Excavation & Sitework Contractor Bidding Guide: Government Projects 2025
Complete guide for excavation and sitework contractors bidding on government projects. Learn about project types, earthwork estimating, environmental compliance, and strategies to win public sector site development contracts.
Excavation & Sitework Government Market
Government Sitework Market
Market Size:
$25B+
Annual public sector
Typical Project %:
10-30%
Of total construction
Growth Area:
Infrastructure
IIJA funding boost
Excavation and sitework contractors are essential to every construction project. Government work offers consistent opportunities in road construction, site development, utility installation, and infrastructure improvement. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) has significantly increased federal funding for this sector.
Site Preparation
- • Clearing and grubbing
- • Demolition and removal
- • Mass grading
- • Fine grading
Utilities & Infrastructure
- • Storm drainage
- • Sanitary sewer
- • Water lines
- • Duct banks and conduit
Common Government Sitework Projects
Highway & Road Construction
DOT projects for roadway construction, widening, and rehabilitation.
- • Earthwork and subgrade preparation
- • Drainage structures and culverts
- • Retaining walls and slopes
- • DOT prequalification typically required
Building Site Development
Site prep for schools, government buildings, hospitals.
- • Mass and fine grading
- • Utility installation
- • Stormwater management
- • Parking lots and access roads
Water/Wastewater Infrastructure
Municipal utility projects with significant earthwork.
- • Pipeline installation
- • Pump station excavation
- • Treatment plant sitework
- • Trenchless installations
Military & Federal Sites
Base infrastructure and federal facility development.
- • Runway and taxiway work
- • Training facility development
- • Security infrastructure
- • Base access requirements
Estimating Best Practices
Quantity Takeoff
• Cut and fill volumes (bank CY)
• Shrink/swell factors
• Import/export quantities
• Trench excavation volumes
• Backfill material requirements
• Topsoil stripping and stockpiling
Production Rates
- • Equipment productivity by soil type
- • Haul distances and cycle times
- • Weather impacts on production
- • Compaction requirements
Material Costs
- • Aggregate base materials
- • Select fill and structural fill
- • Pipe materials by type and size
- • Geotextiles and erosion control
| Soil Type | Excavation Factor | Equipment |
|---|---|---|
| Loose/Sandy | 1.0x baseline | Standard excavators |
| Common Earth | 1.2-1.5x | Standard equipment |
| Heavy Clay | 1.5-2.0x | Larger equipment |
| Hardpan/Cemented | 2.0-3.0x | Ripping required |
| Rock | 3.0-5.0x+ | Blasting/hammering |
Compliance Requirements
Environmental Permits
SWPPP (Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan) required on most government projects. Erosion and sediment control is critical.
Wetland Protection
Corps of Engineers permits for wetland impacts. Mitigation requirements can significantly affect project costs.
Utility Coordination
Call before you dig (811). Document utility locates. Maintain clearances from existing utilities.
OSHA Excavation Safety
Trench safety requirements including shoring, sloping, and competent person requirements.
- Sediment discharge violations from inadequate BMP maintenance
- Utility strikes from inadequate location verification
- Trench cave-ins from improper shoring
- Compaction failures from inadequate testing
Equipment Considerations
Core Equipment
- • Excavators (various sizes)
- • Bulldozers
- • Loaders
- • Motor graders
- • Compaction equipment
Support Equipment
- • Dump trucks (or hauling subs)
- • Water trucks
- • Skid steers
- • Trenchers
- • GPS grade control systems
Equipment Rates
Factor ownership costs, operating costs, and operator labor. Consider rental vs. ownership for specialized equipment needed occasionally.
Finding Sitework Opportunities
State DOT Lettings
Highway and road projects. Get prequalified for your state DOT.
Municipal Utilities
Water and sewer departments post sitework projects.
General Contractor Bid Requests
Building projects need sitework subs. Get on GC bid lists.
BidFinds
Aggregates sitework opportunities from multiple government sources.
Winning Tips for Sitework Contractors
Visit the Site
Site conditions vary dramatically. Walk the site before bidding when possible.
Review Geotech Reports
Soil conditions drive costs. Study boring logs and soil testing data.
Get DOT Prequalified
State DOT work is significant. Complete prequalification for highway projects.
Invest in Technology
GPS grade control improves accuracy and reduces rework.
Manage Environmental Risk
Environmental violations are costly. Have strong erosion control programs.
- Daily reports with quantities and conditions
- Compaction test results and certifications
- Material certifications and delivery tickets
- Utility locate documentation
- Environmental inspection logs
Ready to Find Your Next Contract?
Get instant access to thousands of government construction bids with our AI-powered platform.
Get Started