PlanetBids San Francisco: Complete Bay Area Vendor Registration Guide 2025

Finding construction bid opportunities in San Francisco's $8.2 billion annual public works market requires navigating multiple procurement portals and understanding complex city regulations. Contractors spend 8-12 hours weekly manually checking the City and County of San Francisco's various procurement systems, often missing opportunities due to short bidding windows or portal navigation challenges.

PlanetBids serves as San Francisco's primary procurement portal for public works contracts, handling bids for infrastructure projects, building construction, transportation improvements, and specialized municipal work. The city's aggressive infrastructure investment—including Muni improvements, airport expansions, and seismic retrofitting—creates thousands of opportunities annually for contractors who master the PlanetBids system. Many successful contractors combine PlanetBids monitoring with bid aggregator platforms to ensure they never miss opportunities across multiple Bay Area jurisdictions.

This comprehensive guide covers San Francisco's PlanetBids portal setup, vendor registration process, bid discovery strategies, and local compliance requirements including prevailing wage and local business enterprise (LBE) goals. Whether you're bidding on Muni transit projects, SF Public Works infrastructure, or San Francisco Airport construction, you'll learn how to access and compete for the Bay Area's most lucrative public contracts.

According to the San Francisco Controller's Office, the city awarded over $4.1 billion in construction contracts in 2024, with 68% going to businesses that actively monitored PlanetBids daily and maintained current vendor registrations.

What is PlanetBids San Francisco?

PlanetBids San Francisco is the City and County of San Francisco's centralized electronic procurement platform for advertising, managing, and awarding public construction contracts. The system consolidates bid opportunities from multiple city departments including San Francisco Public Works, SF Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Port of San Francisco, and San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC).

Unlike decentralized systems where contractors must check dozens of individual agency websites, PlanetBids provides a single portal where vendors register once to access opportunities across all participating San Francisco departments. The platform handles formal bid advertisements (contracts over $600,000), informal bids ($10,000-$600,000), and quotes (under $10,000), ensuring comprehensive coverage of the city's construction procurement landscape.

The San Francisco PlanetBids portal serves several critical functions for contractors:

Bid Advertisement: All public works projects meeting formal bid thresholds are advertised exclusively through PlanetBids, making portal monitoring mandatory for compliance-conscious contractors. Missing the portal means missing legal advertisement notifications required for competitive bidding.

Document Distribution: Plans, specifications, addenda, and pre-bid meeting information are distributed digitally through the platform, eliminating the need for physical plan room visits or courier document delivery. This modernization saves contractors 4-6 hours per bid in document acquisition time.

Vendor Communication: Questions, clarifications, and official agency responses are managed through the platform's communication system, creating an auditable record of all pre-bid inquiries and ensuring all registered vendors receive identical information.

Submission Management: Electronic bid submission capabilities allow contractors to upload proposals, bonds, and required documentation directly through the portal, though San Francisco still requires hard copy submissions for formal bids over certain thresholds.

Why PlanetBids San Francisco Matters for Bay Area Contractors

San Francisco's construction market presents unique opportunities and challenges that make PlanetBids proficiency essential for contractor success.

Massive Market Opportunity

$8.2 Billion Annual Construction Spend: San Francisco's public sector invests heavily in infrastructure, with major categories including:

• Transportation infrastructure: $2.1B (Muni improvements, street reconstruction, Vision Zero projects)
• Airport construction: $1.8B (SFO Terminal improvements, cargo facilities, parking structures)
• Utilities and water: $1.6B (SFPUC water system, sewer improvements, Hetch Hetchy infrastructure)
• Public buildings: $1.4B (affordable housing, schools, recreation facilities, civic buildings)
• Port and waterfront: $1.3B (seawall improvements, maritime facilities, Embarcadero enhancements)

This concentration of public spending creates consistent bid opportunities across all construction trades, from general contractors on $100M+ terminal expansions to specialty subcontractors on $50K signal upgrade projects.

Complex Compliance Requirements Favor Organized Bidders

San Francisco imposes some of California's most stringent contractor requirements:

Local Business Enterprise (LBE) Goals: City contracts include 10-25% participation goals for certified LBE firms, creating subcontracting opportunities for local businesses and requiring GCs to build diverse partner networks before bidding.

Prevailing Wage: All public works projects require California prevailing wage compliance, with San Francisco's Department of Labor Standards Enforcement (OLSE) conducting aggressive audits of certified payroll records. Understanding prevailing wage requirements and compliance processes is essential before bidding any San Francisco public works contract.

Project Labor Agreements (PLAs): Large infrastructure projects often require PLAs, mandating union labor and specific labor terms that must be factored into estimates.

Health Care Security Ordinance (HCSO): San Francisco contractors must provide health insurance or payments to covered employees, adding compliance complexity beyond state requirements.

Environmental Requirements: San Francisco's Construction and Demolition Debris Recovery Ordinance mandates 65-100% diversion rates for construction waste, requiring detailed waste management planning.

Contractors who systematically track requirements through PlanetBids gain competitive advantages by:

• ✅ Starting compliance planning early rather than discovering requirements at bid deadline
• ✅ Building subcontractor networks aligned with LBE and PLA requirements
• ✅ Developing template compliance documents that can be customized per project
• ✅ Understanding realistic cost impacts of San Francisco-specific regulations

Aggressive Timelines Reward Early Discovery

San Francisco agencies often advertise projects with 21-30 day bidding periods—shorter than California's minimum 14 days but within allowed ranges for specific project types. Missing the advertisement by even a few days can leave insufficient time for:

• Site visits and pre-bid meetings (often mandatory)
• Subcontractor solicitation and quote collection
• LBE partner identification and outreach
• Complex estimate development (seismic requirements, urban logistics, environmental constraints)

Daily PlanetBids monitoring ensures contractors discover opportunities within 24 hours of posting, maximizing available preparation time and improving bid quality.

Centralized Portal Eliminates Multi-System Complexity

Before PlanetBids consolidation, San Francisco contractors needed separate accounts for:

• SF Public Works procurement
• SFMTA purchasing
• SFO contracting
• Port of SF bidding
• SFPUC contracts
• Recreation and Parks projects

This fragmentation meant missed opportunities when contractors monitored some systems but not others. PlanetBids centralization means single-account access to all participating agencies, though contractors must still verify coverage as some small departments may use alternative systems.

How to Register as a Vendor on PlanetBids San Francisco

San Francisco's PlanetBids registration process requires careful attention to local business certification options and compliance documentation.

Step 1: Access the San Francisco PlanetBids Portal

Navigate to the City and County of San Francisco's official procurement portal:

Primary Portal: https://www.sfcitypartner.sfgov.org/ (SF City Partner) Alternative Access: https://www.planetbids.com/portal/portal.cfm?CompanyID=39489

San Francisco uses "SF City Partner" branding for their PlanetBids implementation, so contractors may see both names used interchangeably in city documentation and communications.

Important: Always access the portal through official city links or direct PlanetBids navigation. Avoid clicking procurement notification emails from unknown sources, as phishing attempts targeting government contractors have increased 340% since 2022 according to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Step 2: Create Your Vendor Account

Click "New Vendor Registration" or "Register" from the portal homepage.

Required Information:

• Business Legal Name: Must match Secretary of State registration and CSLB license
• DBA/Trade Names: List all names under which you conduct business
• Federal Tax ID (EIN): W-9 verification may be required for contract award
• California Contractor License Number: Active CSLB license required for construction work
• Business Address: Physical location (PO boxes not accepted for primary address)
• Contact Information: Primary contact email receives all bid notifications and addenda
• Business Type: Sole proprietor, partnership, LLC, corporation, joint venture

Critical Detail: Use an email address monitored daily by bid decision-makers. San Francisco agencies often issue addenda or clarifications with 48-72 hour response windows, and missed communications can result in non-responsive bids.

Step 3: Complete Business Classification

Select all applicable categories describing your work:

Construction Categories:

• General Building Contractor (Class B)
• General Engineering Contractor (Class A)
• Specialty Contractors (C-classifications)

Trade Specializations:

• Electrical (C-10)
• Plumbing (C-36)
• HVAC (C-20)
• Concrete (C-8)
• Structural Steel (C-51)
• Demolition (C-21)
• [Select all licenses held]

NAICS Codes: The portal uses North American Industry Classification System codes for opportunity matching. Select all codes relevant to your capabilities:

• 236220: Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
• 237310: Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction
• 238210: Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors
• [Add all applicable codes]

Comprehensive classification increases bid notification relevance and ensures you're included in agency vendor outreach for quote requests.

Step 4: Obtain Local Business Enterprise (LBE) Certification (Optional but Recommended)

San Francisco offers substantial contracting advantages to LBE-certified businesses:

LBE Benefits:

• 10% bid discount on competitively bid contracts under $10M
• Participation goals on prime contracts create subcontracting opportunities
• Priority access to informal bid opportunities (under $600,000)
• City assistance with bonding and financing through small business programs

LBE Eligibility: To qualify for LBE certification:

• Business must be headquartered in San Francisco (physical office, not virtual)
• At least 51% owned and operated by San Francisco residents
• Owner(s) must claim SF as principal residence for past 12+ months
• Business must have operated in SF for at least 12 months
• Annual gross receipts under size standards ($25M for general contractors, $15M for specialty contractors)

Application Process:

1. Visit SF Contract Monitoring Division (CMD): https://sf.gov/departments/contract-monitoring-division
2. Complete LBE application with ownership documentation
3. Provide financial statements and tax returns
4. Undergo CMD interview and office verification
5. Receive certification (typically 60-90 days)

Even if you don't qualify for LBE status, understanding the program is essential as prime contractors actively seek certified LBE subcontractors to meet participation goals. Register with CMD's Vendor Portal even without LBE status to appear in prime contractor searches for qualified subcontractors.

Step 5: Set Notification Preferences

Configure your PlanetBids account to receive relevant opportunity alerts:

Geographic Preferences:

• San Francisco (City and County)
• Bay Area regional (for multi-jurisdiction projects)
• Regional water districts (SFPUC serves broader territory)

Project Types:

• New construction
• Renovation/rehabilitation
• Demolition
• Infrastructure/utilities
• Emergency response

Value Ranges:

• Set minimum to capture subcontracting opportunities
• Set maximum aligned with bonding capacity and project history

Notification Frequency:

• Daily digest: Recommended for active bidders (single morning email)
• Immediate: For time-sensitive or highly specialized opportunities
• Weekly summary: Only if bidding sporadically (risk missing short-deadline projects)

Set up automated bid alerts to receive filtered San Francisco opportunities alongside other Bay Area markets in a single daily digest.

Pro Tip: Start with daily digest notifications for 30 days to gauge typical opportunity volume, then adjust based on whether you're overwhelmed (switch to weekly) or want more detail (add immediate notifications for high-value projects).

Step 6: Complete Insurance and Bonding Information

While not required for registration, adding insurance and bonding information streamlines the contract award process:

Typical San Francisco Requirements:

• General Liability: $5M-$10M per occurrence (large projects)
• Automobile Liability: $1M combined single limit
• Workers' Compensation: California statutory limits
• Bid Bond: 10% of bid amount
• Performance Bond: 100% of contract value
• Payment Bond: 100% of contract value

Upload current certificates of insurance and bonding letters from your surety, or be prepared to provide them within 24-48 hours of apparent low bid notification.

Step 7: Submit Required Compliance Documentation

San Francisco requires various certifications and acknowledgments:

Labor Compliance:

• Prevailing wage acknowledgment
• Project Labor Agreement acceptance (if applicable)
• Health Care Security Ordinance compliance

Environmental Compliance:

• Construction and Demolition Debris Recovery Ordinance acknowledgment
• Stormwater management program compliance
• Air quality regulations understanding

Equal Opportunity:

• Non-discrimination policy
• LBE good faith efforts acknowledgment
• Title VI compliance

These documents are typically signed at bid submission, but reviewing requirements during registration prevents last-minute scrambling.

How to Find San Francisco Bid Opportunities on PlanetBids

Effective bid discovery on San Francisco's PlanetBids portal requires understanding project categories, agency patterns, and search optimization strategies.

Daily Bid Monitoring

Active Opportunities View: Log into SF City Partner portal and navigate to "Current Opportunities" or "Open Bids" section. The default view shows:

• Project title and description
• Issuing department (Public Works, SFMTA, SFO, etc.)
• Bid due date and time
• Estimated value range
• Pre-bid meeting information

Filtering Options: Use portal filters to focus on relevant opportunities:

• By Department: Show only SFMTA projects if you specialize in transit work
• By Trade: Filter for electrical, plumbing, concrete, etc.
• By Value: Show only projects within your bonding capacity ($500K-$5M, for example)
• By Due Date: Sort by closest deadlines first to prioritize immediate actions

Sorting Strategies:

• Sort by "Newly Posted" each morning to identify opportunities published in the last 24 hours
• Sort by "Deadline" weekly to review upcoming bid dates and plan resource allocation
• Sort by "Estimated Value" to identify high-impact opportunities worth focused pursuit

Understanding San Francisco Agency Patterns

Different San Francisco agencies have distinct bidding patterns:

SF Public Works:

• Timing: Typically advertises major projects in fall/winter for spring construction starts
• Focus: Street reconstruction, sewer improvements, building rehabilitation
• Average Bid Period: 30-45 days for projects over $5M
• Pre-Bid Meetings: Usually mandatory, held on-site 10-14 days before deadline

SF Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA):

• Timing: Year-round but heavy in spring for summer/fall construction
• Focus: Rail improvements, signal systems, station modernization, bus facility work
• Average Bid Period: 21-30 days
• Pre-Bid Meetings: Mandatory for rail/signal work due to safety training requirements

San Francisco International Airport (SFO):

• Timing: Long-range planning with major projects advertised 60-90 days in advance
• Focus: Terminal improvements, airfield work, utility infrastructure, parking structures
• Average Bid Period: 45-60 days for projects over $10M
• Pre-Bid Meetings: Mandatory, include security clearance discussions and airfield access procedures

Port of San Francisco:

• Timing: Seasonal emphasis on waterfront projects (fewer bids November-February)
• Focus: Seawall improvements, maritime facilities, Embarcadero enhancements, ferry terminals
• Average Bid Period: 30-45 days
• Pre-Bid Meetings: Often include site access coordination and environmental sensitivity training

SF Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC):

• Timing: Continuous, with water system projects year-round
• Focus: Water transmission, wastewater treatment, Hetch Hetchy system, green infrastructure
• Average Bid Period: 30-60 days depending on project complexity
• Pre-Bid Meetings: Mandatory for projects in watershed lands or treatment facilities

Understanding these patterns helps contractors anticipate when relevant opportunities will appear and plan capacity accordingly.

Setting Up Effective Search Alerts

PlanetBids allows saved searches that automatically notify you when matching opportunities are posted:

Create Specialized Searches:

1. "My Core Work" Search: Tight filters matching your exact licenses and typical project size
2. "Stretch Projects" Search: Slightly larger or adjacent trades where you're building capacity
3. "Subcontracting Opportunities" Search: Large projects where you'd participate as a sub
4. "Emergency Work" Search: Quick-turnaround maintenance and repair projects

Search Naming Convention: Use descriptive names like "SFPW Concrete $500K-3M" rather than "Search 1" to quickly identify which alert triggered when notifications arrive.

San Francisco PlanetBids Best Practices

Maximize your success rate on San Francisco public works projects with these contractor-tested strategies:

Register Early and Maintain Active Status

Pre-Registration Benefits:

• Many San Francisco agencies maintain vendor lists from previous projects
• Active PlanetBids registration with complete profile increases inclusion in "invitation to bid" lists for smaller projects
• Early registration ensures you don't miss opportunities while waiting for account approval

Annual Profile Updates: Update your PlanetBids profile in January each year:

• Renew insurance certificates (many expire December 31)
• Update contractor license information
• Add completed projects to portfolio
• Verify contact information (staff turnover may have changed bid contacts)

Attend All Pre-Bid Meetings

San Francisco agencies make most pre-bid meetings mandatory, and attendance requirements are enforced:

What Happens at Pre-Bid Meetings:

• Site walk-through highlighting existing conditions and access constraints
• Review of critical specifications or unique project requirements
• Discussion of schedule constraints and phasing requirements
• Q&A with project managers and design teams
• Introduction to key stakeholders (resident engineers, inspectors, etc.)

Non-Attendance Consequences:

• Bid may be rejected as non-responsive if meeting was mandatory
• You miss critical information that influences estimate accuracy
• Lose networking opportunity with agency staff who influence future bid decisions

Virtual Pre-Bid Meetings: Some agencies now offer hybrid meetings with virtual attendance options. When given the choice, in-person attendance is recommended for:

• Projects over $2M (build relationships with agency leadership)
• Unfamiliar project types (ask questions easier in person)
• Sites with complex access or logistics (seeing in person prevents underestimating challenges)

Build Local Business Enterprise (LBE) Partnerships

If you're not LBE-certified yourself, develop strong relationships with certified LBE subcontractors:

Why LBE Partners Matter:

• San Francisco contracts include 10-25% LBE participation goals
• Prime contractors must demonstrate "good faith efforts" to meet goals
• Strong LBE partnerships differentiate your bids from competitors with weak LBE plans

How to Find LBE Partners:

• Search CMD's Vendor Database: https://sfgov.org/cmd/vendor-database
• Attend CMD's contractor matchmaking events (quarterly)
• Network at San Francisco construction industry events (AGC SF, NAIOP)
• Review past bid tabs (public record) to see which LBEs other primes use successfully

LBE Partnership Best Practices:

• Build relationships before you need them (don't cold-call LBEs at bid deadline)
• Provide detailed scope information early (LBEs need time for accurate quotes)
• Follow through on commitments (CMD monitors actual vs. planned LBE usage)
• Pay promptly (San Francisco tracks prime contractor payment practices)

Master Addenda Management

San Francisco projects frequently issue addenda clarifying plans, answering contractor questions, or modifying requirements:

Addenda Tracking:

• Check PlanetBids daily during active bid preparation (not just after initial download)
• Enable addenda notification emails (separate from initial bid alerts)
• Maintain addenda log showing: number, date issued, date reviewed, estimate impact

Bid Acknowledgment: Your bid submission must acknowledge receipt and incorporation of all addenda. Missing a single addendum acknowledgment can result in bid rejection, even if you're apparent low bidder.

Pro Tip: Set Outlook/Gmail rule that flags emails with "addendum" or "addenda" in subject line and moves them to a high-priority folder for immediate review.

Understand San Francisco's Lowest Responsible Bidder Standard

San Francisco awards contracts to the "lowest responsible bidder," not simply the lowest bidder:

Responsibility Factors:

• Current and valid contractor licenses
• Financial capacity to complete work (bonding letters, bank references)
• Adequate equipment and personnel (resource demonstration)
• Track record of completing similar work successfully
• No significant outstanding violations with city agencies
• Acceptable safety record and OSHA compliance history

Common Responsibility Challenges:

• Debarment or suspension from other government agencies
• Outstanding prevailing wage violations with California DIR
• Unsatisfied judgments or liens related to construction work
• Significant bonding limitation preventing performance/payment bond issuance

Maintain clean compliance records and strong financial standing to avoid responsibility challenges even when your pricing is competitive.

Common Mistakes San Francisco Contractors Make

Avoid these frequent errors that cost Bay Area contractors bid opportunities:

❌ Missing Mandatory Pre-Bid Meetings

The Mistake: Assuming optional attendance or sending junior staff without decision-making authority

Why It's Problematic:

• Mandatory meetings requirement is stated in bid documents; non-attendance results in automatic bid rejection
• Critical information shared verbally or in site observations doesn't appear in written addenda
• Agencies note which contractors attend and demonstrate serious interest

How to Avoid:

• Calendar pre-bid meetings immediately when bid opportunity is identified
• Send licensed qualifying individual or project manager (not just estimator)
• If conflict is unavoidable, call project manager to request alternative attendance arrangements

❌ Underestimating Local Business Enterprise (LBE) Requirements

The Mistake: Treating LBE participation goals as suggestions rather than mandatory requirements

Why It's Problematic:

• Contracts with LBE goals require "good faith efforts" documentation
• Insufficient LBE outreach results in bid rejection regardless of low price
• CMD audits LBE compliance throughout contract performance, not just at award

How to Avoid:

• Begin LBE subcontractor outreach immediately upon deciding to bid (minimum 7-10 days before deadline)
• Document all outreach attempts: emails sent, calls made, quotes requested
• Use CMD's Vendor Database to identify certified LBEs in required trades
• Develop evergreen LBE partnerships so you're not starting from scratch each bid

❌ Ignoring Prevailing Wage Complexity

The Mistake: Using standard labor rates from private work without adjusting for San Francisco prevailing wage requirements

Why It's Problematic:

• San Francisco prevailing wage rates are among California's highest (often 30-50% above private work rates)
• DIR audits certified payroll and assesses penalties for underpayment
• Bid protest risk when low bid raises questions about realistic prevailing wage calculation

How to Avoid:

• Download current prevailing wage determinations from DIR website for San Francisco County
• Use specialty contractor wage rates (electrician, plumber, etc.) not just journeyman/laborer rates
• Include fringe benefits in calculations (health, pension, training contributions)
• Build 5-10% contingency for wage increases if construction won't start for 6+ months

❌ Failing to Monitor PlanetBids Daily

The Mistake: Checking portal weekly or waiting for email notifications that may fail to deliver

Why It's Problematic:

• San Francisco projects with 21-30 day bid periods require immediate attention when posted
• Email notification systems occasionally fail or emails go to spam
• Addenda issued mid-bid period may not trigger separate notifications

How to Avoid:

• Add "Check PlanetBids" to morning routine calendar (8 AM daily)
• Use portal's "New Opportunities" filter to highlight recent postings
• Enable SMS notifications for high-priority project types
• Train backup staff member to monitor portal if you're unavailable

❌ Submitting Late or Incomplete Bids

The Mistake: Rushing to complete bid forms and documents in final hours before deadline

Why It's Problematic:

• San Francisco agencies strictly enforce bid deadlines (even 30 seconds late results in rejection)
• Incomplete documentation (missing bonds, acknowledgments, forms) results in non-responsive designation
• Electronic submission systems may crash during high-volume periods near deadlines

How to Avoid:

• Complete all bid forms and acknowledgments 24 hours before deadline
• Submit electronic bids 2-4 hours early (allows time to troubleshoot technical issues)
• For hard-copy submissions, plan courier delivery 2 hours before deadline (San Francisco traffic is unpredictable)
• Double-check bid form completion using agency-provided checklist

PlanetBids vs. ConstructionBids.ai: Complementary Tools for San Francisco Contractors

San Francisco contractors benefit from using both PlanetBids (mandatory for public work) and ConstructionBids.ai (comprehensive market coverage) together:

| Feature | PlanetBids SF | ConstructionBids.ai | |---------|---------------|---------------------| | San Francisco Public Works | ✅ Mandatory platform | ✅ Aggregates from PlanetBids | | Private Projects | ❌ Public only | ✅ Private developers, commercial | | Regional Coverage | ⚠️ SF agencies only | ✅ Bay Area 9-county region | | Notification Speed | ✅ Immediate (direct source) | ✅ Daily digest + real-time alerts | | Bid Document Access | ✅ Direct download | ⚠️ Links to source portals | | Subcontractor Opportunities | ⚠️ Prime contracts only | ✅ Prime + sub opportunities | | Project Tracking | ⚠️ Basic | ✅ Pipeline management, tracking | | Cost | ✅ Free | $149-299/month (view pricing) |

Use PlanetBids When:

• Bidding directly on City and County of San Francisco contracts
• Downloading official bid documents and addenda
• Communicating with SF agency project managers
• Submitting formal bids and quotes

Use ConstructionBids.ai When:

• Discovering private sector opportunities (office buildings, housing, commercial)
• Monitoring adjacent Bay Area public agencies (Oakland, San Jose, Berkeley, etc.)
• Tracking subcontracting opportunities on large private projects
• Managing overall bid pipeline across public and private work

Pro Tip: Use ConstructionBids.ai to discover San Francisco PlanetBids projects through automated monitoring, then click through to the official portal for document download and bid submission. This hybrid approach ensures you never miss opportunities while maintaining official compliance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I register for PlanetBids in San Francisco?

To register for PlanetBids in San Francisco:

1. Visit the SF City Partner portal at https://www.sfcitypartner.sfgov.org/
2. Click "New Vendor Registration"
3. Complete business information including legal name, EIN, and California contractor license number
4. Select all applicable trade classifications and NAICS codes
5. Set notification preferences for daily bid alerts
6. Submit registration (instant approval, no waiting period)

Registration is free and takes 15-20 minutes. You can bid on projects immediately after account creation, though some agencies prefer vendors with established profiles including insurance documentation and project history.

Is PlanetBids mandatory for San Francisco public works contracts?

Yes, PlanetBids (branded as "SF City Partner") is the mandatory procurement platform for virtually all City and County of San Francisco construction contracts. California public contracting law requires formal advertising of projects over certain thresholds, and San Francisco satisfies this requirement through PlanetBids advertisements.

Contractors who don't monitor PlanetBids will miss:

• San Francisco Public Works projects
• SFMTA (Muni) transit construction
• San Francisco Airport (SFO) contracts
• Port of San Francisco maritime projects
• SFPUC water and wastewater infrastructure
• San Francisco Recreation and Parks facilities

While you can discover projects through plan rooms or industry networks, official bid documents, addenda, and submission requirements are distributed exclusively through PlanetBids.

What is San Francisco's Local Business Enterprise (LBE) program?

San Francisco's Local Business Enterprise (LBE) program provides contracting advantages to small businesses headquartered in San Francisco and majority-owned by SF residents. The program includes:

LBE Benefits:

• 10% bid discount on competitive bids under $10M
• Participation goals on prime contracts (typically 10-25% of contract value)
• Priority for small contract awards (under $600K)
• City assistance with bonding, financing, and business development

LBE Eligibility Requirements:

• Physical office in San Francisco (not virtual)
• 51%+ owned by San Francisco residents
• Owner principal residence in SF for 12+ months
• Business operated in SF for 12+ months
• Annual gross receipts under size standards ($15M-$25M depending on industry)

Apply through SF Contract Monitoring Division (CMD) at https://sf.gov/departments/contract-monitoring-division. The certification process takes 60-90 days and requires financial documentation, office verification, and owner interviews.

How often does San Francisco post new construction projects on PlanetBids?

San Francisco posts 40-60 construction projects monthly on PlanetBids, with volume varying by season and department:

High Volume Periods (March-July):

• 60-80 projects per month
• Agencies rush to advertise projects for summer/fall construction
• Heavy SFMTA, Public Works, and SFO activity

Moderate Volume Periods (August-October, January-February):

• 40-50 projects per month
• Standard procurement cycles
• Mix of project sizes and types

Low Volume Periods (November-December):

• 20-30 projects per month
• Holiday slowdowns
• Focus on emergency/urgent work only

Daily Posting Pattern: Most agencies post new opportunities Tuesday-Thursday mornings (8 AM - 12 PM PST). Checking PlanetBids daily at 9 AM ensures you catch new opportunities within hours of posting, maximizing available bid preparation time.

What are typical bid timelines for San Francisco projects?

San Francisco bid timelines vary by project size and complexity:

Small Projects ($10K-$500K):

• Advertisement to bid deadline: 14-21 days (California minimum is 10 calendar days)
• Pre-bid meeting: Usually 7-10 days after advertisement
• Award decision: 2-4 weeks after bid opening
• Notice to proceed: 2-4 weeks after award

Medium Projects ($500K-$5M):

• Advertisement to bid deadline: 21-30 days
• Mandatory pre-bid meeting: 10-14 days after advertisement
• Award decision: 4-6 weeks after bid opening (includes responsibility review)
• Notice to proceed: 3-6 weeks after award (contract processing, bonds, insurance)

Large Projects ($5M-$50M+):

• Advertisement to bid deadline: 45-60 days
• Mandatory pre-bid meeting(s): Multiple meetings 14-21 days after advertisement
• Award decision: 6-10 weeks after bid opening (includes Board of Supervisors approval for contracts over $10M)
• Notice to proceed: 6-12 weeks after award (extensive contract processing, public hearings)

Expedited Emergency Projects:

• Advertisement to bid deadline: 5-10 days
• Used for urgent repairs, safety hazards, or disaster response
• Shortened timelines legally justified by emergency circumstances

Plan for longer timelines on complex projects involving environmental review, historic preservation, or community input processes.

Does San Francisco require prevailing wage on all construction projects?

San Francisco requires prevailing wage on all public works construction regardless of project size, following California Labor Code requirements:

Prevailing Wage Coverage:

• All construction, alteration, demolition, repair, or maintenance of public buildings or infrastructure
• Includes both City-funded and grant-funded projects (federal, state, regional)
• Applies to prime contractors and all subcontractors of any tier

San Francisco Prevailing Wage Rates: San Francisco County prevailing wage rates are among California's highest due to the Bay Area's cost of living. As of 2025:

• General Laborer: $55-65/hour (base wage + fringes)
• Journeyman Carpenter: $75-85/hour
• Journeyman Electrician: $85-95/hour
• Operating Engineer: $80-90/hour
• Plumber: $85-95/hour

Rates are updated semi-annually by California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR). Always download current determinations from https://www.dir.ca.gov/DLSR/PWD/ before estimating.

Compliance Requirements:

• Register as public works contractor with DIR
• Submit certified payroll weekly
• Maintain detailed timekeeping records by classification
• Post wage determinations at job site
• Face DIR audits and penalties for violations

San Francisco's Office of Labor Standards Enforcement (OLSE) also enforces local wage requirements including the Health Care Security Ordinance, adding compliance complexity beyond state prevailing wage.

Can I submit bids electronically through PlanetBids San Francisco?

San Francisco agencies have varying policies on electronic bid submission through PlanetBids:

Agencies Accepting Electronic Submission:

• San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC): Accepts electronic bids for most projects under $5M
• Port of San Francisco: Electronic submission option for select projects
• San Francisco Recreation and Parks: Electronic submission for small contracts

Agencies Requiring Hard Copy Submission:

• San Francisco Public Works: Hard copy bids required for all formal projects over $600K
• SFMTA: Hard copy required, with sealed envelope delivered to specified location
• San Francisco Airport (SFO): Hard copy required for all construction contracts

Hybrid Submission (Most Common): Many projects require:

• Electronic documents upload (pricing, forms, bonds) for preliminary review
• Hard copy sealed bid delivery for official submission

Always check the specific bid instructions in Section 00 11 13 (Advertisement for Bids) or Section 00 20 00 (Instructions to Bidders) for submission requirements. When in doubt, call the project manager listed in the bid documents 48-72 hours before deadline to confirm submission method.

Hard Copy Submission Tips:

• Use tamper-evident sealed envelopes
• Deliver to exact location specified (many agencies won't accept delivery to wrong building)
• Get receipt/timestamp from receiving personnel
• Allow 30-60 minutes for San Francisco traffic and parking challenges near submission locations

What is the typical LBE participation goal on San Francisco contracts?

San Francisco Local Business Enterprise (LBE) participation goals vary by contract type and value:

Construction Contracts:

• Under $600K: 20% LBE participation goal (informal bids)
• $600K-$5M: 15-20% LBE participation goal
• $5M-$20M: 10-15% LBE participation goal
• Over $20M: 10% LBE participation goal (may vary by trade availability)

Professional Services Contracts:

• Architecture/Engineering: 20-25% LBE participation
• Construction Management: 15-20% LBE participation

Goal-Setting Factors: Goals are determined by San Francisco Contract Monitoring Division (CMD) based on:

• Availability of LBE firms in relevant trades
• Historical LBE performance in similar contracts
• Project complexity and requirements
• Geographic scope (all-SF vs. regional projects)

Good Faith Efforts Requirement: Even if you cannot meet the goal, you must demonstrate "good faith efforts":

• Contact minimum 5-7 certified LBE firms per trade
• Provide adequate time for LBE quotes (7-10 days)
• Follow up on initial outreach
• Divide work into economically feasible units
• Document all efforts with emails, call logs, and quote requests

Failure to meet goals OR demonstrate good faith efforts results in bid rejection, even if you're the low bidder. CMD reviews LBE documentation before recommending contract award.

How do I find subcontractor opportunities on San Francisco PlanetBids projects?

Subcontractors can identify opportunities on San Francisco PlanetBids projects through multiple methods:

1. Monitor Prime Opportunities

• Register on PlanetBids and set notifications for relevant project types
• Large projects always require subcontractor participation
• Review plans to identify your scope within larger projects

2. Register with CMD Vendor Database

• Create profile at https://sfgov.org/cmd/vendor-database
• Select all relevant trade classifications
• Prime contractors search this database when seeking LBE and non-LBE subs

3. Attend Pre-Bid Meetings

• Introduce yourself to general contractors at mandatory pre-bid meetings
• Bring business cards and capability statements
• Follow up with GCs within 24-48 hours offering to quote your scope

4. Review Bid Plans Early

• Download plans when projects are first posted (even if you won't prime)
• Identify your scope and prepare preliminary quantity takeoffs
• Contact 3-5 general contractors known to bid similar projects and offer to quote

5. Use ConstructionBids.ai

• Identifies both prime opportunities and subcontracting leads
• Sends alerts when large projects are posted (indicating sub opportunities)
• Tracks projects from planning through bid phase

Timing for Sub Quotes: General contractors typically request subcontractor quotes 7-10 days before bid deadline. Being proactive with outreach 14 days before deadline positions you ahead of competitors who wait for GC requests.

LBE-Certified Subs: If you're LBE-certified, you'll receive higher volumes of quote requests as prime contractors need certified partners to meet participation goals. Promote your LBE status in all communications and ensure your CMD profile is current.

What's the difference between PlanetBids and SF City Partner?

PlanetBids and SF City Partner are the same platform—San Francisco branded their PlanetBids implementation as "SF City Partner" for marketing purposes:

Technical Details:

• PlanetBids: Software platform name (company: PlanetBids Corporation)
• SF City Partner: San Francisco's branded portal name
• Same login credentials work at both:
  • https://www.sfcitypartner.sfgov.org/ (SF branded)
  • https://www.planetbids.com/portal/portal.cfm?CompanyID=39489 (generic PlanetBids)

Why Two Names Exist: Many government agencies customize PlanetBids with local branding to:

• Align with city marketing and identity standards
• Emphasize local control vs. external vendor
• Improve public recognition and trust

For Contractors: Use either URL—your account, saved searches, and notification settings are identical. The "SF City Partner" URL is preferred in official correspondence, but both access the same database.

Conclusion

San Francisco's $8.2 billion annual public works construction market offers substantial opportunities for contractors who master the PlanetBids platform and local compliance requirements. While the city's bidding environment includes complexities like LBE goals, prevailing wage, and strict timelines, systematic PlanetBids monitoring combined with early bid preparation gives organized contractors competitive advantages.

Registration takes 15 minutes and provides immediate access to opportunities across SF Public Works, SFMTA, SFO, Port of SF, and SFPUC—eliminating the need to check dozens of individual agency portals. Daily monitoring ensures you discover projects within hours of posting, maximizing available time for site visits, LBE outreach, and detailed estimating.

Whether you're a general contractor pursuing $50M airport terminal projects or a specialty subcontractor targeting $200K signal upgrade contracts, PlanetBids serves as your gateway to San Francisco's public construction marketplace. Combined with strong LBE partnerships, prevailing wage expertise, and consistent portal monitoring, Bay Area contractors can build sustainable public works pipelines that complement private sector work.

Start your 14-day free trial of ConstructionBids.ai to receive San Francisco PlanetBids opportunities alongside Bay Area private projects in one comprehensive daily digest.

Related Articles

Bay Area Procurement Guides:

• PlanetBids Oakland: East Bay Public Works Portal Guide
• PlanetBids San Jose: South Bay Contractor Opportunities
• PlanetBids Sacramento: Capital Region Procurement Portal

Construction Procurement:

• Construction Bid Opportunities: Complete 2025 Guide
• How to Find Government Construction Contracts

Software Comparisons:

• PlanetBids vs ConstructionBids: California Contractor Guide