In the competitive world of public construction, bidding on School Construction Authority (SCA) projects in New York City comes with its own playbook. From strict documentation requirements to cost classifications and compliance with MWBE goals, mastering the SCA’s system is key to generating reliable and compliant estimates.
At True Bid Data, we help estimators and contractors navigate the nuances of SCA bidding—from quantity takeoffs to bid submission formatting—ensuring each estimate meets both city and agency standards.
What Is the NYC SCA and Why Does It Matter?
The New York City School Construction Authority (SCA) is responsible for the design, construction, and renovation of public school buildings in NYC. Unlike standard city agencies, the SCA enforces its own stringent requirements for:
- Cost estimating format (often Excel-based bid sheets)
- Itemized labor and material breakdowns
- MWBE participation thresholds
- Prequalified vendor usage
- Safety compliance and insurance thresholds
An estimate that’s 95% accurate but fails to meet SCA formatting guidelines or misses an MWBE commitment is likely to be rejected outright.
Key Elements of SCA-Compliant Estimating
CSI-Based Breakdown
Estimates must align with CSI Divisions. From Division 02 (Existing Conditions) to Division 26 (Electrical), all cost categories must match the official specification and drawing packages.
Labor and Material Separation
SCA submissions often require clear unit cost estimating—split between labor, material, equipment, and overhead. At True Bid Data, we ensure all takeoffs produce detailed outputs that meet these requirements.
NYC Prevailing Wages
Because these are public projects, all labor must be priced using prevailing wage rates for New York City. This includes benefits, union rates, and any labor escalation outlined by the SCA.
How True Bid Data Supports SCA Estimating
We provide tailored workflows and tools for estimating projects that meet SCA criteria:
Takeoff by Specification
Drawings and specifications for SCA jobs are often dense. Our team organizes each estimate by drawing set and specification section to ensure no scope is missed.
Line-by-Line Bid Sheets
SCA bids require uploading detailed bid sheets that match SCA’s Excel templates. We format outputs accordingly—eliminating manual edits and errors
MWBE Tracking
We include dedicated cost lines to help track Minority/Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) goals throughout the estimate. This allows for easy identification of subcontractor opportunities and compliance gaps.
Addenda and Rebid Management
SCA projects often include multiple rounds of addenda and sometimes require rebidding. We help maintain a clear change log with takeoff deltas and updated cost projections—ensuring your revised bid is fully aligned.
SCA Estimating in Practice: New York City Challenges
In a typical NYC SCA project—like a school auditorium renovation or mechanical system upgrade—estimators face:
- Working from dense bid packages exceeding 300 pages
- Coordinating site-specific access constraints
- Accounting for school-year phasing or night/weekend work
- Managing DOB and SCA dual approvals
All of these elements impact pricing, and ignoring them in the takeoff phase can cost the bid.
Best Practices for SCA Estimating Success
- Start with a clean drawing takeoff grouped by CSI and trade.
- Use True Bid Data tools for cost forecasting and takeoff breakdowns that reflect real-world material cost shifts.
- Include escalation, prelims, and general conditions—mandatory for long lead projects.
- Double-check your insurance, bonding, and safety markup costs—SCA often audits these post-bid.
Optimize Your SCA Bids with True Bid Data
Estimating for SCA projects in New York City isn’t just about being accurate—it’s about being compliant, clear, and complete. TrueBidData helps contractors, and consultants produce fast takeoffs, detailed cost breakdowns, and winning SCA bids.
Visit True Bid Data to learn how we can help you streamline your next NYC school project estimate.
