What is Montana's prevailing-wage threshold?

$25,000 — Montana's Little Davis-Bacon law (MCA Title 18-2) applies to public works construction or nonconstruction services costing $25,000 or more.

Does Montana have a resident-hire requirement?

Yes. At least 50% of each contractor's workers on a public works job must be bona fide Montana residents.

Does Montana require multiple-prime contracts?

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

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Montana

Montana public works bidding requirements

Jurisdiction: State of Montana

View change history

Summary of record

Verified Jul 8, 2026

Competitive bidding threshold (public work): Competitive bidding
Governing statute: Little Davis-Bacon (MCA Title 18-2)
Award standard: Lowest responsible bidder
Multiple-prime required?: No statewide mandate
Prevailing wage: $25,000 or more
Addenda distribution: To all prospective bidders

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Competitive bidding threshold

Public works are competitively bid; each public body sets the dollar limit below which simplified procedures apply.

Award standard

Contracts go to the lowest responsible bidder.

Multiple-prime contracts

Montana 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

Montana's Little Davis-Bacon law (MCA Title 18-2) applies to public works — construction (heavy, highway, building) or nonconstruction services — costing $25,000 or more.¹

Montana also requires that at least 50% of each contractor's workers on the job be bona fide Montana residents.

Document distribution & addenda

Montana DOT §102-3 requires the Department to issue any addendum to all prospective bidders before bid opening.³

Record of change

Montana's Little Davis-Bacon law (MCA Title 18-2) requires prevailing wage on public works of $25,000 or more, and — distinctively — that at least half of each contractor's on-site workers be Montana residents.

Verified
Jul 8, 2026

Added document-distribution source: Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction §102-3.
Verified
Jul 7, 2026

Page created and verified against MCA Title 18-2 (Little Davis-Bacon) and the MT DLI prevailing-wage program.

Sources

1. Montana Legislature — MCA Title 18, Chapter 2 (public contracts; prevailing wage). leg.mt.gov
2. MT Dept. of Labor & Industry — Public contracts / prevailing wage law. erd.dli.mt.gov
3. Montana DOT (MDT) — Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction §102-3. www.mdt.mt.gov

Frequently asked

What is Montana's prevailing-wage threshold?: $25,000 — Montana's Little Davis-Bacon law (MCA Title 18-2) applies to public works construction or nonconstruction services costing $25,000 or more.
Does Montana have a resident-hire requirement?: Yes. At least 50% of each contractor's workers on a public works job must be bona fide Montana residents.
Does Montana require multiple-prime contracts?: No. Montana 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.