Michigan Public Works Performance Bond (Little Miller Act)
What it is & who requires it
The principal contractor on a Michigan public building or public work contract exceeding $50,000, awarded by the state or any county, city, village, township, school district, public authority, or other political subdivision.
Obligee: The governmental unit awarding the contract (Michigan). Citation: MCL 129.201 (threshold); MCL 129.202 (performance bond); Act 213 of 1963.
Bond amount
Required before any public-building/public-work contract exceeding $50,000. The performance bond is fixed by the governmental unit but not less than 25% of the contract amount. (DTMB procurement commonly requires 100%, but 25% is the statutory floor.)
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 contract performance (project bond)
Renewal: N/A (project-specific)
Filing
Filed with the Michigan governmental unit awarding the public-works contract before the contract is executed, and it runs with the project rather than renewing. The contractor furnishes it at its own cost, and the awarding unit may not require a particular surety, agent, or broker; common carriers running state-subsidized railroads may substitute an irrevocable letter of credit. Required under MCL 129.201-129.202 (Act 213 of 1963); a second-tier claimant must give written notice within 30 days of first furnishing labor or materials and may sue only after 90 days from last furnishing (MCL 129.207).
Source
Verified against the obligee source (last checked 2026-06-06).
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Frequently asked questions
- Who requires the Michigan Public Works Performance Bond (Little Miller Act)?
- It’s required by The governmental unit awarding the contract (Michigan) (MCL 129.201 (threshold); MCL 129.202 (performance bond); Act 213 of 1963). The principal contractor on a Michigan public building or public work contract exceeding $50,000, awarded by the state or any county, city, village, township, school district, public authority, or other political subdivision.
- How much is the Michigan Public Works Performance Bond (Little Miller Act)?
- Required before any public-building/public-work contract exceeding $50,000. The performance bond is fixed by the governmental unit but not less than 25% of the contract amount. (DTMB procurement commonly requires 100%, but 25% is the statutory floor.)
- How do I get the Michigan Public Works Performance 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 contract 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.
