Announcement
Oct 6, 2025
San Diego County & El Cajon — Regional Procurement Opportunities for Contractors
San Diego County and the City of El Cajon offer contractors a diverse range of opportunities — from large-scale county infrastructure projects to city-level municipal contracts. Understanding how to navigate both procurement systems maximizes your bidding success in this dynamic Southern California region.
San Diego County — Regional Infrastructure
San Diego County manages procurement for unincorporated areas and county-wide services. Projects include highways, regional parks, public health facilities, and justice system infrastructure. The county uses its own procurement portal plus PlanetBids for many opportunities.
Typical County projects:
Highway and transportation infrastructure
Regional parks and trail systems
Sheriff facilities and justice buildings
Public health and social services facilities
Water and wastewater regional systems
City of El Cajon — East County Hub
El Cajon is East County's largest city and a key commercial center. The city posts construction opportunities through PlanetBids, focusing on local infrastructure, facilities, and community services.
Typical El Cajon projects:
Street improvements and traffic safety
Parks and recreation facilities
Public safety buildings and equipment
Water and sewer system upgrades
Monitor both with one tool
Track San Diego County, El Cajon, and all regional opportunities with ConstructionBids.ai — one dashboard for the entire region.
Registration requirements
San Diego County: Register through County Purchasing portal
El Cajon: Register via PlanetBids vendor portal
Both require California contractor's license and DIR registration
Insurance and bonding requirements vary by project size
Strategic advantages of East County
Lower competition than coastal San Diego cities
Strong local contractor preference in El Cajon
County projects offer larger contract values
Growing population drives infrastructure investment
FAQ — San Diego County & El Cajon
Should I bid on County or City projects?
Both — County projects are larger but more competitive; El Cajon offers steady mid-size opportunities.
Do I need separate registrations?
Yes, register with both San Diego County Purchasing and El Cajon via PlanetBids.
What's the prevailing wage situation?
Both County and El Cajon require prevailing wage for public works. DIR registration is mandatory.
Can ConstructionBids.ai track both?
Yes — it monitors County projects, El Cajon, and all 18 San Diego County cities in one dashboard.
What about local hire requirements?
Some projects have local hire goals. Check each solicitation for specific requirements.
Final take
San Diego County and El Cajon offer complementary opportunities — large regional infrastructure and steady municipal work. Track both efficiently and maximize your pipeline.
🌴 Track regional bids in one place: Try ConstructionBids.ai
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