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Public works

Public works are construction, alteration or repair projects for government-owned property, such as roads, bridges, buildings and utilities. State law sets special bidding, bonding and wage rules for them.

Public works rules are usually stricter than the rules for buying goods. Expect formal advertising, sealed bids, bid bonds, performance and payment bonds, insurance requirements and, in some states, prevailing wages.

State examples

  • Indiana: public works are governed by IC 36-1-12, with formal sealed bids at $300,000 or more and quotes between $50,000 and $300,000.
  • Iowa: county building projects follow Iowa Code chapter 26. County road and bridge work paid from the secondary road fund follows separate road statutes (such as Iowa Code 309 and 331.341) instead of chapter 26.

See our state guides for Texas, Indiana and Iowa.

Sources

Last reviewed Oct 30, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. Laws and thresholds change; check the current statute and the bid documents.