Contract Administration

The Department of Public Works contracts for all City infrastructure projects. Addiitonaly, it contracts for several major public service functions including solid waste recycling, public parking structure operation, vehicle towing, and parking meter revenue collection.

Through its contracts, DPW leverages employment opportunities for city residents who fit specific unemployment or underemployment criteria. This initiative is known as the Residents Preference Program. The Department requires that at least 40% of all hours worked on individual City contracts be allocated to unemployed residents of the target area. The Department partners with Big Step to assist contractors in locating eligible resident workers.

DPW also assists small and emerging businesses through its Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program. This program requires that SBEs, typically firms owned by one or more individuals who are at an educational, social, economic or other disadvantage, be utilized for 25 percent of all dollars spent on construction projects in the City.

The Residents Preference Program, Small Business Enterprise Program and Local Business Enterprise Program all ensure that local residents and businesses alike benefit from economic development in the City.

The provisions listed above reflect recent changes to DPW's contracting program. For more specific information, view the provisions as included in the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances.

For a complete list of all bid & contract information visit Official Bid Notices.