Strengthening Public Works Series Part 4 | Public Works Administration: Change Orders, Risk & Closeout

Date: October 27, 2026
Time: 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Location: Virtual
Register Here

The board awarded the contract—now the real risk begins. Post-award administration is where districts face certified payroll audits, stop payment notices, contractor performance failures, and exponential cost increases driven by unmanaged change orders.

This final session focuses on the critical question: At what point does a change order become un-procured new work? Learn how to manage DIR compliance, audit progress payments, enforce statutory retention rules, handle default risks, and execute a tight project closeout that protects district funds and facility warranties.

In this session, we’ll cover:

  • Pre-construction launch essentials, including verification of bonds, DIR numbers, insurance endorsements, and Notices to Proceed.
  • Ongoing compliance checks for prevailing wages, certified payroll, DIR project registrations, and apprenticeship rules.
  • How to process progress payments, apply statutory retention, handle stop payment notices, and manage contractor performance issues or defaults.
  • Evaluating change orders, avoiding scope expansion, enforcing board approval thresholds, and executing end-to-end project closeout through Notice of Completion and retention release.

About the Strengthening Public Works Series

Protect your district from costly legal traps, bid protests, and uncertified facilities. Strengthening Public Works is a targeted four-part training series designed specifically for California procurement and facilities professionals. From navigating complex statutory classifications and mandatory DSA oversight to executing bulletproof solicitations and managing post-award change orders, this series provides the practical frameworks you need to keep capital projects fully compliant, on schedule, and under budget.

What You Will Master Across 4 Expert Sessions:

  • Part 1 | Public Works Fundamentals: Classification & Statutory Rules (September 15 | 2:00-3:30PM) | Master classification rules, gray-area procurements, Labor/Public Contract Codes, and CUPCCAA thresholds to select the right bidding pathway every time.
  • Part 2 | Public Works Construction: DSA Oversight & Compliance (September 29 | 2:00-3:30PM) | Learn directly from DSA representatives how to navigate DSA oversight, manage post-approval project changes, and secure final certification without costly delays or compliance traps.
  • Part 3 | Public Works Solicitations: Scope, Bidding & Award (October 13 | 2:00-3:30PM) | Draft ironclad bid packages, execute defensible job walks, handle bid irregularities, and navigate bid protests with complete confidence.
  • Part 4 | Public Works Administration: Change Orders, Risk & Closeout (October 27 | 2:00-3:30PM) | Enforce DIR prevailing wage compliance, manage high-risk change orders without expanding scope, and execute seamless project closeouts that safeguard district funds.