CONSTRUCTION PROJECT CONTRACTS
Address all questions concerning contracting policies & procedures to:
County of Ventura
Public Works Agency
Chris Cooper, Director
Engineering Services Department
800 South Victoria Avenue
Ventura, California 93009-1670
Voice: 805-654-2096
For questions concerning projects out to bid, see below.
Types of Work
The Public Works Agency contracts for construction, repair, major maintenance and
improvement of roads, bridges, flood control channels, debris dams, culverts, traffic signals, safety
lighting, airports, parks, public buildings (including remodeling), waterworks, sewerage and other public works for the County of Ventura, the Ventura County Watershed Protection District, Ventura County Waterworks Districts Nos. 1, 16, 17, 19, 38 and occasionally for several other special districts governed by the Board of Supervisors.
Work out to Bid
For information on County Construction Projects use the Engineering Services’ website:
The information available on this website’s links includes:
Projects out to bid with: Project Location, Description, Bid Items, Bid Date, Cost of Plans, License Class required, Plans & Specifications (to be viewed or downloaded), Engineer’s Cost Estimate, Pre bidding Conference (if any) and Planholders List.
Abstracts of bids received & subcontractors list (usually within 24 hours after bids are opened).
Contracts Awarded – Information on projects awarded but not yet completed.
Contractor’s Forms
Five Year Capital Projects Program Information on future projects.
Links to Ventura County Publications and State, Federal & Construction industry websites.
Trade Names or Equals
The Agency does not pre-approve alternative products or equipment prior to bidding or entering into a contract. Approval of “equals” are subject to Ventura County Standard Specifications (VCSS) §4-1.6 which is included in all projects advertised for bidding by the Public Works Agency and may be viewed on the County web site.
Invitations to bid are made as follows, based on estimated construction cost:
Projects over $200,000 (Formal Bidding)
Invitations published in VC Reporter at least 14 days before bid opening and sent to the construction
trade journals listed below at least 15 days before bid opening.
Projects from $60,000 to $200,000 (Informal Bidding)
Invitations sent to the construction trade journals listed below at least 10 days before bid opening.
Projects under $60,000 and Maintenance work (Negotiated Contracts)
These contracts may be negotiated with selected contractors, usually after obtaining informal quotations from several contractors or may be bid as for Formal or Informal Bidding.
Licensed Contractors may submit the name of their firm to the County of Ventura for inclusion in the list of contractors.
Provide the following:
1. Firm’s Name
2. Contractor’s license number. Indicate all classes for which licensed.
3. Mailing Address
4. Telephone Number
5. Fax Number
6. Type of work interested in and licensed to perform.
7. Smallest size job interested in and largest size job for which bondable.
Bonds are required for all jobs over $25,000 and may be required for smaller projects.
While some individual Contractors may be sent notices of projects for which bids are being
solicited, such notification is not required so Contractors should obtain information on projects
bidding from the County Website (indicated above) or a trade organization listed above.
