Responsible Bidder Ordinances (RBOs) ensure that public construction contracts are awarded to contractors who meet established standards for workforce quality, safety, and community investment — not simply the lowest bidder regardless of qualifications.

The NWI Building & Construction Trades Council supports RBOs at the local, county, and state level because they protect taxpayers and the skilled workforce alike. When public dollars fund construction, the public deserves contractors who pay fair wages, carry proper insurance, invest in apprenticeship training, and maintain strong safety records. Without RBO protections, low-road contractors who undercut bids by misclassifying workers, skimping on training, or ignoring safety standards can undermine the entire bidding process. Responsible bidder standards level the playing field for contractors who do things right and ensure that publicly funded projects deliver real quality and real value to the communities that pay for them. Our members build Northwest Indiana — they deserve to compete on merit, not just price.