How to bid VDOT construction contracts: prequalification, CABB and Bid Express

The Virginia Department of Transportation advertises construction and maintenance contracts each month. VDOT says the advertisements are posted online and mailed to all prequalified vendors, and contractors then have the chance to bid.

1. Get prequalified

VDOT requires all contractors to be prequalified in order to submit a bid or proposal and perform work on VDOT-administered contracts. Prequalification is also required for first-tier subcontractors unless the contract says otherwise. Specialty items, service providers, engineers, consultants, manufacturers, suppliers and haulers are excepted under Section 105.06(c) of the Road and Bridge Specifications.

Apply through VDOT's online portal at least 60 calendar days before you want to bid as a prime or start work as a subcontractor; VDOT says review can take up to 60 days. VDOT assigns a level (Prequalified, Probationary, Conditional or Subcontractor Only), and the level can limit whether and how much you can bid as a prime. VDOT also reviews contractors' Contractor Performance Evaluation (CPE) scores from the previous five years at renewal.

VDOT's List of Prequalified Vendors is updated weekly. On the October 28, 2026 list we used, 327 Virginia-addressed firms held a current Prequalified or Prequalified (Probationary) level.

2. Watch the Construction Advertisement Bulletin Board (CABB)

CABB lists each advertised order with its let date, state project number, route, county or city, estimated value range or value, description, time limit and DBE/SWaM goals, plus notices and plan-holder lists. Our bids page reads CABB daily.

3. Bid electronically

VDOT lists Bid Express among its contractor tools for electronic bidding. Read each advertisement for the bid submission method, proposal guaranty and pre-bid requirements.

4. Bonds

Under Va. Code § 2.2-4337, transportation-related projects authorized under Title 33.2 that exceed $350,000 and are partly or wholly funded by the Commonwealth require performance and payment bonds in the full contract amount (the threshold for nontransportation public construction is $500,000).

Related: lien and payment bond deadlines · eVA registration.

Summary for general information, reviewed 2026-10-30. Not legal advice; check the source before relying on a deadline or threshold.