Frequently Asked Questions

Question

Answer

Will MassDOT continue to offer plan CDs?

Effective for bid openings after April 1, 2017, Official Bidders will no longer receive CD distribution; as the information on the CD is posted on Bid Express. Informational Bidders will continue to receive the CD at this time.

Effective December 1, 2016:

MassDOT has initiated posting plans to the Online Plan Sheets Service on Bid Express.   In addition to the posting of plans, the proposal package (Contract Documents and Special Provisions (CDSP)) is posted as a document to the proposal letting similar to addendum posting in place today.  This implementation will eventually lead to the phasing out of the CD distribution.  It is intended that both the Online Plan Sheets Service and CD distribution will be used in parallel for a period of time after which time the CD distribution will cease. 

How will MassDOT know who the authorized bidders are at my company to setup our Digital ID?

Part of the process to allow a company to submit bids online includes the creation of a Digital ID. In order to obtain a Digital ID, each company must provide the name(s) of their authorized bidders in a letter addressed to:

MassDOT Bid Document
Distribution Center
MassDOT, Highway Division
10 Park Plaza, Room 6261
Boston, MA 02116

The letter must be on company letterhead and needs to be signed by a company officer. This information will be filed and recorded in order to facilitate the Digital ID activation. You can also scan and email this letter to MassDOT at massdotbiddocuments@dot.state.ma.us

When setting up my Digital ID, I am asked for my Bidder ID. What should I enter?

Enter your Massachusetts Vendor Code, commonly referred to as your VC number. If you do not have a Vendor Code, please contact the MassDOT Highway Division Prequalification Office.

How will information on DBE goals be submitted?

MassDOT will maintain the same process of collecting this information from the apparent low bidder within 3 business days after the bid opening.

How will the online bid bond verification work?

Bidders have three options for this process. MassDOT has setup an email address to receive the bid bond information. A bidder must scan and email the bid bond as well as any other related documentation to MassDOTBidBonds@dot.state.ma.us. The second option is in Project Bids. The bidder chooses the checkbox that says "Pay by certified check / submitted paper bond" to allow the bid to be submitted. Project Bids has an electronic Bid Bond verification process built into it. If the bidder's Bonding company has a partnership with one of the bond verification partners (Surety2000 and SurePath), the bidder can use either of those services.  The third option is to utilize the attachment functionality within the Project Bids attachment tab to upload the bid bond along with the bid.

What happens when MassDOT postpones or expedites bid opening date? How will I know?

If a bidder selects the email notifications option on the Bid Express website, they will receive emails for a number of actions by the agency, including file uploads, amendments, and postponed or expedited bid opening dates. When a bid opening date is postponed or expedited, bidders will need to download an amendment file with the new date and resubmit their bid. Existing bids that were submitted before the bid opening date was postponed or expedited will not be accepted.

Will MassDOT continue to publish the item quantity total?

While Project Bids does not total up the items at the bottom of the screen, this number will still be published in the proposal package (Contract Documents and Special Provisions (CDSP)) for verification.