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Kentucky public works bidding requirements

Jurisdiction: State of Kentucky
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Summary of record

Verified Jul 8, 2026
Competitive bidding threshold (public work)
Competitive sealed bidding
Governing statute
Model Procurement Code (KRS 45A)
Award standard
Lowest responsible bidder
Multiple-prime required?
No statewide mandate
Prevailing wage
Repealed (2017)
Addenda distribution
To all bidders
Compare Kentucky with every state

Competitive bidding threshold

Public construction is procured by competitive sealed bidding under the Kentucky Model Procurement Code (KRS 45A); local governments that adopt it, and those under their own charters, set the small-purchase limits below which simplified procedures apply.

Award standard

Contracts go to the lowest responsible bidder.

Multiple-prime contracts

Kentucky has no statewide multiple-prime mandate. Unlike New York's Wicks Law or Pennsylvania's Separations Act, a single general contract is permitted.

Prevailing wage

Kentucky repealed its state prevailing-wage law effective January 7, 2017 (House Bill 3).1 Projects awarded before that date still carry prevailing wage; otherwise only federal Davis-Bacon rates apply, and only to federally funded work.

Document distribution & addenda

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet §102.07 requires all bidders to obtain the addenda posted to the Department's website and Bid Express before bidding, and §102.13 rejects a bid not submitted on the required addenda.3

Record of change

2017 Law

Kentucky repealed its prevailing-wage law on January 7, 2017 (House Bill 3), the same day it became a right-to-work state. Public construction is still procured by competitive sealed bidding under the Model Procurement Code.

  1. Verified

    Added document-distribution source: Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction §102.07, §102.13.

  2. Verified

    Page created and verified against the 2017 prevailing-wage repeal and the Model Procurement Code (KRS 45A).

  3. Law

    State prevailing wage repealed (House Bill 3); applies to projects not yet awarded as of that date.

Sources

  1. 1. Kentucky Legislature — Model Procurement Code (KRS Chapter 45A). legislature.ky.gov
  2. 2. Stites & Harbison — Kentucky repeals prevailing wage law (2017). stites.com
  3. 3. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) — Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction §102.07, §102.13. transportation.ky.gov

Frequently asked

Does Kentucky require prevailing wages on public works?
No. Kentucky repealed its state prevailing-wage law in January 2017; only federal Davis-Bacon applies, and only to federally funded work.
How is public works construction procured in Kentucky?
By competitive sealed bidding under the Kentucky Model Procurement Code (KRS 45A); small-purchase limits are set by the adopting government.
Does Kentucky require multiple-prime contracts?
No. Kentucky has no statewide multiple-prime mandate, unlike New York (Wicks Law) or Pennsylvania (Separations Act).

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Not legal advice. This page summarizes public law from primary sources for reference. Thresholds can change; always confirm the current requirement with the governing agency before relying on it for a specific procurement.