Force Account Threshold Updates July 1

Force Account Threshold Updates July 1 on ODOT Website

Force account work refers to a road project completed using a township’s own forces (ex. employees, equipment, and materials) rather than bidding out for an outside contractor.

When a township has the capacity to complete this work internally, it can provide efficiency and cost savings.

Force account authroity is limited by statutory thresholds updated each fiscal year. These thresholds are published by the Ohio Department of Transportation and updated each year on July 1.

Township officials should reference ODOT’s website.

If the estimated cost of a project exceeds the staturtoy thresholds, the township may not proceed using force account and must instead utilize a bidding contract.

Note: The competitive bidding threshold for calendar year 2026 is $79,568.