What a bid packet contains
People also call it a bid package or bid set. The owner and the architect issue it. General contractors pass it to subcontractors, often with their own instructions on top.
- The invitation to bid, with the bid date and the place.
- Instructions to bidders and the bid form.
- The agreement, the bond forms and the conditions of the contract.
- Division 01, General Requirements.
- The technical specifications.
- The drawings for every discipline.
- Every addendum issued during bidding.
- Reference documents, such as a soils report or a survey, on some jobs.
What the general contractor may add
A general contractor's invitation can include a scope sheet for your trade, a bid form, a schedule and insurance requirements. It can also include a deadline earlier than the owner's bid time. Treat these as part of the packet.
What a subcontractor needs from it
- The trade spec section and each related section it names.
- Division 01 and the front end.
- Every sheet that shows the trade, plus the sheets that show supports and power.
- All addenda, in order.
- The general contractor's scope sheet and deadline.
Check that the packet is complete
Compare the files you have against the sheet index and the table of contents. Look for missing sheets and missing spec volumes. Check the plan room for the latest addendum number. A packet forwarded by email often lacks the last addendum.
Facts to pull from the front of the packet
- Bid date and time.
- Completion date or contract time.
- Bond requirements.
- Prevailing wage requirements.
- Tax exempt status.
- Warranty period.
These facts change your price even though no drawing shows them.
Takeoff Tool reads a bid packet for one trade. It reads these cover facts from the packet and shows the quote each one came from.
Bid documents · Updated 11 Nov 2026