Kern County is California's third-largest county by area and the heart of the Central Valley's agricultural and energy industries, with an annual procurement budget exceeding $250 million. Contractors use PlanetBids Kern County to access competitive bidding opportunities for construction, public works, and professional services across 8,100 square miles.
About PlanetBids Kern County
PlanetBids Kern County is the official eProcurement portal for Kern County government, featuring:
- Construction and infrastructure projects
- Public works contracts countywide
- Professional services RFPs
- Vendor registration and compliance
- Electronic bid submission
- Contract award tracking
Like other major California counties and cities using PlanetBids including Riverside County, San Diego, Fresno, and Anaheim, Kern County requires separate vendor registration.
How to Access PlanetBids Kern County
Direct Portal Access
URL: https://www.planetbids.com/portal/portal.cfm?CompanyID=29446
Alternative Access Methods:
- Visit kernpublicworks.com or kerncounty.com
- Navigate to "Departments" → "Public Works" → "Purchasing"
- Click "Bid Opportunities" or "Vendor Portal"
- You'll be redirected to PlanetBids Kern County
- Use existing PlanetBids login or register as new vendor
Important: Kern County PlanetBids accounts are separate from Fresno, Riverside County, Ontario, Corona, and city portals.
Vendor Registration for PlanetBids Kern County
Quick Registration Steps
- Access Portal: Navigate to PlanetBids Kern County
- Create Account: Click "Register as New Vendor"
- Business Profile: Complete company information
- Select Categories: Choose commodity codes
- Upload Documents: Submit certifications
- Verify Email: Confirm registration
- Enable Notifications: Set up bid alerts
Required Business Information
Company Details:
- Legal business name
- DBA/Trade name (if applicable)
- Physical business address
- Mailing address
- Federal EIN (Tax ID)
- California business license
- Phone, email, website
Business Classifications:
- Business type (Corp, LLC, Sole Prop)
- Small business status
- Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)
- Minority/Women Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE)
Commodity Code Selection
Construction Categories:
- General building construction
- Heavy and civil engineering
- Highway and road construction
- Water and sewer systems
- Oil and gas facility construction
- Agricultural facility construction
- Specialty trade contractors
- Concrete, paving, asphalt
- Plumbing and HVAC
- Electrical contracting
Professional Services:
- Civil engineering
- Structural engineering
- Environmental consulting
- Construction management
- Land surveying
- Geotechnical services
- Agricultural engineering
- Oil and gas consulting
Goods and Supplies:
- Heavy equipment and vehicles
- Road maintenance equipment
- Agricultural supplies
- Technology and communications
- Office supplies and furniture
For detailed registration instructions, see our PlanetBids login and vendor portal guide.
Required Certifications
All Vendors:
- Business license (Kern County or California)
- General liability insurance
- W-9 tax form
Construction Contractors:
- California Contractor's License (CSLB)
- DIR registration (public works)
- Bonding capacity letter
- Workers' compensation insurance
- Commercial auto insurance
Professional Services:
- Professional licenses (PE, RLA, Architect)
- Professional liability insurance
- Client references
Understanding Kern County Procurement Process
Informal Purchases ($0 - $50,000)
- Simplified process
- May not be posted on PlanetBids
- 3 vendor quotes
- Basic requirements
Formal Bidding ($50,001 - $250,000)
- Posted on PlanetBids Kern County
- Sealed bid submission
- Standard documentation
- Prevailing wage (construction)
Major Projects (Over $250,000)
- Full competitive process
- Performance and payment bonds
- Mandatory pre-bid meetings
- Detailed specifications
- Public bid opening
- Strict compliance
Types of Opportunities on PlanetBids Kern County
Transportation and Roads
Highway and Road Projects:
- Rural road improvements and reconstruction
- Arterial road resurfacing
- Bridge construction and rehabilitation
- Culvert replacement
- Guardrail installation
- Traffic signal systems
- Road striping and signage
Note: Kern County maintains over 7,000 miles of roads, creating significant ongoing opportunities.
Water and Flood Control
Water Infrastructure:
- Water system improvements
- Well construction and rehabilitation
- Water tank construction
- Pipeline replacement and extension
- Pump station construction
Flood Control:
- Flood control channel construction
- Levee improvements
- Storm water management
- Drainage system construction
- Detention basin projects
Energy and Utilities
Oil and Gas Infrastructure:
- Related facility improvements
- Access road construction
- Environmental remediation
Renewable Energy:
- Solar facility infrastructure
- Wind energy support facilities
- Electrical distribution systems
Building Construction
County Facilities:
- Sheriff stations and jails
- Courthouse facilities
- Health clinics and hospitals
- Libraries
- Administrative buildings
- Fire stations
- Animal shelters
Building Systems:
- HVAC replacement
- Electrical upgrades
- Plumbing systems
- Roofing projects
- Seismic retrofits
Parks and Recreation
- Regional park development
- Sports complex construction
- Playground equipment
- Trail construction
- Landscape and irrigation
- Parking facilities
Agricultural Projects
- Irrigation district projects
- Agricultural facility improvements
- Farm access roads
- Water delivery systems
Professional Services
- Civil engineering design
- Architectural services
- Environmental impact reports
- Geotechnical studies
- Construction management
- Land surveying
- Agricultural consulting
Key Features of PlanetBids Kern County
County-Wide Coverage
Access opportunities across all Kern County departments and unincorporated areas, including:
- Public Works
- General Services
- Planning and Community Development
- Parks and Recreation
- Agricultural Commissioner
- Sheriff's Department
Electronic Bid Submission
Submit bids online through the planetbids vendor portal, eliminating physical delivery to Bakersfield.
Plan Holder Lists
View competitors who downloaded documents to assess competition.
Automated Notifications
Receive email alerts for new bids, addenda, and awards. Similar to San Diego, Anaheim, and Fresno.
Award History
Research past contract awards for competitive intelligence.
Tips for Winning Kern County Bids
1. Understand County Geography
Regional Considerations:
- West Side: Oil fields, agricultural
- Bakersfield Metro: Urban infrastructure
- East Kern: Desert communities (Ridgecrest, California City)
- Mountain Communities: Tehachapi, Bear Valley
- South Kern: Taft, Maricopa, rural areas
Impact: Consider:
- Travel distances (up to 150+ miles one-way)
- Mobilization costs
- Weather conditions
- Material availability
- Local subcontractor availability
2. Attend Pre-Bid Meetings
Importance:
- Often mandatory for construction
- Site visits critical for remote locations
- Understanding County expectations
- Questions answered publicly
- Networking opportunities
Locations:
- Bakersfield offices
- Project sites (various locations)
- Sometimes virtual/hybrid
3. Monitor Competition Levels
Plan Holder Analysis:
- 5-12 holders: Lower competition
- 12-25 holders: Moderate competition
- 25-40 holders: Competitive
- 40+ holders: Highly competitive
4. Review County Standards
Key Documents:
- Kern County Standard Drawings
- Road design standards
- Environmental requirements
- Traffic control plans
- Storm water requirements
5. Submit Early
Best Practices:
- Submit 2-4 hours before deadline
- Verify all documents attached
- Check calculations
- Confirm bid bond included
- Allow troubleshooting time
Comparing Kern County to Other Major Agencies
| Agency | Annual Budget | Coverage | Guide | |--------|--------------|----------|-------| | Kern County | $250M+ | 8,100 sq mi | This guide | | Riverside County | $300M+ | 7,300 sq mi | Riverside guide | | San Diego | $400M+ | City | San Diego guide | | Fresno | $150M+ | City | Fresno guide | | Anaheim | $200M+ | City | Anaheim guide |
Common Bid Categories in Kern County
High-Volume Categories:
- Road Maintenance and Paving - Ongoing countywide
- Water and Flood Control - Infrastructure expansion
- Bridge and Culvert Projects - Aging infrastructure
- Building Facilities - Sheriff, health, admin
- Professional Services - Engineering, environmental
- Heavy Equipment - Road maintenance fleet
- Agricultural Projects - Irrigation districts
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Can't Access Portal
Solutions:
- Clear browser cache
- Use Chrome (recommended)
- Disable pop-up blockers
- Try incognito mode
- See PlanetBids login troubleshooting
Not Receiving Notifications
Solutions:
- Check spam folders
- Whitelist
@planetbids.com - Verify email address
- Check commodity codes
- Review notification preferences
Bid Submission Problems
Solutions:
- Submit early (2-4 hours before)
- Verify file sizes
- Check all attachments
- Ensure bid bond uploaded
- Try different browser
Account Issues
Solutions:
- Use "Forgot Password"
- Contact Kern County: (661) 862-8900
- Contact PlanetBids: (888) 285-3675
Why ConstructionBids.ai Beats Manual Searches
The Multi-Portal Problem
Contractors working Central Valley face:
- ❌ Separate accounts (Kern County, Fresno, Riverside)
- ❌ Multiple daily logins
- ❌ Risk of missing deadlines
- ❌ Hours spent searching
The Solution
ConstructionBids.ai provides:
- ✅ All PlanetBids (Kern County, Fresno, San Diego, Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Riverside, Ontario, Corona)
- ✅ Other platforms (CaleProcure, BidSync)
- ✅ Federal contracts (SAM.gov)
- ✅ AI matching
- ✅ Deadline tracking
Recent Major Projects on PlanetBids Kern County
2024-2025 Notable Awards:
Transportation:
- Countywide Road Resurfacing - $32.4M
- Bena Road Widening - $18.7M
- Bridge Replacement Program - $14.2M
Water and Flood Control:
- Flood Control Channel Improvements - $22.8M
- Water System Upgrades - $11.3M
- Drainage System Construction - $8.9M
Facilities:
- Sheriff's Substation Construction - $15.6M
- Health Clinic Expansion - $9.4M
- Administrative Building Renovation - $6.7M
Kern County Procurement Contact Information
Kern County Public Works Purchasing Division 2700 M Street, Suite 100 Bakersfield, CA 93301
Main Office: Phone: (661) 862-8900 Email: publicworks@kerncounty.com
Office Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM PST
PlanetBids Support: Phone: (888) 285-3675 Email: support@planetbids.com
Additional Resources
PlanetBids Guides:
Central Valley Agencies:
Other California Agencies:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is registration free?
Yes, vendor registration and electronic documents are free.
Do I need a Kern County license?
You need either Kern County or California business license for most contracts.
What are prevailing wages?
All public works over $1,000 require prevailing wage, DIR registration, certified payroll.
Can I use one account for all agencies?
No, Kern County, Fresno, Riverside require separate accounts. See login guide.
How competitive are bids?
Varies: specialized work 8-15 bidders, standard construction 15-30, commodities 20-40+.
When are most bids posted?
Highest volumes Q2-Q3 (April-September) for construction season.
Next Steps
1. Register: Complete PlanetBids Kern County registration.
2. Expand Market: Register for Fresno, Riverside, San Diego.
3. Simplify: ConstructionBids.ai aggregates all agencies.
