Ohio public works bidding requirements
Summary of record
- Competitive bidding threshold (public work)
- $79,568 (2026)
- Governing statute
- Ohio Revised Code §9.17
- Award standard
- Lowest responsive and responsible bidder
- Multiple-prime required?
- Yes — ORC §153.50
- Prevailing wage
- ORC Chapter 4115
- Addenda distribution
- To all plan holders
Competitive bidding threshold
Public work at or over $79,568 for 2026 must be competitively bid — the figure is set annually by the Ohio Department of Commerce under Ohio Revised Code §9.17, indexed at up to 3% a year from a $75,000 base.1 Villages carry a separate $50,000 threshold (ORC 731.14) and most state work a $200,000 threshold.
The §9.17 threshold is reset each January. Confirm the current-year figure on the Ohio Department of Commerce competitive-bidding-threshold page.
Award standard
Contracts go to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.2
Multiple-prime contracts
Ohio requires separate prime contracts for electrical, HVAC, and plumbing work under ORC §153.50 — unless the public authority uses a general contract, construction-manager-at-risk, or design-build delivery.3 House Bill 153 removed the old $50,000 multiple-prime trigger and opened those single-prime delivery methods.
Prevailing wage
Public work is subject to prevailing wage under ORC Chapter 4115.4 Building thresholds are $250,000 for new construction and $75,000 for renovation; road and other horizontal work uses biennially adjusted figures ($78,258 new / $23,447 reconstruction).
Document distribution & addenda
Ohio DOT §102.05 issues addenda to all holders of plan documents, and under §102.13 the bid may be postponed by addendum.5
The bid may be postponed by addendum under §102.13.
Record of change
For 2026, Ohio's competitive-bidding threshold rose to $79,568 (from $77,250), set by the Department of Commerce under the ORC §9.17 annual index. Earlier, House Bill 153 removed the $50,000 multiple-prime trigger and allowed single-prime delivery methods under ORC §153.50.
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Verified
Added document-distribution source: Construction and Material Specifications §102.05, §102.13.
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Verified
Page created and verified against the Ohio Dept. of Commerce threshold, ORC §9.17, §153.50, and Chapter 4115.
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Threshold
Competitive-bidding threshold set at $79,568 for 2026 (+3% index, ORC §9.17).
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Law
HB 153 removed the $50,000 multiple-prime trigger and opened GC / CM-at-risk / design-build delivery.
Sources
- 1. Ohio Dept. of Commerce — Competitive bidding threshold (annual). com.ohio.gov
- 2. Ohio Laws — Ohio Revised Code §9.17 (indexed threshold). codes.ohio.gov
- 3. Ohio Laws — Ohio Revised Code §153.50 (multiple-prime). codes.ohio.gov
- 4. Ohio Laws — Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4115 (prevailing wage). codes.ohio.gov
- 5. Ohio DOT (ODOT) — Construction and Material Specifications §102.05, §102.13. ftp.dot.state.oh.us
Frequently asked
- What is the competitive bidding threshold for public works in Ohio?
- $79,568 for 2026, set annually by the Ohio Department of Commerce under ORC §9.17 (indexed up to 3% a year). Villages use a $50,000 threshold and most state work $200,000.
- Does Ohio require multiple-prime contracts?
- Yes, separate primes for electrical, HVAC, and plumbing under ORC §153.50 — unless the authority uses general-contract, construction-manager-at-risk, or design-build delivery.
- Does Ohio require prevailing wages on public works?
- Yes, under ORC Chapter 4115 — with building thresholds of $250,000 (new) and $75,000 (renovation).
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