Software Comparison

BidClerk Projects Under $10M: Finding Small-to-Mid Size Construction Opportunities

Discover how to find construction projects under $10M. Compare BidClerk alternatives and learn strategies for winning small-to-mid size contracts.

Jessica Chen
November 28, 2025
9 min read

Small-to-mid size construction projects—those under $10 million—represent the sweet spot for most contractors. These projects offer manageable scope, reasonable bonding requirements, and less competition from mega-contractors who focus on larger opportunities.

Projects Under $10M Market Stats

78%

Of All Contracts

45%

Total Dollar Value

18-25%

Average Win Rate

8-12

Months to Complete

Why Projects Under $10M Matter

Manageable Bonding

Most bonding companies readily approve contractors for projects under $10M. Above this threshold, capacity constraints and documentation requirements increase significantly.

Reasonable Competition

Large contractors typically ignore projects under $10M as unprofitable relative to overhead. This reduces competition to regional and local contractors.

Sustainable Cash Flow

Smaller projects complete faster. A $5M project in 8-12 months provides faster payment than a $50M project spanning 3+ years.

Risk Management

Smaller projects limit exposure. A problem on a $3M project doesn't threaten company survival like issues on a $30M project might.

BidClerk for Projects Under $10M

What BidClerk Offers

BidClerk specializes in government construction project listings, aggregating opportunities from federal, state, and local agencies.

Project Coverage:

  • • Federal contracts (SAM.gov integration)
  • • State procurement portals
  • • Municipal and county agencies
  • • School districts
  • • Water and utility districts

Pricing:

  • • Regional coverage: $149/month
  • • National coverage: $299/month
  • • Team plans available
BidClerk Strengths
  • • Excellent government focus
  • • Strong set-aside tracking (8(a), HUBZone, etc.)
  • • Simple, straightforward interface
  • • Good for prevailing wage markets
BidClerk Limitations
  • • Government only—no private sector
  • • Limited early-stage intelligence
  • • Basic filtering (no AI matching)
  • • Private sector = 50-60% of under $10M work

BidClerk Alternatives

ConstructionBids.ai

Best For: Contractors wanting comprehensive public AND private coverage

Under $10M Features:

  • • Project value range filtering ($0-$10M, custom)
  • • Both government AND private sector
  • • AI filtering identifies relevant scope
  • • CSI division filtering for trades

Pricing:

  • • Scout: $49/month
  • • Pro: $149/month
  • • 7-day free trial
Dodge Construction Network

Best For: Larger contractors justifying premium pricing

Features:

  • • Early-stage planning intelligence
  • • Owner and architect contacts
  • • Historical project data

Pricing:

  • • Starts at $500+/month
  • • Enterprise: $5,000-15,000/year

Platform Comparison: Under $10M Projects

FeatureBidClerkConstructionBids.aiDodge
Monthly Cost$149-299$49-149$500+
Government ProjectsExcellentExcellentExcellent
Private ProjectsNoneGoodExcellent
Under $10M FilterYesYesYes
AI MatchingNoYesLimited
Set-Aside TrackingExcellentGoodGood

Strategies for Winning Under $10M Projects

Focus on Local Relationships
  • • Attend pre-bid meetings even for projects you won't bid
  • • Introduce yourself to procurement officers
  • • Understand each agency's priorities and pain points
  • • Track project managers by name, not just agency
Pre-Qualify Strategically
  • • Register with cities/counties in your service area
  • • Maintain current insurance and license documentation
  • • Complete annual renewals before deadlines
  • • Request inclusion on GC bid lists proactively

Target Set-Aside Programs

Federal Programs
  • • 8(a) Business Development
  • • HUBZone (economically distressed areas)
  • • SDVOSB (service-disabled veteran-owned)
  • • WOSB/EDWOSB (women-owned)
  • • Small Business Set-Asides
State/Local Programs
  • • DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise)
  • • MBE/WBE (Minority/Women Business)
  • • Local preference programs
  • • Emerging business programs

Find More Right-Sized Opportunities

ConstructionBids.ai delivers daily construction opportunities from 500+ sources, filtered for your preferred project size range. Set value filters from $500K to $10M, define your trade and location, then focus on winning work—not searching for it.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What size project is best for small contractors?

Most small contractors (5-25 employees) find optimal fit with projects between $500,000 and $5 million. This range offers manageable scope, reasonable bonding requirements, and sustainable cash flow.

What percentage of construction projects are under $10M?

Projects under $10 million represent approximately 78% of all construction contracts by count and 45% by total dollar value, according to FMI Corporation's 2024 industry analysis.

Are small projects easier to win?

Yes, generally. Win rates on projects under $10M average 18-25% compared to 8-12% on larger projects. Reduced competition from mega-contractors and relationship-driven selection improve rates.

Should I use BidClerk or ConstructionBids.ai?

BidClerk excels for government-only contractors with its focused interface. ConstructionBids.ai offers better value for contractors pursuing both public and private opportunities at lower cost ($49-149/month vs. $149-299/month).

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