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Contract bonds · Georgia

Georgia bid bonds, ready before your bid date.

A bid bond goes in the envelope with your bid. It tells the owner that if you win, you will sign the contract and provide the performance and payment bonds. Get set up once and every bid after that moves fast.

  • Set up once, bid all seasonAfter your first approval, the next bid bond is usually a quick request.
  • One file from bid to awardWhen you win, the same file becomes your performance and payment bonds.
  • Quoting never hurts your creditAsking about a bond does not pull your credit.
Start my bid bond Georgia requirements

Georgia requirements last reviewed November 2026

Bond amount
Usually 5% of the bidGeorgia public bids require at least 5%
Required on
State bids over $100KLocal $250K and up · federal per FAR
Cost
Small or nonePricing depends on the surety and your program
Turnaround
1 to 2 business daysFaster once your file is set up

What it is

A promise that you will take the job you bid.

A bid bond protects the project owner during bidding. It guarantees that if you are the low bidder and the owner awards you the contract, you will sign it and furnish the required performance and payment bonds.

If you win and then walk away, the owner can claim against the bid bond, usually for the difference between your bid and the next bidder, up to the bond amount. You would repay the surety for any valid claim.

Because the surety is really vouching that it would write your performance bond, a bid bond is the first step in your bonding relationship. That is why we treat the bid bond and the final bonds as one file.

Georgia requirements

When Georgia requires a bid bond.

The owner of the project decides which rules apply. Your bid documents always state the exact bid security required.

Project ownerRequirementSource
State of Georgia agenciesBids over $100,000Bid security is required on state public works bids over $100,000. Bids generally cannot be withdrawn for 60 days after the bid opening.O.C.G.A. § 13-10-20
Cities, counties, boards of education and local authoritiesAt least 5% of the bidRequired on local public works bids the bidding law covers. Since July 1, 2025 that law applies to projects of $250,000 and up.O.C.G.A. §§ 36-91-50, 36-91-22 (HB 137, 2025)
Federal projectsAt least 20% of the bid, up to $3 millionSet in the solicitation when a bid guarantee is required.FAR 28.101-2
Private ownersWhen the bid package asksDevelopers and general contractors sometimes require bid security from subs.Bid documents

Win the job and the bid bond is replaced by your performance and payment bonds, each usually 100% of the contract on Georgia public work.

Cost

What a bid bond costs.

Many sureties charge little or nothing for a bid bond, because the real premium is on the performance and payment bonds if you win. What you pay depends on the surety and your bonding program.

  • Your first bidExpect a short application and credit review so the surety can approve your program.
  • Repeat bidsOnce you are set up, later bid bonds are usually quick requests.
  • Bigger jobsLarge bids may need financial statements before the surety signs off.
  • If you winYou pay the performance and payment bond premium at contract signing.

How to get it

From bid package to bid bond.

  1. 01

    Send the bid package

    Share the project name, owner, bid date and the bid security section of the documents.

    About 5 minutes
  2. 02

    Apply and e-sign

    One short application, reviewed by the surety's underwriters.

    About 10 minutes
  3. 03

    Get your bid bond

    We issue it on the owner's form or the standard AIA form, ready to submit.

    Usually 1 to 2 business days

Questions

Bid bond questions, answered straight.

How much is a bid bond in Georgia?

Georgia public bids generally require bid security of at least 5% of the bid amount. Federal jobs require at least 20% of the bid, up to $3 million. Your bid documents state the exact amount.

How much does a bid bond cost?

Many sureties charge little or nothing for a bid bond, because the premium is on the performance and payment bonds if you win. It depends on the surety and your program.

What happens to my bid bond if I win?

It is replaced by the performance and payment bonds when you sign the contract.

What if I win and decide not to take the job?

The owner can claim against the bid bond, usually for the difference between your bid and the next one, up to the bond amount. You would repay the surety.

How early should I start?

At least a week before your first bid date, so underwriting can approve your program. After that, bid bonds move quickly.

Related Georgia bonds

Other bonds people ask about.

Performance & payment bondGuarantees the job gets finished and everyone gets paid. Maintenance bondCovers defects for a set period after the job is done. Public adjuster bond$5,000, required for a Georgia public adjuster license. Appeal / supersedeas bondPauses collection of a judgment while you appeal.

Sources: O.C.G.A. §§ 13-10-20, 36-91-22, 36-91-50; Georgia House Bill 137 (2025); FAR 28.101-2. This page is general information about bond requirements, not legal advice.

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