In this week’s Mass Trades Weekly:
Q1 Report: Who’s Awarding & Winning Public Work Across Massachusetts
Small public jobs you can bid this week that don’t require DCAMM
Large project tracker + Contractor Outreach Guide
Worth a Read: Surety Bonds Explained, by Pete Covill
Game: Who Won this Project?
In Your Corner: Local Services for Contractors (New)
Announcements:
MTW is seeking recommendations for local surety brokers and estimators you know, like, and personally trust
I would be grateful if you can share an issue of MTW with a friend or colleague!
I’m cheering for you. Now go out and crush it.
~Christie
Q1 Report: Who’s Awarding & Winning Public Work Across Massachusetts
A Q1 (Jan-March) snapshot of large public projects and the contractors winning them across Massachusetts. Use this, along with this week’s large project listings below, to identify where subcontracting opportunities may be opening up and who to reach out to.
Click here → MTW Quarter 1 Report (printable)
A Few Notes on Small Public Projects
• Consult the bid documents: Always check the official project documents for full details including scope, requirements, and deadlines.
• Bonding: Public projects in Massachusetts frequently require bonding. If you don’t already have it in place, consider reaching out to a surety broker to line it up prior to bidding on a project.
• Prevailing wage: Assume prevailing wage for public work at all price points.
Click here → Email template (NEW) for requesting small job bid docs (printable). Use this when the listing directs you to email a town contact for access to plans and specs.
Click here → This week’s Small Public Job Listings (spreadsheet)
Why should small contractors care about large public projects? Large projects
show who the active primes worth knowing are. You’re not here for the
contract, you’re here for the contacts.
• Read this first - Contractor Outreach Guide (printable)
• Posted April 1, 2026 - Large Public Projects (spreadsheet)
Worth a Read: Surety Bonds Explained
If you’re starting to look at jobs that require bonding, understanding how surety works is critical. This article breaks down the different types of bonds, how the process works, and why a Letter of Bondability is often the first step before bidding.
Key takeaway: know your bonding capacity before you spend time pricing jobs.
Read it here: Surety Bonds in Construction: What Contractors in New England Need to Know, by Pete Covill, Certified Insurance Counselor.
Game: Who Won this Project?
The Quest at 1213 Purchase Street in New Bedford is undergoing a full renovation, including interior upgrades like a new lobby, atrium stairs, common areas, and a redesigned top floor for offshore wind and maritime businesses. Exterior work includes new lighting, mechanical and utility upgrades, repointing of the brick façade, and updated signage visible from JFK Boulevard. Read more here.
Who won The Quest Exterior Improvements for $998K?
Local Services for Contractors
Public work runs on paperwork, cash flow, and relationships. I’m building a small group of local professionals who help contractors at all different stages navigate public work.
I’ve spoken directly with the people listed here and feel comfortable pointing you toward them.
Pete Covill — Surety & Contractor Insurance
HCC Insurance Agency (New Bedford)
Helps contractors understand bonding requirements and get approved before bidding public work
Best fit for contractors preparing to bid bonded jobs or who are unsure if they qualify
📧 [email protected]
📞 508-997-3321
🌐 www.hccinsuranceagency.com
If you connect with anyone listed here, feel free to share how it goes. I’m always looking to make sure I continue to point people in the right direction.