Parking Lot
How to Write a Parking Lot RFP & Evaluate Paving Bids
Cojo
June 15, 2026
7 min read
A parking lot RFP is the document that makes competing paving bids comparable. Without a clear scope, three contractors will quote three different jobs, and the lowest number usually means the smallest scope, not the best value. A strong RFP defines the work, demands unit pricing, requires references and proof of license and insurance, and sets the standards the work must meet. This guide shows you how to write that RFP and how to evaluate the bids that come back — including the red flags that separate a real number from a lowball.
The most common reason bids are not comparable is that the scope was vague. "Repave the lot" can mean a thin overlay or a full-depth rebuild, and those are wildly different jobs. Before you write the RFP, get a condition assessment so you know what the lot actually needs. Then write the scope around that reality.
A good scope states:
When every bidder prices the same defined scope, the bids become comparable. This is the foundation of any honest paving bid evaluation.
Lump-sum bids hide things. Unit pricing — a price per square foot for overlay, per ton for asphalt, per linear foot for crack sealing, per square foot for full-depth repair — lets you see what each component costs and lets you adjust if field conditions change. It is common to find more failed area once milling starts, and unit pricing tells you exactly what the extra work will cost instead of triggering a renegotiation.
Require a line-item breakdown in the RFP. A contractor who will not break out their pricing is a contractor you cannot compare or hold accountable.
| Requirement | Why |
|---|---|
| Proof of CCB license and insurance | Confirms they are legal and covered in Oregon |
| Unit pricing breakdown | Makes bids comparable and field changes priced |
| References from similar jobs | Shows they have done this scope before |
| Written warranty terms | Defines what is covered and for how long |
| Schedule and phasing plan | Confirms they can work in the dry season and around your operations |
| Site cleanup and traffic control | Avoids surprises and tenant complaints |
When the bids come back, do not sort by price first. Sort by completeness:
Industry Baseline Range: for budgeting an RFP, a mill-and-overlay commonly plans in the range of $2.00 to $4.00 per square foot and full-depth repair of failed areas runs higher per square foot+. These are industry baseline ranges for planning only — actual pricing depends on lot size, access, condition, and current market conditions. Get a site-specific quote.
Asphalt prices move with the petroleum index, and Oregon's short paving season means the best crews are booked early. A bid that comes in dramatically under the others in this market is a signal to look harder, not to celebrate. The honest contractor's number reflects real material costs and a real scope. Coordinating the awarded work with your other trades is its own task; see our vendor coordination guide.
A parking lot RFP is your leverage. Define the scope from a real assessment, demand unit pricing, require license, insurance, references, and warranty, then evaluate on completeness before price. That process turns three confusing numbers into a clear decision and weeds out the lowball that becomes the most expensive choice. Cojo provides detailed, line-item asphalt maintenance services bids built on a real scope. Request a detailed bid and compare it line by line.
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