How to find construction & facilities government bids
New buildings, renovations, roads and utilities work, plus the recurring services that keep public buildings running: janitorial, grounds, HVAC and trades. Who buys it, how it is bought, what to watch in the solicitation, and where the open bids are now.
Facts checked
Open bids right now
BidRover is tracking 3,633 open bids in construction & facilities. Where they are:
- United States · 1,255
- Switzerland · 671
- Canada · 394
- Germany · 383
- United Kingdom · 191
- New Zealand · 141
- Ukraine · 110
- Ireland · 106
- Construction of Golf Maintenance BuildingMassachusetts, United States · Due Oct 29, 2026
- Fire Alarm and Sprinkler System UpgradeMassachusetts, United States · Due Oct 22, 2026
- r integrated pest management services for the Arlington Housing AuthorityMassachusetts, United States · Due Oct 22, 2026
- 26-52 Oil Hydraulic Elevator Improvements - Police HeadquartersMassachusetts, United States · Due Oct 22, 2026
- 26-53 Oil Hydraulic Elevator Improvements - Thompson Elementary SchoolMassachusetts, United States · Due Oct 22, 2026
- COC-CIFB-FY27-31196: 689 Mass Ave Roofing ReplacementMassachusetts, United States · Due Nov 5, 2026
Who buys it
- State departments of transportation and general services
- Cities, counties and school districts
- Public universities and housing authorities
- Development banks funding works abroad
How it is bought
Most public construction is bought by sealed bid (an invitation to bid, or IFB): the award goes to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder, and bids are opened publicly at a stated time. Larger or complex jobs increasingly use design-build or construction-manager-at-risk (CMAR), which are awarded on qualifications and price together.
Facilities services such as janitorial, landscaping and HVAC maintenance are usually multi-year service contracts, often with optional renewal years, so a single award can tie up a territory for three to five years. Watching for re-bids a few months before an incumbent's term ends is the main way in.
What to watch in the solicitation
- 01
Bonding
Bid bonds (a percentage of the bid) are common, and federal construction over $150,000 requires performance and payment bonds under the Miller Act. Most states have their own "Little Miller Act" thresholds.
- 02
Prevailing wage
Federally funded construction over $2,000 carries Davis-Bacon wage rates, and many states and cities set their own prevailing-wage rules. Price labor from the wage determination attached to the bid.
- 03
Licensing and pre-bid meetings
Contractor licenses are issued by each state, and some bids make the pre-bid site visit mandatory. Missing it can disqualify an otherwise low bid.
- 04
Domestic content
Infrastructure paid for with federal funds generally falls under Build America, Buy America requirements for iron, steel, manufactured products and construction materials.
Codes and search terms
Federal notices are classified by NAICS code, so register and search under the codes that describe your work. BidRover classifies this category into the subcategories below, which are also good search terms on any portal.
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| 236220 | Commercial and Institutional Building Construction |
| 237310 | Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction |
| 238220 | Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors |
| 561210 | Facilities Support Services |
| 561720 | Janitorial Services |
| 561730 | Landscaping Services |
- Commercial construction
- Heavy civil construction
- Road & bridge construction
- Utility construction
- Building renovation
- Facilities management
- Building maintenance
- Janitorial & custodial
- Landscaping & grounds
- HVAC & mechanical systems
- Electrical contracting
- Plumbing services
- Roofing services
- Fire protection & life safety
- Elevator services
- Pest control
- Demolition & abatement
- Fencing & gates
- Painting & coatings
Other category guides
Questions
How are public construction contracts usually awarded?
Most go to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder through a sealed invitation to bid. Design-build and construction-manager-at-risk projects are the main exception: they weigh qualifications alongside price.
Do I need a bond to bid on public construction work?
Often, yes. Many solicitations require a bid bond, and federal construction contracts over $150,000 require performance and payment bonds under the Miller Act. States set their own thresholds, so check the bid's bonding section.
Where do facilities maintenance contracts get posted?
On the buying agency's own portal: state e-procurement systems for state buildings, and city, county or school district bid pages for local ones. BidRover reads many of those portals and lists them in one search.