If you’re a government entity struggling to get contractors to bid on your projects, you’re not alone. Across the industry, agencies are facing an uphill battle when it comes to attracting competitive proposals. But why is this happening? The answer lies in the complex, time-consuming, and often costly requirements associated with government contracts—combined with a construction market that is already stretched thin.

The Burdensome Paperwork and Costly Requirements

One of the biggest deterrents for contractors is the sheer amount of paperwork required just to bid on a government project. Contractors are often required to submit bid bonds, extensive financial documentation, and detailed compliance forms—many of which are complex, time-consuming, and costly to prepare. In addition, many government agencies charge contractors just to access project plans, sometimes upwards of $100 or more, before they can even determine if bidding is worthwhile.

For busy contractors, these requirements add layers of hassle that make government projects far less attractive than private-sector opportunities. In many cases, it’s simply easier and more profitable to pursue work elsewhere.

The Construction Market Is Already Slammed

Right now, the construction industry is experiencing one of its busiest periods in years. Skilled labor is in high demand, and most contractors have more work than they can handle. With so many projects available in the private sector—often with fewer administrative hurdles—contractors are choosing to bypass the government bidding process altogether.

In short, contractors aren’t avoiding government projects because they aren’t interested in the work—they’re avoiding them because the effort required to win these jobs often isn’t worth the return.

How Blue Streak Project Management Can Help

Fortunately, there are ways to overcome these challenges and ensure that qualified contractors are bidding on your government projects. At Blue Streak Project Management, we specialize in streamlining the bidding process and making projects more attractive to contractors.

As Owner’s Representatives, we help agencies:

✔ Reduce unnecessary bidding barriers, ensuring that contractors aren’t deterred by excessive paperwork.

✔ Improve project marketing and outreach to ensure the right contractors see your project.

✔ Implement strategies to make the process more contractor-friendly while maintaining compliance.

✔ Provide accurate conceptual estimates so contractors understand project scope and feasibility upfront.