Contractors working with the South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) must follow various rules, standards, and reporting systems to ensure quality, fairness, and compliance. From prequalification to materials testing and fuel index tracking, every step in the process has dedicated support and updated information.
Table of Contents
Concrete Pipe Release
- Pipe Release Updates
- Reports are updated every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
- Available as Excel files
- Used for tracking approved concrete pipe materials for use in highway projects
- Listed Suppliers
- Cemcast
- Engineered Concrete Products, LLC (ECP)
- Rinker Materials
- Old Castle Concrete Products
Prequalified Contractors
- Prequalification List
- Updated nightly from Sunday to Thursday
- May require pressing Ctrl+F5 to load the latest version
- Application Process
- Submit the Contractor Prequalification Statement form
- Assigns Work Classifications based on experience and capacity
- Work Classifications
- Earthwork
- Structures
- Electrical
- Surfacing
- Signing and Stripping
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)
- Goal Methodology
- Posted on the SDDOT Aviation website
- For Federal Fiscal Years 2026–2028
- Available for inspection until July 21, 2025
- Feedback Submission
- Email to kyle.watkins@state.sd.us
- Mail to SDDOT DBE Program, 700 E Broadway Avenue, Pierre, SD
- DBE Services
- Directory of certified businesses
- Good Faith Effort (GFE) support
- Supportive Services for DBE firms
- Interstate DBE Certification
- Forms and documents for new applicants
Fuel Price Index
- Weekly Fuel Data
- Four-week averages
- Tracks No. 2 Diesel, Unleaded Gasoline, and Propane (LPG)
- Based on FOB South Dakota terminals
- Price Index Use
- The current Fuel Index affects progress payments
- Base Fuel Index used in contract evaluation at the bid letting stage
| Fuel Type | Data Tracked | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| No. 2 Diesel | Weekly Average Price | Construction fuel cost adjustment |
| Unleaded Gasoline | Weekly Average Price | Used in fuel payment index |
| Propane (LPG) | Weekly Average Price | Used for burner fuel estimates |
Labor Compliance
- Scope of Compliance
- Applies to:
- Federal-aid projects above $2,000
- State-funded projects above $100,000
- Includes all subcontractors
- Applies to:
- Davis-Bacon & Related Acts (DBRA) Rules
- Workers must be paid weekly without unlawful deductions
- Must receive at least contract-stated wage rates
- Overtime: 1.5× regular rate for over 40 hours/week
- Wages and benefits must be paid within 7 days
- Non-compliance Reporting
- Report to Dail Mollard, Labor Compliance Officer
Elation Systems Webinar
- Purpose
- Help contractors submit accurate electronic payroll reports
- Offer training for handling compliance and data entry
- Covered Topics
- Job classification selection
- Fringe benefits tracking
- Payroll submission and corrections
- Multi-project work hours reporting
Materials Testing
- Laboratories and Services
- Surfacing and rehabilitation testing
- Concrete and asphalt mix design
- Smoothness and pavement core testing
- Chemistry and aggregate labs
- Nuclear calibration
| Lab Name | Service |
|---|---|
| Concrete Lab | Testing concrete mix design |
| Bituminous Lab | Liquid asphalt and mix design |
| Chemistry Lab | Material chemical analysis |
| Aggregate Lab | Particle size and quality analysis |
| Nuclear Calibration Lab | Density and moisture measurement |
Preconstruction Meetings
- Required Forms and Documents
- DOT 270 Authorization Form
- DOT 271 Meeting Outline
- DOT 272 Contractor Submittal List
- Training Resources
- Video presentations
- Facilitation training clips
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section
Price Adjustment Guidelines
- Use of Fuel Price Index
- Adjust contract prices based on fuel market trends
- Affects both base and current pricing during the project
- Index Use in Contracts
- Included as part of the progress payments
- Ensures fair cost adjustments for fuel-intensive operations
Standard Specifications
- Current Edition
- 2015 SDDOT Standard Specifications for Roads and Bridges
- Mandatory for all projects after September 2, 2015
- How to Access
- Available online
- Print copies and order forms provided
| Specification Edition | Applies to Projects After | Access Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 Edition | September 2, 2015 | Online & printed |
Subcontract Requirements
- Key Documents
- Request to Sublet Work
- Required Contract Provisions
- SDDOT Prompt Payment Policy
- Labor Compliance documentation
- Responsibility
- The main contractor must ensure that all subcontractors comply with the rules and submit the required documents
Webinars and Meetings
- Annual AGC & DOT Meeting
- Held in Fall
- Discusses ongoing collaborations and upcoming spring topics
- Alternative Contracting Webinar
- Organized by SDDOT
- Explains non-traditional contract methods for highway projects
- Available for replay through the official portal
The Way Forward
Contractors working with the South Dakota Department of Transportation must follow detailed procedures that ensure safety, transparency, and fairness in highway construction and maintenance. Every aspect, from prequalification and labor compliance to material testing and pricing adjustments, is supported by regularly updated information and training tools. This structured system not only helps contractors work efficiently but also ensures that public infrastructure is built to high standards.
