2026 Contractor Prequalification Program
SMCCCD’s 2026 Contractor Prequalification Program is now available and accepting applications.
All new contractors will need to register and complete a new application. For those previously prequalified, all you need to do is log in to the vendor portal site, read through the prequalification application, update any information that has changed for your firm, complete and re-submit your application.
SMCCD’s prequalification program consists of two types of applications:
1) CUPCCAA (Qualified Contractors List) – Informal Bid Qualification
The San Mateo County Community College District has adopted the California Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act (CUPCCAA) under Public Contract Code §22000 et seq. In accordance with the State of California Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Commission, the District is inviting all interested licensed contractors to submit their company for inclusion on the District’s list of qualified contractors for calendar year 2026. Per California Public Contract Code 22032, any public works project that is estimated to be below $220,000.00 is subject to the Informal Bidding Procedures set forth by the CUPCCAA Commission. All trade categories are subject to Informal Bidding Procedures. Contractors that are interested in being on the 2026 Qualified Contractor’s List are required to have a current license and are subject to verification from the Contractor State License Board (CSLB).
2) Public Works Formal Projects (Prequalified Contractors List) – Formal Bid Prequalification
Pursuant to Public Contract Code sections §20101 and §20651.5, the San Mateo County Community College District may annually prequalify contractors to work on public works projects. San Mateo County Community College District requires its contractors to submit a standardized questionnaire and financial statement in a form specified by the District, including a complete statement of the prospective bidder’s financial ability and experience in performing public works construction/improvement projects for all of its public works projects over $220,000. In anticipation of this, we strongly encourage you to print out the Prequalification Worksheet to help you gather the information required prior to beginning this application process.
Click on the link below to apply now:
2026 Contractor Prequalification & Requalification
We look forward to your participation.
Questions? Virtual non-mandatory Contractor Outreach & Education Workshops are scheduled for Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 1:00PM and on Thursday, October 23, 2025 at 11:00AM via Zoom.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Which contractors must be prequalified?
A: Contractors of all license types, who want to enter into prime construction contracts
with the District must be prequalified. Subcontractors are not normally required to
be prequalified. However, the District may elect to prequalify subcontractors for
a specific project, which will be made known at the time the project is bid. Construction
contractor prequalification is not required for project specific prequalification.
Q: What is the difference between the two prequalification applications?
A:The CUPCCAA (Qualified Contractors List) is for all informal bids less than $220,000.00 and the Public Works Formal Projects (Prequalified Contractors List) is for all formal bids over $220,000.00. NOTE: If you select and complete the Public Works Formal Projects application type, you’ll be automatically registered under the CUPCCAA Qualified Contractors List.
Q: What does the Public Works Formal Projects pre-qualification process evaluate?
A: The pre-qualification process evaluates the following information:
- Contractor's License/DIR Registration
- Construction Experience
- Work History
- Litigation and Arbitration History
- Disqualification from Previous Projects
- Compliance with Statutory Requirements and Safety
- Prevailing Wage Requirements
- Project Personnel
- Insurance Requirements
- Bonding Information
- Financial Information
Q: How long is the prequalification period?
A: Prequalification is valid through the calendar year i.e. January 1st – December
31st. Prior to the end of the calendar year, a re-qualification reminder will be sent
to the currently approved contractors in order to stay on the current Prequalified
Contractor list.
Q: If contractor is prequalified through the District, would they have to complete a prequalification package for any project specific District job?
A. Yes, the District’s prequalification does not preclude a firm from any project specific prequalification, nor is it a prerequisite for the same.
IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS (DIR) PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION PROGRAM
All public works projects are subject to compliance monitoring and enforcement by the Department of Industrial Relations. ALL contractors and subcontractors bidding and working on public works projects MUST register with the DIR. As part of its prequalification process, the District requires all applicants who submit a 2026 Prequalification application to be registered with the Department of Industrial Relations. Registration and further information regarding this process can be found on the DIR website at: http://www.dir.ca.gov/Public-Works/PublicWorks.html
If you have any questions about the 2026 prequalification cycle, please send an email to vendorprequal@smccd.edu.