Prevailing Wage Projects—Where do I begin?

by Clara DeRosier
Executive Manager

Have you thought about doing prevailing wage work but don’t know how to get started? This question has come up numerous times recently from MEA’s electrical contractors. The MN Dept of Transportation (MnDOT) has all of the resources that you need at the click of a button–you just need to know where to go. Members and staff of the MEA met with MnDOT to discuss how we can work together to help contractors learn the rules and regulations for bidding and completing prevailing wage work. Because the responsible contractor’s law makes no allowance for resolving simple mistakes, it is important that contractors know how to comply or it is 3 mistakes and you are banned from doing prevailing wage work.

MnDOT recommends contractors to allow at least one week lead time if you are new to bidding in order to obtain required approvals. Follow these steps:

(1)  Obtain a SWIFT vendor registration

  • Vendors bidding on MnDOT projects must be registered with MN Management and Budget to get a SWIFT vendor ID

(2)  Complete the MnDOT vendor form so you can be added to the MnDOT vendor table on Bid Express

  • You will be notified when your company info has been added to the table and then you will be able to create your digital ID for electronic bidding

(3)  Open an account with Bid Express and create a digital ID for electronic bidding

(4)  Download the software and electronic bid files from Bid Express

(5) View/purchase plans, proposals and plan holder lists

  • Electronic files for plans and proposals are available in PDF format via the MnDOT E-Plan Room once a project has been advertised for bid

(6)  Acknowledge addenda for current letting projects

  • Failure to acknowledge all addenda will cause bid rejection
  • Addenda are acknowledged by downloading addendum files into your electronic bid file

(7)  Review pre-letting information

  • Ensure you are up to date on any additional rules or regulations that affect prevailing wage projects

(8)  Submit a bid via Bid Express

  • Complete your electronic bid file, acknowledge all addenda by importing addenda files if applicable, and submit bid using digital ID and password

Read detail with links to all of the forms and info  you will need on the MnDOT website: www.dot.state.mn.us/bidlet/howtobid.html. Contact Nancy Boeve at 651-366-4243 for further guidance while getting started with the bidding process. She will be happy to help you and walk you through the process.