How is public works construction procured in Maine?

By competitive bidding under Title 5, Chapter 155, with each public body setting its own dollar limit.

Does Maine require multiple-prime contracts?

No. Maine has no statewide multiple-prime mandate, unlike New York (Wicks Law) or Pennsylvania (Separations Act).

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Maine

Maine public works bidding requirements

Jurisdiction: State of Maine

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Summary of record

Verified Jul 8, 2026

Competitive bidding threshold (public work): Competitive bidding
Governing statute: MRS Title 26 (prevailing wage)
Award standard: Lowest responsible bidder
Multiple-prime required?: No statewide mandate
Prevailing wage: $50,000 or more
Addenda distribution: To all bidders (Bid Amendments)

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Competitive bidding threshold

Contracts for public improvement awarded by the State are subject to competitive bidding under Title 5, Chapter 155; each public body sets the dollar limit below which simplified procedures apply.

Award standard

Contracts go to the lowest responsible bidder.

Multiple-prime contracts

Maine 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

Construction funded in whole or part by state funds and costing $50,000 or more requires a prevailing-wage determination attached to the bid documents, under Maine's prevailing-wage law (MRS Title 26).¹

Document distribution & addenda

MaineDOT §102 treats addenda as Department-issued Bid Amendments that are part of the bid documents; the specification does not state a separate formal to-all distribution clause.³

Record of change

Maine requires prevailing wage on state-funded construction of $50,000 or more, with a wage determination attached to each covered bid (MRS Title 26).

Verified
Jul 8, 2026

Added document-distribution source: Standard Specifications §102 (Bidding) — addenda issued as Department Bid Amendments.
Verified
Jul 7, 2026

Page created and verified against Maine's prevailing-wage law (MRS Title 26) and the MDOL rate schedules.

Sources

1. Maine Legislature — MRS Title 26 (preference to Maine works; prevailing wage). legislature.maine.gov
2. Maine Dept. of Labor — Prevailing wage rates in construction. maine.gov
3. Maine DOT (MaineDOT) — Standard Specifications §102 (Bidding) — addenda issued as Department Bid Amendments. www.maine.gov

Frequently asked

What is Maine's prevailing-wage threshold?: $50,000 — construction funded in whole or part by state funds and costing $50,000 or more requires a prevailing-wage determination on the bid documents (MRS Title 26).
How is public works construction procured in Maine?: By competitive bidding under Title 5, Chapter 155, with each public body setting its own dollar limit.
Does Maine require multiple-prime contracts?: No. Maine 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.