DCAMM Contractor Certification

How do I Bid on Public Projects?

Why does DCAMM Certify Contractors for Public Bidding?

Before DCAMM Certification

In the 1970’s, corruption in the

awarding of public building contracts

resulted in substandard and

dangerously defective workmanship

in several important public buildings.

This prompted the Massachusetts

legislature to appoint a special

commission, known as the “Ward

Commission,” to study the problems

in public building construction.

To address this problem, the commission recommended certification of general bidders on all public building construction projects subject to the public bidding laws.

After studying a host of defective public buildings and the bidding procedures followed by awarding authorities, the Ward Commission concluded that there was no effective system in place for screening out those contractors who were unqualified, overcommitted, underfinanced, or dishonest.

Prime/General Certification vs. Sub-bidder Certification What’s the difference?

A Prime/General Certificate of Eligibility (“Certificate”) is used when a Prime/General Contractor or Construction Manager bids directly to an owner/awarding authority. The General/Prime Contractor manages all the sub-bidders on the contract.

A Sub-bidder Certificate of Eligibility is used when a subcontractor bids as a Filed Sub-Bidder.

DCAMM Certification

When is a DCAMM Prime/General Certificate* Required?

– A DCAMM Prime/General Certificate is required on projects bid under M.G.L. c. 149, §44A

– A contract is subject to M.G.L. c.149, §44A-J or c.149A if:

• It is put out by a Massachusetts Public Agency (i.e. state agencies, authorities, counties, cities, towns, etc.)

• It is for the construction, reconstruction, demolition, maintenance, or repair of a vertical building

• The estimated cost is over $100,000

* DCAMM Certification is not required for:Highway, bridge, tunnel, sewer, site work or other horizontal work

that do not involve buildings and building projects under $100,000.

Prime/General Information

• Prime/General threshold: Estimated Construction Cost $100,000

• Prime/General required for the 28 Categories of Work listed in M.G.L. c. 149,

§44F

• Prime/General must be DCAMM certified in Category of Work to bid project

Requirements for General/Prime Certification

Application for General/Prime Certificate of Eligibility

Fee payment in the form of Certified Check or Money Order made payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Copy of Current Supplier Diversity Office (SDO) Certificate, if applicable

Most recent Massachusetts Corporation Annual Report or Massachusetts Foreign Corporation Annual Report if an out of state company or LLC Annual Report if an LLC

New applicants; include Articles of Organization or Massachusetts Foreign Corporation Certificate if an out of state company or Certificate of Organization if a Limited Liability Company (LLC)

Resumes of all Principal and Supervisory Personnel

Most Recent Year-Ending CPA Audited or Reviewed Financial Statement

Workers Compensation Insurance Binder or Policy and verification of your company’s Experience Modification Rating (EMR)

Bonding Letter with Single and Aggregate Limits listed along with Surety name

What does it meanTo be a Filed Sub-Bidder?

DCAMM Sub-Bidder Certification

– A DCAMM Sub-bidder Certificate is required on projects bid under M.G.L. c. 149, § 44A & c. 149A

– A project subject to M.G.L. c.149 §44A or c.149A if:

• It is put out by a Massachusetts public agency (i.e. state agencies, authorities, counties, cities, towns, etc.); and

• It is for the construction, reconstruction, demolition, maintenance, or repair of a vertical building; and

• The entire project is estimated to cost over $100,000; and

• The sub-bid category of work in one of the 18 trades is estimated to cost over $20,000.

DCAMM Certification is not required for:Highway, bridge, tunnel, sewer, site work, or other horizontal projects that do not involve

buildings and building projects under $100,000 and/or the sub-bid category of work in one of the 18 trades is estimated to cost under $20,000.

When is a DCAMM Sub-Bidder Certificate Required?

• Filed sub-bid threshold: Estimated Construction Cost $20,000

• Filed sub-bids required for the 18 trades listed in M.G.L. c. 149, §44F

• Filed sub-bidders must be DCAMM certified in trade.

Filed Sub-Bidders Information

Application for Sub-Bidder Certificate of Eligibility

Fee payment in the form of Certified Check or Money Order for $200 made payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Copy of Current Supplier Diversity Office (SDO) Certificate, if applicable

Most recent Massachusetts Corporation Annual Report or Massachusetts Foreign Corporation Annual Report if an out of state company or LLC Annual Report if an LLC

New applicants; include Articles of Organization or Massachusetts Foreign Corporation Certificate if an out of state company or Certificate of Organization if a Limited Liability Company (LLC)

Resumes of all Principal and Supervisory Personnel

Most Recent Year-Ending CPA Compiled or Reviewed Financial Statement

Workers Compensation Insurance Binder or Policy and verification of your company’s Experience Modification Rating (EMR)

Filed Sub-Bidder Requirements

Filed Sub-Bidders Categories of Work

Acoustical Tile Metal Windows

Electrical Work Miscellaneous And Ornamental Iron

Elevators Painting

Fire Protection Sprinkler Systems Plumbing

Glass And Glazing Resilient Floors

HVAC Roofing And Flashing

Lathing And Plastering Terrazzo

Marble Tile

Masonry Work Waterproofing, Damp-Proofing And Caulking

Special (For DCAM Pre-Approved Projects Only)

DCAMM Certification Application

Prime Certification Application Company Name: Official Business Name Street Address: Street address City, State, and Zip: City State and zip code Telephone: Company Phone number Fax: E-Mail Address: Email address of contact person Submitted by: Person we will contact Date: Date you completed Check all categories of work from the list at the right for which you wish to receive certification. To be considered for certification in any category, contractors must perform work in those categories using their own workforce. Certification will not be granted in categories where the work was subcontracted. Current or most recent DCAMM certificate number: DCAMM will assign your account a number

Categories of Work General Building ConstructionAlarm SystemsAsbestos RemovalDe-leadingDemolitionDoors & WindowsElectricalElectronic Security SystemsElevatorsEnergy Management SystemsExterior SidingFire Protection Sprinkler SystemsFloor CoveringHistorical Building RestorationHistorical MasonryHistorical PaintingHistorical RoofingHVACMasonryMechanical SystemsModular Construction/ PrefabPaintingPlumbingPumping StationsRoofingSewage and Water Treatment PlantsTelecommunications SystemsWaterproofing

Cross Over Categories are Red

Cross Over Categories

Electrical

Elevators

Fire Protection Sprinkler Systems

HVAC

Masonry

Painting

Plumbing

Roofing

Waterproofing

What is a Cross Over Category?

When you complete the Prime Application if you have selected one of these 9 categories of work and have received certification in that specialty you will automatically receive the Sub-Bidder Certificate of Eligibility*

* Sub-Bidder Application not required

Company Name: Official Business Name Street Address: Street address City, State, and Zip: City State and zip code Telephone: Company Phone number Fax: E-Mail Address: Email address of contact person Submitted by: Person we will contact Date: Date you signed Check all categories of work from the list at the right for which you wish to receive certification. To be considered for certification in any category, contractors must perform work in those categories using their own workforce. Certification will not be granted in categories where the work was subcontracted. Current or most recent DCAMM certificate number: DCAMM will assign your account a number

Categories of Work

Acoustical Tile

Electrical Work

Elevators

Fire Protection Sprinkler Systems

Glass and Glazing

HVAC

Lathing and Plastering

Marble

Masonry Work

Metal Windows

Miscellaneous and Ornamental Iron

Painting

Plumbing

Resilient Floors

Roofing and Flashing

Terrazzo

Tile

Waterproofing, Damp-proofing and Caulking

Sub-Bidder Certification Application

Certification Application Contents

A. Historical Data/Organization—Biographical Info

B. Resumes of Officers & Supervisory Personnel

C. Organizational Experience

D. Bonding/Financial Data

E. Highest Value Projects

F. Projects in Progress (Excel Spreadsheet)

G. Completed Projects (Excel Spreadsheet)

H. General Performance Questions

--Terminations/failure to complete/direct payments/surety bonds invoked

I. Legal/Administrative Proceedings --Lawsuits/workers comp issues/violations of law

J. Affidavit --Signed and sworn under the penalties of perjury

Bonding, Financial Data, and Workers’ Compensation

1) Bonding Only Required for Prime Certification: If your company is bonded, please attach an original letter from your bonding agent addressed to DCAMM, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, accompanying single and aggregate limits and providing name of surety company.

2) Attach the most recent, complete year-ending statement of financial condition prepared by a certified public accountant (CPA), including balance sheet and income statement.

1) For Prime Certification we will accept Audited or Reviewed Financial Statements

2) For Sub-Bidder Certification we will accept Reviewed or Compiled Financial Statements

3) Attach a copy of your company’s Workers Compensation Insurance Policy Information Page and please ensure that it indicates your company’s Experience Modification Rating (EMR).

Prime Projects – In Progress and Completed

Projects in Progress

Using the Excel Spreadsheet (“E. Projects in Progress”), list all building construction projects your company has in process on this date that are at least $80,000. Do not list projects with contract values of less than $80,000. If your company has more than twenty (20) projects in process on this date, please restrict your list to the twenty (20) oldest contracts still in process. Information on randomly selected projects is not acceptable.

With respect to single contracts involving multiple categories of work, provide a dollar breakdown attributable to each category listed

Completed Projects

Using the Excel Spreadsheet (“F. Completed Projects”), list all building construction projects of at least $80,000, which your company has completed within the past three years or the twenty (20) most recent projects completed within the past five years. It is acceptable to add a second Completed Projects worksheet if needed.

Information on randomly selected projects is not acceptable. With respect to single contracts involving multiple categories of work, provide a dollar breakdown attributable to each category listed.

Both Excel Spreadsheets are available on our website: www.mass.gov/DCAM/Certification

Sub Bidder Projects – In Progress and Completed

Projects in Progress

Using the Excel Spreadsheet (“E. Projects in Progress”), list all building construction projects your company has in process on this date that are at least $20,000. Do not list projects with contract values of less than $20,000. If your company has more than ten (10) projects in process on this date, please restrict your list to the ten (10) oldest contracts still in process. Information on randomly selected projects is not acceptable.

With respect to single contracts involving multiple categories of work, provide a dollar breakdown attributable to each category listed

Completed Projects

Using the Excel Spreadsheet (“F. Completed Projects”), list all building construction projects of at least $20,000, which your company has completed within the past three years or the ten (10) most recent projects completed within the past three years. It is acceptable to add a second Completed Projects worksheet if needed.

Information on randomly selected projects is not acceptable. With respect to single contracts involving multiple categories of work, provide a dollar breakdown attributable to each category listed.

Both Excel Spreadsheets are available on our website: www.mass.gov/DCAM/Certification

• Passing Rating for Certification is 80% for both prime and subs

• Factors incorporated into Overall Numerical Rating system including criteria such as: termination, amount of litigation, direct payment claims history, OSHA penalties over $1K, workers’ comp rating (EMR) & any other factor bearing on a contractor’s competency and responsibility within the Commissioner’s discretion

• Single Project Limit (highest amount you can bid per-project) based on average of largest 2 projects (for Prime Certification)

• Background checks: Joint Task Force (JTF) referrals; Dept. of Unemployment Assistance (DUA); Dept. of Industrial Accidents (DIA) Stop Work Order List; Workers’ Compensation Rating & Inspection Bureau (WCRIB) (EMR); OSHA; Attorney General (AG); State and Federal Debarment lists

Additional Certification Standards

Contractor Evaluation

Client reference from your Completed Projects

Areas they will evaluate are:

–Finished Product Quality

• This covers the general quality of workmanship

–Your Project Management

• 5 areas evaluated:– Coordination and scheduling– Ability of manage subcontractors– Safety and housekeeping procedures– Change orders– Working relationships and paperwork

–Supervisory Personnel Rating

• They will rate the Supervisor knowledge, skills and experience of your onsite staff

What is this?

Who Signs Evaluations for Contractors

The form must be completed and signed by the following:

Individual at Awarding Authority (AA) who is most knowledgeable about the construction phase of the project.

For public projects under $1.5M only official at Awarding Authority must sign Contractor Evaluation. At Awarding Authority’s discretion, the AA’s Representative may sign the Evaluation too. No separate evaluation to be submitted.

For public projects over $1.5M where an OPM (Owners Project Manager) is required, it is mandatory that the Owner (Awarding Authority) and OPM both sign the same Contractor Evaluation.

We Request Project Evaluations within the past 5 years

5 Evaluated Projects minimum are needed in each category of work you are applying for in order to receive DCAMM Certification

Projects should have a passing score established by DCAMM (over 80%)

Evaluations can be returned to us by any of the following methods:

Fax, Email, US Postal or hand delivered

We no longer accept evaluations over the telephone

Prime General Evaluations

Sub-Bidder Evaluations

We Request Project Evaluations within the past 3 years

3 Evaluated Projects minimum are needed in each category of work you are applying for in order to receive DCAMM Certification

Projects should have a passing score established by DCAMM (over 80%)

Evaluations can be returned to us by any of the following methods:

Fax, Email, US Postal or hand delivered

We no longer accept evaluations over the telephone

See DCAMM website (www.mass.gov/dcam/certification) for:

• Standard Contractor Evaluation Form (Public & Private Projects)• List of DCAMM Certified Prime and Filed Sub-bidders • Certification Application and Instructions for Prime and Filed Sub-

bidders • DCAMM Regulations 810 CMR §4.00 & §8.00• DCAMM Contractor Certification Guidelines & Procedures

Contractor Certification Information On-line

IMPORTANT RESOURCES

DCAM’S Website www.mass.gov/dcamInformation on Contractor CertificationInstructions for Emergency Waivers, Prequalification and more

Inspector General’s Website www.mass.gov/igPublication “Designing and Constructing Public Facilities

Attorney General’s Website www.mass.gov/agGo to “Workplace Rights” “Public Construction”–Information on:

Prevailing WagePublic BiddingOSHA 10 Act

State Office of Minority and Women Business Assistancehttp://www.somwba.state.ma.us/

Smart Bid Subscriptionwww.comm-pass.com

Prime Application and Sub Application, Guidelines and Procedures

www.mass.gov/dcam/certification

List of Decertified Contractors & List of Certified Contractors can also be found here

Designing & Constructing Public Facilities www.mass.gov/ig

Attorney General’s Office

www.mass.gov/ago

Information on: Prevailing Wage, Public Bidding, OSHA 10 ACT

Secretary of State

www.mass.gov/sec

Corporations, Central Registry

Division of Professional Licensure

http://license.reg.state.ma.us/loca/locaprof.asp

State Agency Resources for Contractors

MA Office of Business Development

www.mass.gov/mobd

Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship

Online Tools for Businesses

www.mass.gov/portal/business/online-tools-business.html

Board of Public Accountancy

http://www.mass.gov/ocabr/licensee/dpl-boards

Directory to find a certified public accountant

Mass Developmenthttp://www.massdevelopment.com/Mass Development works with businesses, nonprofits, and local, state, and federal officials and agencies to strengthen the Massachusetts economy.

Small Business Administrationwww.sba.gov SBA offers a variety of programs and support services to help you navigate the issues you face with your initial applications, and resources to help after you open for business.

SCOREhttp://www.score.org/

SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship.

Massachusetts Growth Capital Corp.http://www.mcdfc.com/

A quasi public corporation extending loans to small businesses with limited access to private capital. Investment goal is to create or preserve jobs and to promote economic development in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Next Streetwww.nextstreet.com/

Next Street is a for-profit business that aims to maximize the growth, profitability and success of our portfolio companies, thereby enhancing economic development, wealth and job creation in America’s cities.

Other Resources Available for Contractors

Please remember to do your due diligence when researching a future partner