Prequalification Process

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To search for your firm's current status, please do not use the "Search this site" option; select the link below, "The Department's List of Prequalified Vendors". 

  Make sure you have the latest Adobe Reader to fill out and save all prequalification applications and forms. 

NOTES

1. All levels listed mean the firm is prequalified with or without limitations as explained in the descriptions posted..
2. Be specific on email subject heading. It is not necessary to indicate prequalification. The prequalification email is specific for all questions pertaining to prequalification
3. SBSD status must be verified on Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity's official Certified Vendor List (Formally known as DMBE).
4. EMR Letter from insurance company needs to specify they directly insure the firm applying prequalification. The EMRs are to be representative of the applying firm.
5. Bid-X requests must include the full legal name of the firm as registered with the SCC and the authorized officer’s full legal name. (First, middle, last names spelled out)

Prequalification Program

VDOT Application / Forms for Prequalification

For contractors who plan on bidding and building on highway construction projects in the Commonwealth of Virginia:***

Rules and Regulations  |   Prequalification Long Form   |  Prequalification Short Form   |    Safety Index Rating Form - C38   |    Adobe tips for filling out the prequalification application

Partially completed applications will not be accepted. The application forms all need to be completed to be considered for prequalification. This means no omissions.  

Notes from the Prequalification Supervisor

1. The prequalification review process may take up to 45 days from the time of receipt of the firm’s application. All firms are given 60 calendar days, from time of receipt of the application, to correct all deficiencies on their prequalification applications. Supplemental information can be used to revise a firm’s prequalification if it is received within this 60-day evaluation period. After the 60-day evaluation period has passed, supplemental material will not be accepted. A firm will need to submit a new C-32 (long form) for consideration on their prequalification review.
   
   
2. Prequalification level - Every firm is assigned a prequalification level. The level may affect if the firm may bid as a prime contractor and may restrict the allowable dollar amount a firm may bid on a project. It is IMPORTANT that a firm understands their prequalification level prior to bidding on a project. Every firm that bids needs to understand the guidelines of the prequalification level that is assigned to it.
   
   
3. Waiver request information for the following levels:Prequalified (Probationary). Prequalified (Currently Inactive), Prequalified (Conditional) and Subcontractor Only. The State Contract Engineer, the State Construction Engineer or their designee has the authority to waive the specific level’s restriction on a project-by-project basis based on the firm’s demonstration of evidence of ability. Such waiver must be obtained, in writing. by the firm prior to bidding on that project. Ability shall be demonstrated by three project evaluations and / or three reference letters on projects in which the firm has performed similar size and scope of work. The firm may also provide anything it deems necessary for supportive documentation. Submit all waiver requests, on a project-by-project basis, to the Prequalification Inbox.
    
4. Work classes assigned to a highway construction firm’s prequalification indicates the firm’s noted area of expertise. The work classes assigned are evaluated by the firm’s previous history of highway construction work performed (not to include a prime’s subcontractor(s) work performed on the firm’s projects) and highway construction equipment currently owned, as well as immediately available highway construction equipment to be used to perform any work on all scopes of current highway construction projects.  

Note: Work classes assigned by VDOT do not limit a highway contractor to those work class areas. They may perform highway construction work in other work classes as long as the highway contractor has demonstrated its firm currently employs the expertise workforce and has the highway construction equipment immediately available to perform this scope of work on the VDOT highway construction project(s). The only limitation is if the firm is assigned as a subcontractor only (SCO), then this firm may not bid nor work as a prime. (See criteria above.)   

5. Prequalification official notification: Once your firm is approved for prequalification on VDOT’s prequalified list,  that is the official notification. A one-page printout of your firm’s prequalification on the VDOT prequalified list is official proof for a firm’s prequalification with VDOT. 
   
   
   If an existing prequalified firm has a question in regards to their prequalification status, it is recommended the firm check our prequalified list prior to calling our office. The prequalified list is updated every Wednesday by 9 a.m. (except if a holiday, then the following business day).
   
   
6. Disclaimer: VDOT’s prequalification process is solely for VDOT highway construction projects. VDOT takes no liability as to how out-of-state agencies, in-state agencies, municipalities, the private sector or any other entity interprets VDOT’s prequalification rules and regulations and the department's list of prequalified vendors.  The other aforementioned entities that are advertising a project and choose to refer to VDOT’s prequalified list are responsible for their own guidelines. If there are questions, other than being prequalified for VDOT highway construction projects, contact the entity that is advertising / soliciting the project.
7. Questions via email should be sent to the Prequalification Office at Prequalification@VDOT.Virginia.gov. (Do not email applications)

Subject Heading of the EMAIL: It is very important for the firm to include the following information:

1. Vendor number, if the firm has one, or “NEW FIRM” if first time applying
2. Full Legal Name of the firm as registered with the SCC
3. Simple one-  to three-word explanation of what the question entails

8. Requests after a firm has been processed for prequalification: Note once your firm has been placed on the prequalified list, the firm will be re-evaluated at the next application submittal. If a firm makes a request after their annual submittal has been reviewed, their inquiry will be placed in the queue and may take up to 60 days to be re-evaluated and addressed.
   
   
9. Bid-X requests must include the full legal name of the firm as registered with the SCC and the authorized officer’s full legal name. (First, middle, last names spelled out).
   
   
10. Change of currently prequalified firm’s contact information: In order to change any contact information in your firm’s prequalification file, we will need an authorized letter on your firm’s letterhead with the change requested and signed by an authorized officer from page 2 of the current C-32 application on file.
    
    
11. Financial statement from a certified public accountant is no longer required. Make sure your firm's annual balance sheet, page 9 from the C-32, for all applications, is completed with no omissions and signed by an authorized officer from page 2 on the C32. This document needs to be notarized by an authorized notary who is a non-vested interest person to the firm. 
    
    
12. Special bonding requirement is determined for a firm by the review of the C-32, page 9: annual balance sheet. Firms are notified if they meet this requirement and are always subject to determination at time of bid as a prime. Both subcontractors and primes are reviewed for this requirement regardless; however the requirement is only applied to a prime who is bidding directly with VDOT on a highway construction project.
    
    
13. Safety Index Rating Score Form, C-38: Part 2, question # 2: Go to the Department of Labor's website to look up the NAICS code (work category).
    
    
14. C-38 Examples: See the examples for help on the C-38 form:
    
    
    1. Newly established Firmless than one completed calendar year rev Nov. 10, 2015
    2. Established firm with an EMR average rating above .85 rev Nov. 10, 2015
    3. Established firm with an EMR average rating below .85 rev Nov. 10, 2015
    4. Guidelines for the C-38 form Dec. 21, 2017
    5. Example of the EMR letter June 6, 2016

15. Safety manual: Only send the front cover with the firm’s name and a table of contents and the last numbered page. A full safety manual is not required.
    
    
16. SCC: In accordance with Virginia Code § 2.2-4311.2, a firm shall be registered in good standing with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s State Corporation Commission (SCC) to transact business in the commonwealth. Contact the SCC directly if there are any questions at 804-371-9733.. SCC website: http://www.scc.virginia.gov/index.aspx
    
    
17. The Prequalification Office cannot continue to process a firm’s prequalification application until the firm reconciles its standing with The Commonwealth of Virginia’s State Corporation Commission. An application submittal may be rejected if the firm is not in good standing with the SCC.
    
    
18.  Mailing application info:To help expedite your prequalification application, place the following information outside of your firm's 8.5 x 11 inch envelope:
    
    
1. Vendor number or New Firm (meaning never applied for prequalification with VDOT)
2. C-32 or C-32A or corrections
3. Do not staple the application together. Clipped application papers are appreciated.

Below are the set months of expiration for firms starting with the letter or if the firm has a formal person’s name, the first letter of the last name.

Mail Application / Forms to:

Virginia Department of Transportation
 Construction Division
1401 E. Broad St.
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Attn: Prequalification Office

Indicate the following information on the envelope:
Vendor number:  Indicate application Form  (C-32 or C-32A) or corrections

Reference Information:

SBSD Certification: The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification program and The Small, Women-owned, and Minority-owned Business (SWaM) certification is handled by the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity. Click here to view the SBSD certified list.

Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity
101 N.14th St., 11th Floor
Richmond, Virginia 23219
1-800-223-0671 (Virginia Only)
 804-786-6585 www.sbsd.virginia.gov

BOWD Center: The Business Opportunity and Workforce Development (BOWD) Center is an initiative offered by the VDOT's Civil Rights Division to provide supportive services and training to certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) firms.

Contractor’s Performance Evaluation (CPE) Program:  Review VDOT’s CPE webpage  for information on the CPE program used to evaluate contractors on construction projects.

NAICS Codes: U.S. Census Bureau website

U.S. Industry Rates: Department of Labor website

VDOT Materials Approval:  Materials Division webpage

Traffic Control Devices Pre-Approval Program:  Traffic Engineering - Traffic asset program webpage

Plans and proposals: Effective December 31, 2018 the Construction Division Plan Room will no longer sell paper plans and contract documents. If a recent advertisement did not include the applicable order forms, paper plans and contract documents will not be available for the subject project.  Digital plans and contract documents will be available through CABB and ProjectWise.  The 2016 Road and Bridge Specification Book will still be available from the Plan Room until further notice. (11/16/2019)

Identify upcoming contract opportunities: Review VDOT's Construction Advertisement Bulletin Board (CABB) for descriptions of contracts recently advertised for bidding by VDOT and the date which bids are due.

The plan room has available for purchase the following publications:

• VDOT Road and Bridge Specification Book
• VDOT Road and Bridge Standards