DCMS Tip Sheet Volume 5 Edition 5

Awarding Authorities may use old and outdated terminology

Submitting bids for a public project is a common source of questions for the Certification Unit. Awarding Authorities may use old and outdated terminology in their bid instructions, causing confusion for contractors trying to assemble documents their bids. 

For example, some bid instructions ask contractors to include Form CQ3 and Form CQ7. These form references are outdated and no longer in use. This Tip Sheet clarifies their modern equivalents.

What is Form CQ3 referring to?

• The Update Statement
• The Update Statement is required to be submitted with all bids. This form captures any updates or changes to the information submitted to DCAMM at the time of the contractor’s last certification application. The form provides current information on a contractor's status, projects, and capabilities. Below are links to the current Update Statement forms and a user guide to assist with completion:
  • Prime Update Statement
  • Sub-Bidder Update Statement
    • Update Statement User Guide
• An Update Statement should be submitted if a CQ3 is requested by an Awarding Authority.

What is Form CQ7 referring to?

• The Certificate of Eligibility
• The Certificate of Eligibility is issued by DCAMM and indicates that a contractor meets certain requirements to bid on vertical public construction projects. The Certificate spells out bidding limits as well as the Categories of Work for which a contractor is eligible to bid. This Certificate is required to be submitted with all bids.
• The Certificate of Eligibility should be submitted anytime a CQ7 is requested by an Awarding Authority.