Paving Contractor Government Contracts: Complete Guide to Asphalt & Concrete Projects
Win government paving contracts including roadways, parking lots, and infrastructure projects. Learn DOT specifications, prevailing wage requirements, and bidding strategies for asphalt and concrete work.
Government Paving Market Overview
Government paving contracts represent one of the largest and most consistent segments of public construction spending. From federal highway programs to municipal street maintenance, paving contractors have abundant opportunities to build sustainable businesses serving government agencies at all levels.
Market Statistics
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) has dramatically increased federal transportation funding, creating unprecedented opportunities for paving contractors. States are receiving historic levels of highway formula funding, and municipalities are investing in deferred maintenance projects.
Types of Government Paving Projects
Highway & Road Construction
- Interstate highway construction and rehabilitation
- State route maintenance and resurfacing
- County road paving programs
- Bridge deck overlays and approaches
Municipal & Local Projects
- City street reconstruction
- Sidewalk and path installation
- Parking lot construction and repair
- Traffic calming and streetscape improvements
Federal Facility Projects
- Military base roads and airfields
- National park access roads
- VA medical center parking areas
- Federal courthouse and building access
Specialty Paving Work
- Airport runways and taxiways
- Port and terminal heavy-duty pavement
- Athletic courts and track surfaces
- Permeable pavement installations
Paving Material Categories
Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA)
Traditional asphalt; Superpave designs; various mix types
Concrete Pavement
Jointed plain (JPCP), continuously reinforced (CRCP)
Surface Treatments
Chip seal, slurry seal, micro-surfacing, fog seal
Specialty Materials
Warm mix, recycled asphalt (RAP), rubberized asphalt
DOT & Agency Specifications
Government paving projects are governed by detailed specifications from federal, state, and local agencies. Understanding and complying with these standards is essential for successful bidding and contract performance.
Federal Specifications
FHWA Standards
- • Standard Specifications for Highway Construction
- • AASHTO Guide for Pavement Design
- • Superpave Mix Design System
- • MEPDG Pavement Design Guide
Military Standards
- • UFGS 32 12 16 - Asphalt Paving
- • UFGS 32 13 13 - Concrete Paving
- • UFC 3-250-01FA - Pavement Design
- • UFC 3-260-02 - Airfield Pavement Design
State DOT Specifications
Each state DOT maintains unique standard specifications that govern material requirements, construction methods, and quality control procedures.
Mix Design Approval
Job mix formulas must be approved before production begins
QC/QA Testing
Density, gradation, and asphalt content testing requirements
Approved Materials List
Pre-qualified materials, aggregates, and asphalt suppliers
Specification Compliance is Critical
Government paving contracts often include payment adjustments (bonuses/penalties) based on quality testing results. Non-compliant work may be rejected and require removal at the contractor's expense. Study specifications thoroughly before bidding.
Required Certifications & Qualifications
Contractor Prequalification
- State DOT Prequalification
Most states require prequalification for highway work
- Work Category Classifications
Separate classifications for asphalt, concrete, grading
- Bonding Capacity Verification
Financial capacity to secure required bonding
Personnel Certifications
- QC Technician Certification
ACI, NICET, or state-specific certifications
- Paving Superintendent
NAPA/state paver operator certifications
- Traffic Control Certification
ATSSA or DOT-approved flagging certification
Small Business Certifications
The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program is particularly important for paving contractors. Federal-aid highway projects include DBE participation goals.
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
Small Disadvantaged Business
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned
Historically Underutilized Business Zone
Equipment Requirements
Essential Paving Equipment Fleet
Asphalt Paving
- • Track or wheel pavers
- • Material transfer vehicles (MTV)
- • Vibratory steel drum rollers
- • Pneumatic tire rollers
- • Tack/prime distributors
Concrete Paving
- • Slipform pavers
- • Concrete texturing equipment
- • Curing compound sprayers
- • Concrete saws
- • Dowel bar inserters
Support Equipment
- • Milling machines
- • Motor graders
- • Skid steers and loaders
- • Water trucks
- • Traffic control devices
Technology Requirements
Modern government paving projects increasingly require advanced technology:
- GPS/3D machine control for grading
- Intelligent compaction (IC) rollers
- Thermal profiling for asphalt
- Nuclear density gauges
- Electronic ticketing systems
- Smoothness measuring equipment (IRI)
Bidding Process & Documentation
Finding Paving Opportunities
Federal Sources
- • SAM.gov (NAICS 237310, 238990)
- • Army Corps of Engineers PDBP
- • National Park Service opportunities
- • FAA airport improvement program
State/Local Sources
- • State DOT bid lettings
- • County highway departments
- • Municipal public works departments
- • Bidfinds aggregated opportunities
Typical Bid Package Components
Bid Documents
- • Unit price schedule
- • Bid bond (5-10%)
- • Non-collusion affidavit
- • DBE commitment forms
Technical Submissions
- • Mix design proposals
- • Equipment lists
- • QC plan
- • Traffic control plan
Qualifications
- • Past performance references
- • Key personnel resumes
- • Safety record (EMR)
- • Financial statements
Unit Price Bidding Structure
Most government paving contracts use unit price bidding. Understanding how to price each item is critical for profitability.
| Item | Unit | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|
| HMA Surface Course | Ton | $80-150 |
| HMA Base Course | Ton | $70-120 |
| Milling (2" depth) | SY | $2-6 |
| Tack Coat | Gal | $3-8 |
| PCC Pavement (8") | SY | $45-90 |
*Prices vary significantly by region, project size, and market conditions
Estimating Government Paving Work
Cost Components
- Materials (35-50%)
Asphalt, aggregate, concrete; locked in with suppliers
- Labor (20-30%)
Prevailing wage rates; crew productivity factors
- Equipment (15-25%)
Owned vs. rental; fuel and maintenance
- Overhead & Profit (10-20%)
Home office, job overhead, profit margin
Government-Specific Factors
- Davis-Bacon Wages
Federal and federal-aid projects; verify current rates
- Night/Weekend Work
Lane closure restrictions may require premium shifts
- QC/Testing Requirements
Budget for testing frequency and lab costs
- Mobilization Limits
Often capped at 5-10% of contract value
Quantity Verification Checklist
- Verify plan quantities with independent takeoff
- Check for unbalanced bid opportunities
- Review addenda for quantity changes
- Calculate haul distances accurately
- Account for waste/overrun factors
- Include traffic control quantities
Compliance Requirements
Labor Compliance
- Certified Payroll
Weekly submission required for federal-aid projects
- EEO Compliance
Affirmative action and non-discrimination requirements
- On-the-Job Training
OJT goals for workforce development
Environmental Compliance
- Stormwater Management
NPDES permit compliance; BMP implementation
- Air Quality
Dust control and asphalt plant emissions
- Materials Disposal
Proper handling of millings and waste materials
Buy America Requirements
Federal-aid highway projects require domestic sourcing of iron and steel products:
Covered Items
- • Steel reinforcement
- • Structural steel components
- • Manholes and catch basins
- • Steel pipe and culverts
Exempt Items
- • Aggregate materials
- • Asphalt binder/cement
- • Equipment and tools
- • Items under de minimis threshold
Resources & Next Steps
Industry Organizations
- National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA)
Training, advocacy, and industry resources
- American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA)
Concrete paving technical resources
- Associated General Contractors (AGC)
Highway and heavy division resources
Getting Started Checklist
- Register in SAM.gov
- Apply for state DOT prequalification
- Establish bonding relationships
- Obtain DBE/small business certifications
- Build relationships with asphalt suppliers
- Start bidding smaller municipal projects
Find Paving Contracts with Bidfinds
Bidfinds aggregates paving opportunities from federal, state DOT, and municipal sources. Set up alerts for NAICS codes 237310 (Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction) and 238990 (Site Preparation Contractors) to receive notifications for matching opportunities.
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