1. DCAMM Contractor Certification
How do I Bid on Public Projects?

2. Why does DCAMM Certify Contractors for Public Bidding?

3. 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.

4. 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.
To address this problem, the commission recommended certification of general bidders on all public building construction projects subject to the public bidding laws.

5. DCAMM Certification
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.

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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

9. To be a Filed Sub-Bidder?
What does it mean
To be a Filed Sub-Bidder?

10. DCAMM Sub-Bidder Certification
When is a DCAMM Sub-Bidder Certificate Required?
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.

11. Filed Sub-Bidders Information
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.

12. Filed Sub-Bidder Requirements
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)

13. Filed Sub-Bidders Categories of Work

14. DCAMM Certification Application

15. Cross Over Categories are Red
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:      
Address:       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 Construction
Alarm Systems
Asbestos Removal
De-leading
Demolition
Doors & Windows
Electrical
Electronic Security Systems
Elevators
Energy Management Systems
Exterior Siding
Fire Protection Sprinkler Systems
Floor Covering
Historical Building Restoration
Historical Masonry
Historical Painting
Historical Roofing
HVAC
Masonry
Mechanical Systems
Modular Construction/ Prefab
Painting
Plumbing
Pumping Stations
Roofing
Sewage and Water Treatment Plants
Telecommunications Systems
Waterproofing
Cross Over Categories are Red

16. Cross Over Categories 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*
Electrical Elevators Fire Protection Sprinkler Systems HVAC Masonry Painting Plumbing Roofing Waterproofing
* Sub-Bidder Application not required

17. Sub-Bidder 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:      
Address:       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

18. 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

19. Bonding, Financial Data, and Workers’ Compensation
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.
Attach the most recent, complete year-ending statement of financial condition prepared by a certified public accountant (CPA), including balance sheet and income statement.
For Prime Certification we will accept Audited or Reviewed Financial Statements
For Sub-Bidder Certification we will accept Reviewed or Compiled Financial Statements
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).

20. Prime Projects – In Progress and Completed
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:

21. Sub Bidder Projects – In Progress and Completed
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:

22. Additional Certification Standards
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

23. Contractor Evaluation
What is this?
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

24. 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.

25. Prime General Evaluations
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, , US Postal or hand delivered
We no longer accept evaluations over the telephone

26. 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, , US Postal or hand delivered
We no longer accept evaluations over the telephone

27. Contractor Certification Information On-line
See DCAMM website ( 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

28. IMPORTANT RESOURCES DCAM’S Website www.mass.gov/dcam
Information on Contractor Certification
Instructions for Emergency Waivers, Prequalification and more
Inspector General’s Website
Publication “Designing and Constructing Public Facilities
Attorney General’s Website
Go to “Workplace Rights” “Public Construction”
Information on:
Prevailing Wage
Public Bidding
OSHA 10 Act
State Office of Minority and Women Business Assistance

29. State Agency Resources for Contractors
Smart Bid Subscription
Prime Application and Sub Application, Guidelines and Procedures
List of Decertified Contractors & List of Certified Contractors can also be found here
Designing & Constructing Public Facilities
Attorney General’s Office
Information on: Prevailing Wage, Public Bidding, OSHA 10 ACT
Secretary of State
Corporations, Central Registry
Division of Professional Licensure
MA Office of Business Development
Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Online Tools for Businesses
Board of Public Accountancy
Directory to find a certified public accountant

30. Other Resources Available for Contractors
Please remember to do your due diligence when researching a future partner
Mass Development
Mass Development works with businesses, nonprofits, and local, state, and federal officials and agencies to strengthen the Massachusetts economy.
Small Business Administration
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.
SCORE
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.
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 Street
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.