Guide
Bidding Coeur d’Alene and Kootenai County jobs
Last updated
City and county construction in Idaho follows the same state rules, then each owner adds its own instructions in the bid documents. Here’s what applies in Coeur d’Alene and Kootenai County, with the source for each point.
Where the bids are
- City of Coeur d’Alene: Bid Solicitations. Documents are on the city’s Abadan plan room; the account is free but approved by Abadan, so sign up before you need it.
- Kootenai County: Bid Postings. Use Notify Me to get bid alerts by email or text.
- State and federal-aid road work in the area (including city projects ITD or LHTAC advertise) is on ITD and LHTAC: see ITD and LHTAC.
Plan-holder lists
Coeur d’Alene’s bid ads say you must register by downloading the documents (free) or buying hard copies through the plan room to be on the official plan-holders list and get addenda (for example, the city’s 2026 Mill & Inlay ad). Under Idaho law, owners must send their answers to written objections to all plan holders (Idaho Code 67-2805). If you’re not on the list you can miss an addendum, which is the most common way to get a bid tossed.
Advertising and deadlines
- Over $250,000: two newspaper notices, the first at least two weeks before the opening and the second at least seven days before. Bids are sealed, opened in public, and can’t be withdrawn after the opening time (67-2805).
- Written objections to specs or procedures must arrive at least three business days before the opening (one business day on $100,000–$250,000 jobs).
- $100,000–$250,000: the owner may just send a written solicitation to at least three licensed contractors, with at least three business days to respond.
Bonds
- Bid security: optional for the owner, but if required it must be at least 5% of the bid, as cash, a cashier’s or certified check, or a bid bond (67-2805). Coeur d’Alene’s 2026 Mill & Inlay ad required 5%.
- Performance and payment bonds: required on public works contracts of $50,000 or more, each at least 85% of the contract amount. The owner can’t require you to use a particular surety (Idaho Code 54-1926).
Prevailing wage
Idaho has no state prevailing wage law; it was repealed in 1985 (U.S. Department of Labor). State law also bars the state and local governments from requiring set wages or benefits on public works unless federal law requires it (Idaho Code 44-2013). Federal Davis-Bacon wages do apply when the job has federal funding, which is common on ITD and LHTAC road work (Idaho Department of Labor). Coeur d’Alene’s 2026 Mill & Inlay ad stated that prevailing wages were not required. Check the funding line in each ad.
License and sub listing
Coeur d’Alene’s ads state that an Idaho public works contractor license is required to bid. See our license guide. On building jobs you must list your plumbing, HVAC and electrical subs (Idaho Code 67-2310).
FAQ
Does Coeur d’Alene require prevailing wage?
Idaho has no state prevailing wage, and Idaho Code 44-2013 bars local governments from requiring one unless federal law does. Federally funded jobs carry Davis-Bacon wages. The city’s 2026 Mill & Inlay ad stated prevailing wages were not required.
How big a bid bond do Idaho cities and counties require?
Bid security is optional for the owner, but if required it must be at least 5% of the bid under Idaho Code 67-2805.
When are performance and payment bonds required on Idaho public works?
On contracts of $50,000 or more, each bond must be at least 85% of the contract amount (Idaho Code 54-1926).
Sources
- City of Coeur d’Alene bid solicitations
- Kootenai County bid postings
- Idaho Code 67-2805
- Idaho Code 54-1926
- Idaho Code 44-2013
- U.S. DOL state prevailing wage laws
- Idaho DOL labor laws
- Idaho Code 67-2310