Prequalify You must prequalify your business before working with NCDOT.

With some exceptions, all businesses must be prequalified to provide services to NCDOT. The types of firms that regularly do business with NCDOT are prime contractors and subcontractors, which perform construction and/or maintenance for transportation facilities, including highways, airports, ferries, etc. Private consulting firms offer professional services, such as engineering design, research, studies, etc. for these same facilities. Each provider is detailed below.
 
Prime Contractors
Prime contractors serve as the general contractor for a given project. Prime contractors may pursue two contract options: 

Central-let contracts (central letting)
  Prequalification required.
Purchase order contracts (division letting)
  Prequalification required.

Note: Small Business Enterprise contracts do not require prequalification, but does require SBE certification to bid. 
Be sure to read the guidelines for SBE certification.

Subcontractors
Subcontractors may perform work under the prime contractor on central-let, purchase order and small business enterprise (SBE) contracts.  

Central-let contracts (central letting)
  Prequalification required.
Purchase order contracts (division letting)
  Prequalification required.
Small business enterprise (SBE) contracts
  The firm can either be a prequalified subcontractor or a certified SBE.  Be sure to read the guidelines for SBE certification.

Private Consulting Firms
Private consulting firms are those companies that work in NCDOT contracts concerning design, planning, environmental, traffic or right-of-way services. Most of the work of private consulting firms is performed during the pre-construction phase of a project. Prequalification is required before submitting a Letter of Interest for all contracts, unless otherwise specified.