Texas Construction Bids: Find Government & Private Projects
Texas is the second-largest construction market in the U.S. with $120+ billion in annual spending. ConstructionBids.ai aggregates Texas construction bids from TxDOT, state agencies, 254 counties, major cities, school districts, and private sector sources—all in one searchable platform with AI-powered matching.
:::key-takeaway Texas by the Numbers:
- $120+ billion in annual construction spending
- 254 counties with procurement portals
- 1,200+ incorporated cities
- 1,000+ school districts
- TxDOT with $30+ billion highway program
- No state income tax = strong business environment :::
Texas Construction Market Overview
Texas construction is booming across every sector:
| Sector | Annual Spending | Key Agencies | |--------|-----------------|--------------| | Transportation | $30+ billion | TxDOT, DART, METRO, TxRail | | Education | $15+ billion | TEA, universities, ISDs | | Energy | $20+ billion | Oil & gas, renewables, grid | | Healthcare | $10+ billion | Hospital districts, private | | Commercial | $35+ billion | Office, retail, industrial | | Residential | $25+ billion | Single-family, multifamily |
How to Find Texas Construction Bids
1. State Government Sources
Electronic State Business Daily (ESBD)
- Official state procurement portal
- All state agency opportunities
- Required posting for state contracts
Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
- Highway and transportation projects
- Largest state transportation budget
- HUB participation requirements
- Monthly letting schedule
Texas Facilities Commission (TFC)
- State building construction
- Major capital projects
- Professional services
2. County Procurement Portals
Texas has 254 counties with varying procurement systems:
| County | Portal | Annual Volume | |--------|--------|---------------| | Harris | Purchasing | $3+ billion | | Dallas | Purchasing | $1.5+ billion | | Tarrant | Purchasing | $800+ million | | Bexar | Purchasing | $700+ million | | Travis | Purchasing | $600+ million | | Collin | Purchasing | $400+ million | | Hidalgo | Purchasing | $300+ million | | El Paso | Purchasing | $300+ million |
3. Major City Bid Opportunities
Texas cities with significant construction budgets:
- Houston — City Purchasing, METRO
- San Antonio — Finance Department, VIA
- Dallas — Office of Procurement, DART
- Austin — Purchasing Office, Cap Metro
- Fort Worth — Purchasing Division
- El Paso — Purchasing & Strategic Sourcing
- Arlington — Purchasing Division
- Plano — Purchasing
4. School Districts
Texas has 1,000+ independent school districts (ISDs):
- Major ISDs have significant bond programs
- TEA oversight on public education construction
- Competitive bidding required over thresholds
- Bonds regularly approved by voters
Texas Public Works Requirements
Licensing in Texas
Texas has unique contractor licensing:
No General Contractor License Required
- Texas doesn't require state contractor license
- Some cities require local licenses
- Specialty trades may need state licenses (electrical, plumbing, HVAC)
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
- Electrician licensing
- Plumber licensing
- HVAC technician licensing
- Other specialty licenses
Prevailing Wage
No State Prevailing Wage
- Texas doesn't have state prevailing wage law
- Federal Davis-Bacon applies to federally-funded projects
- Some local jurisdictions have requirements
HUB Program
Historically Underutilized Business (HUB)
- State program for minority and women-owned businesses
- Participation goals on state contracts
- Certification through Comptroller's Office
ConstructionBids.ai: Simplify Texas Bid Discovery
Rather than checking hundreds of portals manually, ConstructionBids.ai aggregates Texas opportunities:
Texas Coverage:
- Electronic State Business Daily (all state agencies)
- TxDOT construction lettings
- All 254 county procurement systems
- Major city purchasing portals
- School district bid boards
- Private sector projects
AI-Powered Matching:
- Filters by trade and specialty
- Geographic targeting by region, county, city
- Project size preferences
- Real-time alerts for new opportunities
Pricing:
- Starter: $29/month (full Texas access)
- Professional: $99/month (team features)
- 7-day free trial, no credit card required
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find construction bids in Texas?
Texas construction bids are posted on the Electronic State Business Daily (state agencies), TxDOT (transportation), individual county purchasing portals (254 counties), city purchasing departments, and school districts. ConstructionBids.ai aggregates all Texas sources in one platform.
Do I need a license to bid on construction in Texas?
Texas doesn't require a general contractor license at the state level. However, certain trades require licensing (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) through TDLR, and some cities require local contractor registration. Always verify local requirements.
How do I bid on TxDOT projects?
To bid on TxDOT projects: 1) Register with TxDOT's contractor system, 2) Obtain required bonding capacity, 3) Monitor monthly letting schedule, 4) Attend pre-bid meetings, 5) Submit sealed bid by deadline. HUB participation is encouraged on all projects.
What is the Texas HUB program?
The Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) program promotes participation by minority, women-owned, and disadvantaged businesses in state contracting. HUB certification is through the Texas Comptroller's Office. State agencies have HUB participation goals.
Does Texas have prevailing wage requirements?
Texas doesn't have a state prevailing wage law. However, federal Davis-Bacon Act requirements apply to federally-funded projects. Some local jurisdictions may have their own wage requirements for public projects.
How do school districts bid construction in Texas?
Texas school districts must competitively bid construction projects over statutory thresholds. Most use their own purchasing departments or cooperatives. Bond programs fund major construction. ISDs post opportunities on their websites and bid boards.
How does ConstructionBids.ai cover Texas?
ConstructionBids.ai aggregates opportunities from the Electronic State Business Daily, TxDOT, all 254 county portals, major city purchasing departments, school districts, 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 Texas opportunities—no credit card required. Compare coverage against your current process.
Texas Construction Resources
State Agencies:
Industry Associations:
- Associated General Contractors of Texas
- Texas Construction Association
- Associated Builders and Contractors Texas
Start Finding Texas Bids Today
Texas's massive construction market offers opportunities across every specialty and region. Stop manually checking hundreds of portals.
ConstructionBids.ai delivers:
- All Texas 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.