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How to submit a sealed bid to a county

To submit a sealed county bid, read the whole bid package and every addendum, complete and sign every required form, include the bid bond if required, seal and label the envelope exactly as instructed, and deliver it to the right office before the deadline. Late bids are rejected.

Sealed bids are won on price and lost on paperwork. Here is a process that avoids the common mistakes.

1. Read everything first

Read the whole package: the notice, instructions to bidders, specifications, bid form, contract terms, insurance and bonding requirements, and every addendum. Note:

  • the deadline (date, time and time zone) and the exact delivery address;
  • any mandatory pre-bid meeting;
  • the deadline for questions;
  • required forms, signatures and notarizations;
  • bid security requirements.

2. Ask questions in writing, early

Send questions by the stated deadline, in writing, to the named contact. Answers that change anything come out as addenda. Don't rely on a phone answer.

3. Price carefully

Price from the latest documents. Include bonds, insurance, prevailing wages if required, and delivery. Check the math: many bid forms say unit prices win if a total doesn't match.

4. Complete every form

  • Sign where required, by someone authorized to bind your company.
  • Acknowledge every addendum by number.
  • Attach the bid bond or certified check if required.
  • Include affidavits (non-collusion, state forms) and notarize where asked.
  • Don't add conditions or alternate terms unless the bid allows them.

Use our bid checklist before you seal.

5. Seal and label

Put everything in a sealed envelope or box, labeled exactly as instructed: usually the bid name and number, the opening date and your company name. If electronic submission is allowed, upload early and keep the confirmation.

6. Deliver early

Deliver at least a day early if you can. Get a time-stamped receipt for hand delivery, or use tracked overnight delivery with time to spare.

7. Attend the bid opening

Attend or watch the bid opening, then request the bid tabulation. Whether you win or not, you'll learn the market price.

Questions

What happens if my bid arrives one minute late?

It is almost always rejected and returned unopened. Courier and traffic delays don't count as excuses.

Can I change my bid after I submit it?

Usually you can withdraw and resubmit before the deadline, following the bid's instructions. After the deadline, bids generally can't be changed.

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

How to submit a sealed bid to a county | FactWise