Construction Bid Opportunities in Miami: Complete 2025 Guide
Miami's construction market has evolved into one of America's most dynamic, driven by international investment, luxury development, population growth, and major infrastructure projects. The $18 billion annual South Florida construction market offers exceptional opportunities for contractors who understand the region's unique procurement landscape.
Finding construction bids in Miami requires navigating bilingual procurement systems, understanding hurricane-resistant construction requirements, and building relationships across the diverse South Florida contractor community. This guide covers Miami construction opportunities, major procurement portals, and proven strategies for winning projects in Florida's largest metropolitan construction market.
In This Guide:
- Miami Construction Market Overview
- How to Find Miami Bids
- Major Procurement Portals
- Florida-Specific Requirements
- Best Practices
- FAQ
Miami Construction Market Overview
Market Size: $18 billion annually (2025) Metro Population: 6.2 million (Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach) Growth Rate: 7.2% CAGR (2021-2025) Key Counties: Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach
Key Market Drivers
International Investment: Foreign capital, particularly from Latin America, drives luxury residential and commercial development throughout South Florida.
Population Growth: Florida added more residents than any other state in recent years, with much of that growth concentrated in South Florida.
Infrastructure Resilience: Climate adaptation projects, seawall construction, and drainage improvements create substantial infrastructure opportunities.
Tourism Recovery: Hotel construction, entertainment venues, and airport expansion respond to recovered travel demand.
Construction Sectors by Volume
| Sector | Annual Volume | % of Market | |--------|--------------|-------------| | Residential (Luxury Condo) | $5.4B | 30% | | Commercial/Mixed-Use | $4.3B | 24% | | Infrastructure | $3.6B | 20% | | Healthcare/Education | $2.7B | 15% | | Industrial/Logistics | $2.0B | 11% |
How to Find Miami Bids
Government Portals
Miami-Dade County
- Portal: BidSync
- Website: miamidade.gov/procurement
- Project Types: County facilities, transit, aviation, water/sewer
- SBE Goals: Small Business Enterprise participation requirements
- Language: English and Spanish procurement documents
City of Miami
- Portal: Demand Star
- Website: miamigov.com/procurement
- Project Types: Municipal facilities, parks, streets
- CBE Goals: Community Business Enterprise targets
Broward County
- Portal: BidSync
- Website: broward.org/purchasing
- Project Types: County facilities, Port Everglades, airport
- CBE/SBE Goals: Strong small business participation
Palm Beach County
- Portal: Bonfire
- Website: pbcgov.org/purchasing
- Project Types: County facilities, infrastructure
Miami-Dade Public Schools (M-DCPS)
- Portal: Dedicated procurement system
- Website: procurement.dadeschools.net
- Project Types: School construction, renovations
- Bond Programs: Ongoing facility improvement programs
Miami-Dade County Aviation Department
- Portal: Specialized aviation procurement
- Website: miami-airport.com/business
- Project Types: MIA capital improvement program ($5B+)
- Federal Requirements: Davis-Bacon, DBE goals
Private Market Access
Plan Rooms:
- Construction Association of South Florida
- AGC of Florida - South Florida Chapter
- ABC Florida East Coast Chapter
Developer Networks:
- Related Group projects
- Swire Properties (Brickell City Centre)
- Terra Group developments
- Major hotel chains (expansion/renovation)
Major Procurement Portals
Miami-Dade County Procurement
Miami-Dade operates the largest public procurement program in South Florida:
Key Information:
- Threshold: $25,000+ requires competitive sealed bids
- Registration: Free, required for bidding
- SBE Program: Small Business Enterprise goals on most contracts
- Bilingual: Many documents in English and Spanish
Major Departments:
- Internal Services (general facilities)
- Transportation and Public Works
- Water and Sewer Department
- Aviation Department (MIA)
- Transit (Metrorail, Metrobus)
- PortMiami
Miami International Airport Capital Program
MIA's Capital Improvement Program represents one of Florida's largest ongoing construction initiatives:
Program Highlights:
- Total Investment: $5 billion+
- Timeline: Multi-year implementation
- Scope: Terminal expansion, concourse modernization, infrastructure
Procurement Process:
- DBE participation goals (federal funding)
- Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements
- Prequalification for major packages
- Progress payment requirements
PortMiami
The "Cruise Capital of the World" maintains active construction programs:
- Terminal modernization
- Berth expansion
- Intermodal facilities
- Security infrastructure
Florida-Specific Requirements
Hurricane-Resistant Construction
Florida Building Code requires hurricane-resistant construction throughout South Florida:
Key Requirements:
- Wind load design (Miami-Dade County has strictest standards)
- Impact-resistant glazing or shutters
- Enhanced roof connections
- Concrete/masonry construction preferences
Contractor Implications:
- Familiarity with Florida Building Code essential
- Material specifications differ from other markets
- Inspection requirements more stringent
- Insurance costs reflect risk environment
Florida Contractor Licensing
Florida requires state contractor licensing:
License Types:
- Certified General Contractor (CGC)
- Certified Building Contractor (CBC)
- Specialty contractors by trade
Requirements:
- Pass state examination
- Demonstrate financial responsibility
- Provide proof of insurance
- Meet experience requirements
Local Registration:
- Many municipalities require local registration in addition to state license
- Miami-Dade has additional contractor registration requirements
Prevailing Wage (Limited)
Florida has no state prevailing wage law. However:
- Federally-funded projects require Davis-Bacon compliance
- Airport projects (FAA funding) require prevailing wages
- Transit projects (FTA funding) require prevailing wages
Best Practices for Miami Contractors
Understand the Bilingual Market
Miami's construction market operates in English and Spanish:
Advantages of Bilingual Capability:
- Better communication with diverse workforce
- Access to Spanish-language procurement documents
- Stronger relationships with Hispanic-owned businesses
- Better coordination on multilingual job sites
Build SBE/CBE Partnerships
South Florida agencies have strong small business requirements:
If SBE/CBE Certified:
- Register with Miami-Dade, City of Miami, Broward
- Pursue set-aside opportunities
- Market certification to prime contractors
- Build subcontracting relationships
If Not Certified:
- Develop relationships with certified firms
- Document good-faith efforts on all bids
- Consider joint venture opportunities
- Include diverse subcontractors consistently
Navigate Hurricane Season
Construction in South Florida must account for hurricane season (June-November):
Planning Considerations:
- Project schedules should account for potential weather delays
- Secure material storage during active weather
- Insurance requirements differ from other regions
- Emergency response capabilities valued by project owners
Target Growth Sectors
High-Opportunity Areas:
- Brickell/Downtown Miami mixed-use development
- Miami Beach Art Deco District renovation
- Wynwood/Design District commercial
- Doral industrial/logistics corridor
- Aventura/Sunny Isles luxury residential
Ready to Find More Miami Bid Opportunities?
ConstructionBids.ai delivers daily construction opportunities from 500+ South Florida sources directly to your inbox. Set your preferences once, then focus on estimating and building.
14-day free trial | No credit card required | Cancel anytime
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find construction bids in Miami?
Find Miami construction bids through government portals (Miami-Dade BidSync, City of Miami Demand Star, Broward BidSync), bid aggregators (ConstructionBids.ai, Dodge), plan rooms (Construction Association of South Florida), and developer relationships.
Bid aggregators provide efficient coverage by consolidating dozens of South Florida portals into daily digests matching your trade and project preferences.
What is the Miami construction market worth?
The Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach construction market represents approximately $18 billion in annual volume (2025). Key sectors include luxury residential ($5.4B), commercial/mixed-use ($4.3B), infrastructure ($3.6B), healthcare/education ($2.7B), and industrial/logistics ($2.0B).
Do I need a Florida license to work in Miami?
Yes, Florida requires state contractor licensing for construction work:
- General Contractor: Certified General Contractor (CGC) license
- Building Contractor: Certified Building Contractor (CBC) license
- Specialty Trades: Trade-specific licenses (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, etc.)
Additionally, Miami-Dade County requires local contractor registration. Verify local requirements for each municipality where you plan to work.
What are Miami's SBE requirements?
Miami-Dade County operates a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) program with participation goals on most contracts:
- Certified SBE firms receive bidding advantages
- Prime contractors must demonstrate good-faith efforts to include SBE subcontractors
- Goals vary by project and trade availability
- Documentation requirements are specific and enforced
The City of Miami operates a similar Community Business Enterprise (CBE) program.
How does hurricane construction affect bidding?
Hurricane-resistant construction requirements significantly affect Miami construction bidding:
- Materials: Impact-resistant glazing, enhanced connectors, specific fasteners
- Design: Wind load calculations, uplift resistance, water intrusion prevention
- Inspections: More stringent inspection requirements
- Costs: Higher material and labor costs than non-hurricane markets
- Scheduling: Weather contingencies during hurricane season
Contractors must understand Florida Building Code requirements, particularly the enhanced Miami-Dade County standards.
What size projects are available in Miami?
Miami construction opportunities span all sizes:
- Small (<$500K): Renovations, tenant improvements, maintenance
- Medium ($500K-$10M): Commercial TI, school renovations, municipal facilities
- Large ($10M-$100M): Condo towers, hotel construction, infrastructure
- Major ($100M+): Airport terminals, large mixed-use developments
Luxury high-rise residential represents a significant portion of large projects, often with tight schedules and premium finish requirements.
Is Miami a prevailing wage market?
Florida has no state prevailing wage law, but prevailing wages apply to:
- Federal Projects: Direct federal construction (military, federal buildings)
- Federally-Funded Projects: Airport projects using FAA funds, transit projects using FTA funds, highway projects using federal highway funds
Verify funding sources on public projects to determine prevailing wage applicability.
How competitive is Miami construction bidding?
Competition varies by sector and project type:
- Luxury Residential: Very competitive, relationship-driven
- Public Works: Competitive, 5-10 bidders typical
- Airport/Transit: Competitive, DBE requirements influence teaming
- Schools: Moderate competition, 4-8 bidders typical
Spanish-language capability and familiarity with South Florida's unique requirements provide competitive advantages.
What certifications help win Miami bids?
Valuable certifications for Miami construction include:
- SBE Certification: Miami-Dade Small Business Enterprise
- CBE Certification: City of Miami Community Business Enterprise
- DBE Certification: Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (federal projects)
- MBE/WBE Certification: Minority/Women Business Enterprise
- Florida License: Required CGC, CBC, or specialty licenses
Certifications are particularly valuable given South Florida's strong small business participation requirements.
Conclusion
Miami's $18 billion construction market offers exceptional opportunities for contractors who understand the region's unique dynamics. International investment, population growth, and infrastructure resilience needs create demand across all trades and project types.
Success in Miami construction bidding requires Florida licensing, understanding hurricane-resistant construction requirements, building SBE partnerships, and navigating bilingual procurement systems. Bid aggregators like ConstructionBids.ai make comprehensive South Florida coverage practical, delivering filtered opportunities daily.
Whether you're targeting MIA's billion-dollar capital program or luxury residential developments, automated bid discovery ensures you never miss opportunities in one of America's most dynamic construction markets.
Start your 14-day free trial and see how many Miami opportunities match your capabilities.
