This is a guest blog post from the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM).

As part of Governor Baker’s commitment to make doing business in the Commonwealth easier, DCAMM has launched a new online certification process, making it faster and more convenient to get certified as a contractor and maintain your status. You can now apply for and renew your certifications online.

Contractor Certification and the ePLACE Portal

You can get authorization to bid on construction projects for Massachusetts public agencies through DCAMM’s Office of Contractor Certification. These projects include the construction, reconstruction, installation, demolition, maintenance, or repair of buildings with an estimated total project cost of more than $100,000.

Along with the ease of applying through one online system and eliminating mailing costs or trips to the post office, ePLACE Portal offers you a number of other benefits, including:

• Online payment of application fees
• Online account management with up-to-date information on your application status
• Ability to view and print Certificates of Eligibility
• Reduced processing time

What Are the Types of Certifications Available?

DCAMM offers three types of certification:

• Prime/General Certification — Can bid on public projects with a budget of more than $100,000
• Small Project Contractor Certification — Can bid on public projects between $100,000 and $250,000
• Sub-Bidder Certification — Required where any one category of work on a project is expected to cost more than $20,000

What Are the Requirements for Certification?

Different requirements apply depending on the type of certification you’re applying for. When you apply, DCAMM will check your company’s finances, ethics, experience, and competency in your field.

In addition, with the introduction of the ePLACE Portal, you will have to meet some new requirements:

• You may not submit an application more than four months before your current certificate expires.
• You must submit a Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) Certificate of Good Standing no more than 30 days old.
• You must not submit bonding letters older than three months.
• You must include an authorized signatory list — a list of people who can sign binding documents for your company — in your application.
• You must have accurate email addresses for your evaluators. All evaluation requests will be sent by email.
• If you apply online, you must use the most current version of the Projects in Progress and Completed Projects spreadsheets.

How to Apply for Certification

Before ePLACE Portal, companies had to submit all the forms and supporting paperwork for their applications by email and snail mail. Now, though, the whole application process is online.

DCAMM’s applications webpage provides helpful checklists, downloadable forms, and more details to help you complete your application, but the basic steps are:

1. Review the application checklists for summaries of all required documents
2. Be aware of the new requirements for all applicants
3. Submit your application on the ePLACE Portal
4. Check back on the portal periodically to see the status of your application

If you have any questions about the ePLACE Portal or your application, you can contact DCAMM at (617) 727-4050 or certification.dcamm@state.ma.us.

Share this post with friends or family who might be interested in bidding on public construction projects. Comment below or tweet us @DCAMM_MA with any questions.

Tags: construction, construction projects, contractor, contractor certification, contractors, government technology, online certification, public works, state contract, subcontractors