Why this update matters now
The Virginia Department of Transportation has posted its most recent Department’s List of Prequalified Vendors, dated February 11, 2026 (12:00 a.m.). The 396-page roster is VDOT’s official certification notice and shows each firm’s prequalification level, expiration date, work classes, business contact, and any Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) designation. For owner-operators and fleet managers looking to line up hauling and paving work—or to subcontract to primes—the list is a go-to reference to confirm who is cleared to bid or perform on VDOT jobs today.
The entries are detailed. For example, J. C. Joyce Trucking and Paving Company, Inc. appears as “Prequalified” through June 30, 2026, with work classes including 002 (Grading), 004 (Asphalt Concrete Paving), and 005 (Drainage Structures). Other listings show the level of prequalification—Prequalified, Prequalified (Probationary), Prequalified (Conditional), or Subcontractor Only—plus a named business contact and email to streamline outreach.
VDOT also includes direct contact details for many firms, illustrating the list’s utility for quick team-ups. One example: Infrastructure Rehabilitation Service, LLC shows a business contact and email (DGADAMS@IRS-REHAB.COM), signaling the kind of up-to-date information fleets and primes can use when assembling crews or scheduling capabilities.
How VDOT prequalification works in 2026
VDOT’s highway contractors guidance (last updated January 23, 2026) lays out the rules of the road. Applications must be submitted through the online portal—not by mail or email—and the agency cautions that reviews can take up to 60 days. Firms must be fully prequalified before bidding as a prime or signing on as a subcontractor. The page also explains the four prequalification levels and notes that waivers for level restrictions (Probationary, Conditional, or Subcontractor Only) are project-specific and due by 5 p.m. the Friday before bid letting.
VDOT further clarifies that contractors should identify no more than 10 Work Classifications aligned with their equipment and workforce; prequalification in certain classes does not limit a contractor from performing other work, but it documents core capability. Importantly, the “List of Prequalified Vendors” is the agency’s official notification of status—watch it for changes in your partners’ levels ahead of letting.
DBE context for teaming and compliance
For federally assisted projects, VDOT’s DBE program—administered under U.S. DOT rules—aims to ensure equal opportunity for qualified, certified firms. To participate as a DBE on VDOT work, a company must be certified (via Virginia’s Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity) and also meet VDOT prequalification requirements. For primes planning DBE participation, the program’s objectives and eligibility framework are a useful checkpoint during bid formation and subcontracting.
Actionable steps for fleets and small contractors
- Confirm your partners’ status this week: Verify prequalification level and expiration date for each prospective subcontractor or trucking vendor before you finalize a bid calendar.
- Build lead time into onboarding: If you or a partner must apply or renew, plan for up to 60 days of VDOT review—and use the current forms.
- Align your Work Classifications: Ensure your declared classes match the work you actually self-perform with your fleet and crews.
- Leverage DBE opportunities: Identify certified DBEs that are also VDOT-prequalified to meet goals and strengthen bids.
- Watch item codes and prices: VDOT’s item code tables and bid-average updates (as of February 2, 2026) can sharpen estimating and dispatch planning for asphalt, aggregates, milling, guardrail, and traffic control.
Bottom line
VDOT’s February 11, 2026 prequalified vendor list is more than a directory—it’s the compliance backbone for who can bid and build on Virginia highways. For trucking leaders and paving primes, using it to validate teaming, track expirations, and align scopes with declared work classes can reduce bid risk and keep projects moving. Pair that diligence with the current prequalification rules and DBE framework, and your fleet will be positioned to compete cleanly and confidently in the 2026 season.
Sources Consulted: Virginia Department of Transportation; Virginia Transportation Construction Alliance; U.S. Department of Transportation.
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