Reading the Bid Documents

A bid package tells you exactly what to price — if you read all of it.

What's in the package

• Invitation/Instructions to Bidders — deadline, format, where/how to submit, required forms.
• Drawings (plans) and specifications — the what and the how good.
• Bid form — the document you fill out (lump sum, unit prices, alternates).
• Addenda — official changes issued during bidding. You must acknowledge every addendum or your bid can be rejected.
• Scope/bid breakdown, allowances, and alternates — extra prices the owner may or may not accept.

Read for risk

Find the schedule, liquidated damages, bonding/insurance requirements, retainage, and payment terms before you price — they change your number. Note what's excluded or by others so you don't price someone else's work (or assume they're pricing yours).

Takeaway: Read the entire package — instructions, plans, specs, bid form, and every addendum (acknowledge them all) — and find the schedule, LDs, bonding, and payment terms before you price, plus exactly what's in and out of your scope.

Educational overview — bid requirements vary by owner and jurisdiction; always follow the specific invitation-to-bid and instructions to bidders.