Field notes from Texas public works
Weekly, plainspoken articles for trade contractors bidding on Texas city, county, and school district work. No fluff — just the stuff that actually moves the needle when you're trying to win public dollars.
How to Read a 50-Page City RFP in 20 Minutes
The triage method that contractors who win three out of four bids use. Skip 80% of the document, find the 20% that decides whether you bid at all, and get to "go" or "no-go" before your competitors finish the cover page.
ESBD vs City Portals: Where Texas Contracts Actually Live in 2026
The Electronic State Business Daily is famous and almost useless if you're a city/county contractor. Here's the actual map of where Texas local work is posted in 2026 — by platform, by agency type, and by what you'll never find on ESBD.
The Texas Prompt Payment Act: When You Actually Get Paid
Government Code Chapter 2251 says cities owe you in 30 days and subs in 10. The reality is messier. Here's how the statute really works, when interest accrues, and the three sentences that make a payment demand letter actually land.
5 Mistakes That Get Your Texas Municipal Bid Disqualified
A reviewable bid is a bid you can win. An unreviewable bid goes straight in the trash before anyone reads your number. These are the five disqualifiers that catch first-time bidders — and a couple seasoned ones too.
Bid Bonds in Texas: When You Need One and What They Actually Cost
Cashier's check, surety bond, or letter of credit — Texas Local Govt Code §252.043 gives you options. Here's which one to use, what bonding capacity to ask your surety for, and what it really costs to be bond-ready.
HUB Certification in Texas: The Walkthrough Nobody Gives You
Historically Underutilized Business certification opens doors most contractors don't realize exist — including 21% of state spend that's set aside or carries HUB participation goals. Here's the application, the timeline, and the renewal trap.
What's a Reasonable Margin on Texas Public Works Bids?
Public work pays slow and audits hard, which means the margins are different from private. Here's what experienced Texas contractors carry for OH&P by trade, why "low bid" doesn't mean "lowest cost," and the three line items that actually decide profitability.
The Best Time of Year to Bid on Texas Municipal Contracts
Texas fiscal year flips October 1 for the state and most cities. ISDs run July 1. That means there are very predictable bid waves — and very predictable dead zones. Knowing the rhythm of the year is worth a couple wins all by itself.
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