s
sachusetts State Seal, Charles D. Baker, Governor Karyn E. Polito, Lieutenant Governor Stephanie Pollack, Secretary & CEO, Jonathan L. Gulliver, Highway Administrator, MassDOT Highway Division Logo
January 1, 2019
To: Massachusetts Cities / Towns & Other Awarding Authorities (OAA)
Re: Massachusetts Horizontal Construction Prequalification Process, per 720 CMR 5.00
Dear Colleagues:
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation through its Office of Construction Prequalification / Records &
Procedures is providing this reminder of Horizontal Construction Prequalification requirements for publically bid projects in
Massachusetts:
(1) That involves the use of State funds where the cost exceeds $50,00
0;
(
2) That involves work on State numbered roads & highways; o
r
(
3) That includes MassDOT Prequalification, as a requirement of the Advertisement and or bid documents, regardless o
f
f
unding sources
.
(
4) Requires MassDOT Prequalification as a condition for State Funding Reimbursement
.
T
o eliminate confusion on future projects, we are providing this information so that all Awarding Authorities are aware of
MassDOT’s Horizontal Construction Prequalification process and the potential reasons for MassDOT to inquire into a
City/Town or Other Awarding Authority (OAA) project advertised in the Central Register and either 100% or partially
Funded by “OTHER” state funds such as the Chapter 90 Program, Complete Streets Program, Municipal Small Bridge
Program, Utility Grants Program and Mass-Works Program.
The following criteria are routinely checked when performing project Prequalification reviews and/or sending Central
Register (CR) Inquiries:
1. Project Advertised (Central Register) requiring MassDOT Prequal. If, regardless of funding sources, a City/Town or OAA
el
ects to make MassDOT Prequalification a requirement of its procurement, then MassDOT will apply its same proce
ss
a
s any other project requiring MassDOT prequalification. This includes review of documentation to determine class o
f
work, determination of the “Total Project Value (including any added Alternates & Extension Option costs)”, and
i
ssuance of approved prequalified Contractor lists for each contract advertised within 1 week of receiving the requir
ed
d
ocumentation
.
W
hen City/Town or OAA projects are advertised as requiring MassDOT Prequalification, please be aware tha
t
C
ontractors seeking waivers to bid on such projects must be allowed to submit them to MassDOT’s Prequal. Committ
ee
a
t least 1 week prior to the bid date to afford them the opportunity to appeal such decision
s.
2.
W
ork on State Roads- We confirm whether the work is being performed on state roads. Work on state roads trigger
s
t
he Prequalification requirement, regardless of funding source; moreover, a District Access Permit to perform the wor
k
s
hould be available with the bid documents. (see IG web-site reference below
)
3.
S
tate Funded Projects – If 100% or partially funded by “OTHER” state funds such as, but not limited to, the 1. Chapte
r
90 Pr
ogram (need approved copy of Ch. 90 Form), 2. Complete Streets Program (need copy of approval letter),
3.
M
unicipal Small Bridge Program (need copy of approval letter), 4.Utility Grants Program (need copy of approval; and 5
.
M
ass-Works Program( need copy of approval letter
)
4.
C
entral Register (CR) weekly review of projects advertised - We perform weekly reviews of the Central Register fo
r
projects that may have been inadvertently advertised requiring Prequal, when in fact it is not required; moreover, that
m
ay have not been advertised correctly and are “potential Prequal. Projects” meeting at least one of criteria 1 thru
4
ab
ove. We must inquire about these potential projects to confirm whether they in fact do or do not need MassDO
T
Ten Park Plaza, Suite 4160, Boston, MA 02116
Tel: 857-368-4636, TTY: 857-368-0655
www.mass.gov/massdot