with the Bid.

Failure to complete NDOR's procedures required for Internet Bidding prior to submitting the bid. (see Bidding Checklist)

How will I sign my bid over the internet?

Each bidder will acquire an encrypted digital signature to "sign" their bid prior to submittal. Each digital signature contains two parts: the private portion that the bidder uses and the public portion that will be held by NDOR. The bidder will sign the bid using their private key. BIDX holds the bids until the letting cutoff time. After that, NDOR will be able to receive all the bids where they will be opened and read publicly.

Is my internet bid secure from anyone looking at it prior to the letting?

Our relationship with BIDX will allow us to receive bids electronically through their website in a totally secure environment. Bidders need have no concern that someone will "open" their bid before the cut-off time of each letting. NDOR holds the public portion of the key so we can open the bid after the appointed time. BIDX does not have this key so they are unable to open any of the bids they are holding.

Is there a cost involved in using BidExpress (BidX)?

BIDX requires a monthly (or annual) subscription fee. This fee allows you to access all the data contained on the web site, including other states that also use BIDX. There is an additional fee for maintaining the encrypted bid signature. There is a one-time fee to obtain the digital signature. Each bidder that uses BidX will be required to have a separate private and public key for each state.

How will I submit my bid bond?

We will continue to accept the bid bond on our form (paper) as long as it is received in a NDOR provided envelope prior to the time of the letting. However, NDOR also is able to accept Annual Bid Bonds. Annual bid bonds may be obtained from the contracts office. Completed Annual bid bonds may be submitted up to five (5) days before a letting. When NDOR has approved the annual bid bond, a letter will be sent to the company.

Will Bidx accept my bid if I did not receive a proposal form?

Yes. Bidx does not control whether you have been issued a proposal form or not. However, if the bidder was not issued a proposal form by NDOR, the bid will be considered invalid.

Will BidX accept my bid if I am not a prequalified contractor?

Yes, BidX does not control if you are a prequalified contractor for that letting. The bid would not be valid.

Will BidX accept my bid if I am not authorized by NDOR to bid using BidExpress?

Yes, but the bid would not be valid. The contracts division must have a completed DR173 by 5:00 p.m. the day before the letting.