Caltrans Construction Contract Standards

Caltrans construction contract standards includes (1) Standard Special Provisions (SSPs), (2) Notice to Bidders, (3) Standard Specifications, (4) Standard Plans, (5) Standard Bid Items, and (6) Bid Book.

Using the standards is required to ensure that contracts are clear, concise, correct, complete, and that they comply with FHWA guidelines.

Do not edit an SSP beyond the instructions in that SSP.

The Department requires substantial justification and approval for deviation from the standards. Deviation should be rare and will not be approved for minor or preferential changes.

These standards are the culmination of extensive development by the Department's most competent and proficient professionals. Concurrence has been obtained from stakeholders including the construction division, legal division, and FHWA. When applicable, concurrence has also been obtained from industry and other agencies.

The current edition of the standards is dated 2010. The 2006 standards may be used for projects until September 30, 2012. Older editions are shown for information, are not current, and should not be used for new projects.

• Buy copies of the standards and guides
• Manuals for Plan preparation
• 2010 Standards:
  • Standard Plans
  • Standard Specifications
    The Department of Transportation has provided this electronic version of the Standard Specifications and Standard Plans dated 2010 as a service to the public. If a discrepancy exists between the printed publications and the electronic publications of these documents, the printed publications govern.
  • SSPs
  • Updates
  • Revised Standard Specifications (RSS)
  • Bid Items
  • Templates
  • Style Guide
  • Quick Guide
  • Guidance Documents
  • Training
• 2006 Standards (US Customary Units):
  • Standard Plans
  • Plan Updates
  • Standard Specifications
  • Amendments to the Standard Specifications (S1-020)
  • SSPs
  • Updates
  • Bridge Reference Specifications
  • Bid Items
  • Templates
  • Style Guide
  • Style Guide Q&A
• 1999-2004 Standards (Metric Units - Not updated after 7/1/08):
  • Standard Plans
  • Standard Specifications
  • Amendments to the Standard Specifications
  • SSPs
  • Bridge Reference Specifications
  • Style Guide
• 2002 Standards (Dual Units - Not updated after 7/1/03):
  • Standard Plans
  • Standard Specifications
  • SSPs
• Superceded plans, including 1999 Standard Plans and earlier can be found here.