Starting July 27, 2025, Washington State tightened the rules for how prime contractors submit bids on public works projects worth $1 million or more. If you’re in the contracting business, these changes could impact your bidding process and failing to comply could cost you the job.
What’s Changing?
Under House Bill 1633, prime contractors must now include the names and license verification of subcontractors performing HVAC, plumbing, and electrical work at the time of bid submission. For structural steel and rebar installation, you have a short window, just 48 hours after submitting your bid, to provide subcontractor names. The law also limits you to listing only one subcontractor per trade category unless multiple listings are justified by bid alternates. If you miss these deadlines or submit incomplete information, your bid will be considered nonresponsive.
No More Bid Shopping
The new law also cracks down on bid shopping and bid peddling. Once you list a subcontractor, you can’t swap them out just to get a better deal. Substitution is allowed only in very limited cases, such as if the subcontractor refuses to sign a contract or files for bankruptcy. Improper substitutions can expose you to legal liability, including potential damages claimed by the original subcontractor.
Why This Matters
These rules apply only to certain subcontractor categories—HVAC, plumbing, electrical, structural steel, and rebar—and do not affect design-build or job order contracting. But for traditional public works bids, compliance is critical. A simple oversight could mean losing a project worth millions.
Practice Tip: Before you submit your next bid, review your process. Make sure you have subcontractor names and license documentation ready for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical work. Set up a system to capture structural steel and rebar subcontractor details within 48 hours of submission. Train your team on the new restrictions around substitutions to avoid costly mistakes.
Your Next Step
If you have questions about these new requirements or need help updating your bidding procedures, reach out to the Equinox Team today. We’ll help you understand the rules and build systems to keep you compliant and competitive under Washington’s updated public works rules.
