Annual Registration Fee to Bid on Public Works

Well folks, times they are a changing.  As of July 1, 2014,  California’s DIR launched a new Public Works Contractor Registration Program.  Contractors wishing to bid on public works projects will need to register online and submit a non-refundable $300 annual fee.  This is not discretionary and the DIR will be maintaining a database to ensure that all awarding bodies will be able to comply with the requirement to use only qualified contractors and subcontractors. You read that correctly. If you are not registered to bid on public works projects in CA, you will not be able to do so!

Implementation dates of the new program are as follows:

Additional information about the DIR program:

1. In addition to registering online and paying the annual fee, there are minimum qualifications for working on public works projects.
   • The contractor must have workers compensation coverage for employees and may only use subcontractors who are registered public works contractors
   • If applicable to the trade, the contractor must have a valid Contractors State License Board license
   • The contractor cannot have any outstanding unpaid wage or penalty assessments due to any employee or agency
   • The contractor cannot be under debarment and cannot have recent violations of program registration requirements
2. The registration fee is not related to any project. It is similar to a driver’s license in that it entitles the registrant to bid on and perform public works.
3. The DIR will publish and maintain a list of program registrants on their website. Awarding agencies will be able to search this list and use only registered contractors and subcontractors in order to comply with the new requirement.
4. There are various protections built into the program so that:

• • Contractors working on a private job that is later determined to be public work will not be penalized;
  • Inadvertent listing of an unregistered subcontractor on a bid does not necessarily invalidate the bid;
  • A contract with an unregistered contractor/subcontractor is subject to cancellation but will not be considered void with respect to past work;
  • Unregistered contractors/subcontractors who were inadvertently awarded the contract can be replaced with those who are registered;
  • Contractors with lapsed registration will be given a 90 day grace period to pay late fees and renew their registration.

We know that we just threw a lot of facts at you but we want you to be prepared.  If you intend to continue doing prevailing wage work it is very important that you go the DIR website and register.  This $300 non-refundable fee ensures that you and your company will be able to continue bidding on these prevailing wage jobs.  As always, please call us with any questions.

Register Online                 Get Program Fact Sheet