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How to become a Pre-Qualified Architect, Engineer or Professional Consultant

New Bench Certification!
(formerly Consultant Prequalification)

The Board of Trustees of the San Mateo County Community College District has determined that construction related professional services consultants who wish to do business with the District, and its three colleges, College of San Mateo, Skyline College and Cañada College, must complete a consultant prequalification application.  A completed and successful application will allow consultants the opportunity to prequalify with the District.

Effective May of 2022, the District has decided to use the Bench Certification process thru its online vendor management portal, PlanetBids, to prequalify new and re-qualify previously prequalified consultants.

SMCCD’s Bench Certification program consists of two types of applications:

1) Architectural and Engineering (A&E) Bench Certification. In accordance with Chapter 10 of Government Code, the District requires all firms who provide architectural, landscape architectural, professional engineering, environmental, land surveying, and construction project management services, to complete a pre-qualification application as part of its competitive selection process for A&E services.

2) Professional Consultants Bench Certification.
For all other types of consultants, who do not fall under the above application type, such as cost estimators, air quality/hazmat, inspection services, testing materials, etc.

Click on the link below to apply now:

Bench Certification

We look forward to your participation.

If you have any questions about the bench certification process, please send an email to vendorprequal@smccd.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions:


Professional Services Agreements