Online Site Allows Advertising of Projects; Promotes Competitive Bidding
The potential partnering between project owner and contractor is one website or QR code click away with the creation of the Ohio Local Government Bidding (OLGB) Clearinghouse.
Find out about the OLGB Clearinghouse at: www.olgbclearinghouse.org
In August, the Ohio Local Government Bidding Clearinghouse went online at www.olgbclearinghouse.org. The Clearinghouse provides an avenue between the state’s local government officials and heavy/highway construction contractors to promote available project opportunities as well as participation in competitive bidding.
“It’s a tool for both owners and contractors to utilize,” explained OCA President Chris Runyan, who is working with the Ohio Township Association (OTA), Ohio Department of Transportation Local Technical Program (ODOT LTAP) and other local government officials to promote the Clearinghouse and its use. “This tool allows both project search on the part of contractors and the increase in the amount of bidding on the part of local governments,” he said.
The Ohio Local Government Bidding Clearinghouse is available for county, township, city and local municipalities in the state to list highway construction projects in order to attract interest from contractors to bid on the work. Efforts are already underway that would expand the project listing to ODOT contracts as well. While not a digital bidding service, the OLGB Clearinghouse does provide an outlet for Ohio’s local officials to get the word out to the contracting community.
“We routinely hear from townships throughout the state that when they put roadwork out to bid, either zero or only one contractor bids on the job,” said OTA Executive Director Heidi Fought. “The Ohio Township Association is hopeful that the OLGB Clearinghouse will provide additional bidders enhancing competition and thus resulting in the best possible price …”
Runyan said the outcry of local officials not having adequate response from contractors during project lettings prompted creation of the Clearinghouse. “I’ve spent a lot of years down at the statehouse hearing different testimonies every other year for the transportation budget and other specific issues … I hear local governments expressing the need for more bidders and more competition, or the concern that they aren’t getting enough bidders.”
OCA’s executive leader since 2007, who said creation of the Clearinghouse has FEATURE been something he has wanted to accomplish for a while, discussed how the OLGB Clearinghouse also fills a need for contractors. “For contractors, it’s an opportunity to have a larger look at the available projects on a grander scale at one time,” Runyan said. “The ability to sort is included in the program, where you can sort on location – as far as what county the project is located; the approximate dollar value; and you can also sort on the work types. It will give the contractors the ability to zero in on more projects that may better fit what they do, and the size that they can handle and the location and have a greater menu of projects to decide on.”
The Clearinghouse is free of charge for both contractors and local governments – though governmental entities must initially register to advertise projects for bidding. There is no registration required for contractors to utilize the site. Short videos, such as: “I’m new and want to post a project,” “I have an account and want to post a project” and “I want to view available projects” are available to government officials and contractors to learn more about the Clearinghouse at www.olgbclearinghouse.org.
As word spreads about the convenience of the OLGB Clearinghouse, the number of local projects available – as well as contractors interested in bidding on those projects – will grow, as both OTA and OCA are doing their part in promoting the service.
“The OTA encourages all OCA members to participate in the OLGB Clearinghouse, just as we are encouraging all OTA members,” said Fought. OTA, which is celebrating its 95th year as an association in 2023, represents Ohio’s 1,308 townships – which are home to an estimated 35% of the state’s population. “The OLGB Clearinghouse allows the industry to expand its current clientele and work area. It provides townships the opportunity to make more bidders aware of their projects. Many township projects are small, but with 41,000 miles of roads to maintain, there are many township projects,” Fought added.
“Open it up. Give it a shot,” Runyan said of his message to contractors about seeking future work through the OLGB Clearinghouse. “It’s going to take a while to evolve as more and more counties, townships and municipalities start looking at it and using it … My goal is to see it become the primary point of contact at bidding time between owners and contractors.”