Pennsylvania Construction Bids: Find Government & Private Projects
Pennsylvania's $50+ billion annual construction market offers strong opportunities in infrastructure, education, and healthcare. ConstructionBids.ai aggregates Pennsylvania construction bids from PennDOT, state agencies, 67 counties, major cities, and private sector sources—all in one searchable platform with AI-powered matching.
:::key-takeaway Pennsylvania by the Numbers:
- $50+ billion in annual construction spending
- 67 counties with procurement portals
- 2,500+ municipalities
- PennDOT with $9+ billion transportation program
- Strong prevailing wage requirements
- Philadelphia & Pittsburgh major metro markets :::
Pennsylvania Construction Market Overview
Pennsylvania construction spans major metros and extensive rural infrastructure:
| Sector | Annual Spending | Key Agencies | |--------|-----------------|--------------| | Transportation | $10+ billion | PennDOT, Turnpike Commission, SEPTA, Port Authority | | Education | $5+ billion | School districts, state universities | | Healthcare | $4+ billion | Hospital systems, PHFA | | Infrastructure | $6+ billion | Water, wastewater, utilities | | Commercial | $15+ billion | Office, retail, industrial | | Residential | $12+ billion | Single-family, multifamily |
How to Find Pennsylvania Construction Bids
1. State Government Sources
eMarketplace (PA Supplier Portal)
- Official state procurement portal
- All state agency opportunities
- Vendor registration required
PennDOT (Department of Transportation)
- Highway and bridge projects
- Monthly letting schedule
- DBE participation goals
- Prequalification required
Department of General Services (DGS)
- State building construction
- Professional services
- Commodity contracts
2. County Procurement Portals
Pennsylvania's 67 counties manage independent procurement:
| County | Portal | Annual Volume | |--------|--------|---------------| | Philadelphia | PHLContracts | $2+ billion | | Allegheny | Purchasing | $600+ million | | Montgomery | Purchasing | $300+ million | | Bucks | Purchasing | $200+ million | | Delaware | Purchasing | $200+ million | | Chester | Purchasing | $150+ million | | Lancaster | Purchasing | $150+ million | | York | Purchasing | $100+ million |
3. Major City Bid Opportunities
Pennsylvania cities with significant construction budgets:
- Philadelphia — Procurement Department
- Pittsburgh — Finance Department
- Allentown — Purchasing
- Reading — Purchasing
- Erie — Purchasing
- Scranton — Purchasing
- Bethlehem — Purchasing
- Harrisburg — Purchasing
4. Authority Projects
Pennsylvania has numerous authorities with construction programs:
- SEPTA — Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority
- Port Authority of Allegheny County — Pittsburgh transit
- Turnpike Commission — Statewide toll roads
- PHFA — Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
- PHEAA — Higher education facilities
Pennsylvania Contractor Requirements
Licensing Requirements
Pennsylvania doesn't have statewide contractor licensing:
No State License Required
- Pennsylvania doesn't require general contractor licensing
- Some municipalities require local registration
- Trade licenses required in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh
Philadelphia Requirements
- Contractor registration required
- Trade licenses for specialty work
- L&I oversight
Pittsburgh Requirements
- Contractor registration required
- Trade licensing for some work
Prevailing Wage
Pennsylvania has strong prevailing wage requirements:
Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Act
- Applies to public works over $25,000
- Rates set by Department of Labor & Industry
- Certified payroll requirements
- Among strongest in nation
Small Business Programs
Small Diverse Business (SDB)
- State certification program
- Participation goals on state contracts
- Managed by DGS
MBE/WBE Programs
- Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have local programs
- Participation goals on city contracts
ConstructionBids.ai: Simplify Pennsylvania Bid Discovery
Rather than checking dozens of portals manually, ConstructionBids.ai aggregates Pennsylvania opportunities:
Pennsylvania Coverage:
- eMarketplace (all state agencies)
- PennDOT construction lettings
- All 67 county procurement systems
- Major city purchasing portals
- Transit authority projects
- Private sector opportunities
AI-Powered Matching:
- Filters by trade and specialty
- Geographic targeting (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, regions)
- Project size preferences
- Real-time alerts for new opportunities
Pricing:
- Starter: $29/month (full Pennsylvania access)
- Professional: $99/month (team features)
- 7-day free trial, no credit card required
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find construction bids in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania construction bids are posted on eMarketplace (state agencies), PennDOT (transportation), individual county portals (67 counties), city purchasing departments, and transit authorities. ConstructionBids.ai aggregates all Pennsylvania sources in one platform.
Do I need a license to bid on construction in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania doesn't require statewide general contractor licensing. However, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh require contractor registration, and specialty trades may need licenses in major cities. Always verify local requirements.
How do I bid on PennDOT projects?
To bid on PennDOT projects: 1) Register on PennDOT's Contractor Portal, 2) Get prequalified for projects over threshold, 3) Monitor monthly letting schedule (ECMS), 4) Attend pre-bid meetings, 5) Submit sealed bid by deadline. DBE participation requirements apply.
What is Pennsylvania prevailing wage?
The Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Act requires payment of prevailing wage rates on public works projects over $25,000. Rates are set by the Department of Labor & Industry for each county. Certified payroll is required. Pennsylvania has among the strongest prevailing wage requirements nationally.
What is PennDOT prequalification?
PennDOT requires contractor prequalification for projects over certain thresholds. The process verifies financial capability, experience, and equipment capacity. Applications are through PennDOT's Engineering and Construction Management System (ECMS).
Does Pennsylvania have small business programs?
Yes. The Small Diverse Business (SDB) program provides certification and participation goals on state contracts. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have separate MBE/WBE programs for city contracts.
How does ConstructionBids.ai cover Pennsylvania?
ConstructionBids.ai aggregates opportunities from eMarketplace, PennDOT, all 67 county portals, major city purchasing departments, transit authorities (SEPTA, Port Authority), and private sector sources—plus AI matching to your preferences.
Is there a free trial?
Yes. ConstructionBids.ai offers a 7-day free trial with full access to Pennsylvania opportunities—no credit card required.
Pennsylvania Construction Resources
State Agencies:
Major Cities:
Industry Associations:
- Associated Pennsylvania Constructors
- General Building Contractors Association
- Master Builders' Association of Western PA
Start Finding Pennsylvania Bids Today
Pennsylvania's construction market offers opportunities from Philadelphia's urban renewal to Pittsburgh's tech-driven growth. Stop manually checking dozens of portals.
ConstructionBids.ai delivers:
- All Pennsylvania sources in one platform
- AI matching to your capabilities
- Real-time alerts for new opportunities
- Time savings of 10+ hours per week
Start Your Free 7-Day Trial — No credit card required.