Contractor's Informal Public Projects Pre-Qualification

Riverside County is soliciting applications for contractor prequalification for informal public projects under $220,000, with applications due January 1, 2027. Prequalification approval grants direct-contact authority for project managers to award projects under $75,000 without competitive bidding; contractors on the "Exclusive Small Projects" list may pursue projects under $25,000 without Department of Industrial Relations registration or project bonds.

Applicants must hold valid California state contractor licenses in specified trade classifications spanning general building, engineering, electrical, plumbing, roofing, solar installation, and other specialized trades. Contractors must demonstrate completion of at least three public projects within the five preceding years and maintain appropriate licensing and bonding capacity throughout the calendar year.

The prequalification application requires submission of general information, safety records, insurance documentation, letters of good standing from financial institutions, prevailing wage compliance records, and relevant certifications. The County reserves the right to verify information through other sources and will automatically disqualify contractors for omitted information, falsified data, excessive stop notices, debarment, bankruptcy declarations within seven years, or failure to maintain required certifications. All prequalified contractors remain responsible for obtaining bid bonds when requested and payment and performance bonds for projects exceeding $25,000.

The prequalification period is effective through December 31, 2026. Applications may be submitted electronically to PWPrequal@rivco.org or by mail to Riverside County Purchasing & Fleet Services. Contractors denied prequalification may appeal within five business days of receiving the denial letter by submitting a formal protest to the Compliance Contracts Officer and Procurement Contracts Specialist with supporting facts and circumstances.