California Public Works Construction Attorneys
California public works construction attorneys handling bid protests, prevailing wage issues, payment claims, and public contract disputes.
Public works construction involves a different set of rules — and a different set of risks. Government agencies have unique contracting requirements, strict bidding procedures, and powerful defenses that don't exist in private construction. Contractors who don't know the rules get hurt.
Why It Happens
Public works disputes arise from bid protests, differing site conditions, owner-caused delays, changed conditions, terminations for convenience, and payment disputes on government projects. The Public Contract Code governs most aspects of public construction in California.
California public works construction is governed by a comprehensive statutory framework: the Public Contract Code (bidding, award, and contract administration), Labor Code §1720 et seq. (prevailing wage — DIR determines rates by trade and county), Government Code §900 et seq. (Government Claims Act — mandatory pre-lawsuit claim within 6 months), and Public Contract Code §9204 (contractor claims procedure — mandatory meet-and-confer before litigation). The Little Miller Act (Civil Code §9550 et seq.) requires payment bonds on public works over $25,000. Prevailing wage violations carry back wages, 25% penalties, and debarment. Bid protests must be filed within 5 business days of bid opening. Public agencies have sovereign immunity defenses not available in private construction, making early legal strategy critical. The California False Claims Act (Government Code §12650) also applies to fraudulent billing on public projects.
What's at Risk
- Missing the claim submission deadline under the contract or Government Claims Act
- Prevailing wage violations that result in penalties and debarment
- Bid protest deadlines that are extremely short (often 5 business days)
- Government immunity defenses that limit recovery
- Failure to comply with the Government Claims Act before filing suit
- Failing to submit a timely Government Claims Act claim before filing suit
- Missing the bid protest deadline
- Not understanding prevailing wage requirements
- Failing to document claims as they arise on the project
- Assuming public works disputes are handled the same as private works
A general contractor was improperly disqualified from a $22M public works bid in favor of a higher-priced competitor. We filed a bid protest within the 5-day deadline, documented the agency's failure to follow its own evaluation criteria, and obtained a court order requiring the agency to re-evaluate the bids. Our client was awarded the contract.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is different.
Frequently Asked Questions
- We handle bid protests from initial filing through resolution
- We pursue public works payment claims through all available remedies
- We navigate the Government Claims Act and public contract claims procedures
- We defend against prevailing wage investigations and assessments
- We handle stop notice claims on public projects
Bid protest deadlines are 5 business days — act immediately.
Public works disputes involve strict government claim filing requirements. Missing them bars your claim permanently.
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