Pre-Qualification Process

PRE-QUALIFICATION PROCESS

The District utilizes Quality Bidders, an online pre-qualification service for California school districts that allows contractors to submit applications to become a pre-qualified bidder for a district’s formally-bid projects or register to receive invitations to bid on informally-bid CUPCCAA projects.

The District may require contractors to submit a standardized questionnaire and financial statements to determine if they’re qualified to bid. Contractors must declare, under penalty of perjury, that submitted information is true. Submitted questionnaires and financial statements are not public records and shall not be open to the public.*

Public Contract Code 20111.5 enables districts to require prime contractors to be prequalified prior to accepting bids.

Public Contract Code 20111.6 requires the district to do so for certain projects. This applies to prime contractors and MEP sub-contractors with the following licenses:

- General Contractors (A and B)
- Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing subcontractors (C-4, C-7, C-10, C-16, C-20, C-34, C-36, C-38, C-42, C-43, and C-46)

Refer to the district’s instructions to bidders for required pre-qualification submittal timelines. Reference: http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/

To get started, please review the following instructions.

PREQUALIFICATION RATING METHODOLOGY

The District uses a uniform, objective rating system to determine each contractor’s maximum approved bid limit in accordance with Public Contract Code §§ 20111.5 and 20111.6. The contractor’s rating is calculated using three separate capacity measures. The lowest of these three values becomes the contractor’s final approved bid limit.

1. Financial Capacity

Financial capacity is based on the contractor’s working capital and net worth:

Working Capital × 10
Net Worth × 10

The lower of these two values establishes the Financial Capacity Rating.

2. Public Works Experience

Experience capacity is based on the contractor’s two largest public works projects completed within the past five years:

Average value of the two largest public works projects × 1.33

This adjusted average establishes the Experience Capacity Rating.

3. Bonding Capacity

Bonding capacity is determined by:

The contractor’s single-project bonding limit as verified by a surety authorized to do business in California.

This value establishes the Bonding Capacity Rating.

Final Rating

The contractor’s maximum approved bid limit is the lowest of the following:

Financial Capacity Rating
Experience Capacity Rating
Bonding Capacity Rating

This ensures that prequalification decisions reflect consistent and objective evaluation of financial strength, experience, and surety support.

District Reservation of Rights

The District may revise or update the rating methodology at any time to remain aligned with industry standards, legal requirements, and District needs. Any revisions will be applied uniformly and shall not disadvantage contractors already prequalified for the current period. The District’s determination of a contractor’s prequalification rating and bid limit is final.

CLICK HERE TO BEGIN THE PRE-QUALIFICATION PROCESS

APPEALS PROCEDURE FOR DENIED PRE-QUALIFICATION