Michigan Public Works Payment Bond (Little Miller Act)
What it is & who requires it
The principal contractor on a Michigan public works contract exceeding $50,000; protects subcontractors and suppliers who furnish labor or materials.
Obligee: The governmental unit awarding the contract (Michigan). Citation: MCL 129.203 (payment bond); MCL 129.201 (threshold); Act 213 of 1963.
Bond amount
Required on the same public-works contracts exceeding $50,000 (MCL 129.201). The payment bond is fixed by the governmental unit but not less than 25% of the contract amount, solely for the protection of claimants supplying labor or materials.
How to get it
This bond is individually underwritten, so it is not issued instantly. Request a quote and a licensed producer follows up to walk you through it.
Request a bond quote
Tell us about the bond and the project. A licensed producer follows up — these bonds are individually underwritten, so they are not issued instantly.
Term & renewal
Term: Binds on award; runs with performance (project bond)
Renewal: N/A (project-specific)
Filing
Filed with the Michigan governmental unit awarding the public-works contract, alongside the performance bond, and it runs with the project rather than renewing. It protects subcontractors and suppliers who furnish labor or materials. Required under MCL 129.203 (Act 213 of 1963); claimants are defined in MCL 129.206, and a second-tier claimant must serve written notice within 30 days of first furnishing and may sue only after 90 days from last furnishing (MCL 129.207).
Source
Verified against the obligee source (last checked 2026-06-06).
Related Michigan bonds
Frequently asked questions
- Who requires the Michigan Public Works Payment Bond (Little Miller Act)?
- It’s required by The governmental unit awarding the contract (Michigan) (MCL 129.203 (payment bond); MCL 129.201 (threshold); Act 213 of 1963). The principal contractor on a Michigan public works contract exceeding $50,000; protects subcontractors and suppliers who furnish labor or materials.
- How much is the Michigan Public Works Payment Bond (Little Miller Act)?
- Required on the same public-works contracts exceeding $50,000 (MCL 129.201). The payment bond is fixed by the governmental unit but not less than 25% of the contract amount, solely for the protection of claimants supplying labor or materials.
- How do I get the Michigan Public Works Payment Bond (Little Miller Act)?
- This bond is individually underwritten, so it is not issued instantly. Request a quote and a licensed producer follows up to walk you through it.
- What is the term?
- Binds on award; runs with performance (project bond) Renewal: N/A (project-specific)
- Is this bond insurance for me?
- No. It protects the obligee and the public — not you. If a valid claim is paid, you repay the surety.
- How is this requirement verified?
- We verify it against the obligee’s primary source (last checked 2026-06-06); the source link is on this page.
