CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7456

FOR RELEASE: March 15, 2012

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062 FAX: (860) 594-3065 WEB SITE: www.ct.gov/dot

Connecticut DOT Moves to Online Bidding

          The Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) is now accepting construction contract bids online. Paper bids may still be submitted, but as of September 1, 2012, all bids will be required to be submitted electronically through the DOT’s online bid program operator, Bid Express (bidx.com).

          “Working with contractors and other partners in the contracting industry, we have been evaluating a system for online bidding for several years and are now ‘going live,’” said DOT Commissioner James P. Redeker. “We are excited about the implementation of electronic bidding because it will mean a smoother, cleaner, easier process, while maintaining the proper levels of security and confidentiality. This is a major step forward.”

          The Commissioner noted that 37 other state DOTs already use Bid Express for construction contracts

          The first electronic bid opening was conducted on February 29 when four e-bids were received for an overhead highway sign-support replacement project. Not only did the system work efficiently, one out-of-state bidder did not have to drive to the DOT in Newington in inclement weather to submit a bid that day. The system was successfully used a second time on March 7.

         The DOT awards 65-70 major construction contracts each year. Typically, once bids are received, a 60-day bid review process begins. If everything is deemed acceptable, the contract is then awarded to the lowest responsible bidder and a start date is established for the project.

          Contractors who may have questions regarding Bid Express and electronic bidding should contact the DOT’s Contracts Manager, Greg Straka, at 860-594-3128.

          Information about the new bid process is available at www.ct.gov/dot under “Doing Business with ConnDOT.” Click on “Useful Notices to Contractors” or go to https://www.ct.gov/dot/lib/dot/documents/dcontracts/ntc_-_electronic_bidding_-_going_live_february_1_2012.pdf. The main electronic bidding page is www.bidx.com/ct.main