FAQ

1. What does Metro buy? Whom does it buy from?
2. Is selling to Metro complicated?
3. Will I be paid promptly for my work?
4. How do I become a vendor to Metro?
5. How will I hear about upcoming opportunities?
6. How does the procurement process work?
7. When is Pre-Qualification required?
8. Who is my contact at Metro?
9. What is TransportMAX?
10. How can I find out if my company is already registered with TransportMax?
11. If I register with TransportMax for Metro, must I register a second time if another company asks me to register?
12. What is Construction Bidboard?

1. What does Metro buy? Whom does it buy from?

Some of Metro's procurements are for complex, specialized transportation equipment, but like any large company we also need office supplies, consulting services, paint, uniforms—practically anything you can think of. We buy from small vendors and multinational corporations.

2. Is selling to Metro complicated?

No more than doing business with any large corporation. Each contract is detailed and contains specifications and requirements that vendors must meet.

3. Will I be paid promptly for my work?

Yes. Metro adheres to a strict internal policy requiring that, generally, vendors be paid within 30 days for services or goods. We know how vital it is to be able to predict cash flow, and we want to make doing business with us as productive as possible.

4. How do I become a vendor to Metro?

Metro’s Purchasing and Contracts departments maintain a database of vendors interested in doing business with the Authority. You can be added to Metro’s vendor database by using the Online Step Process.

Online Step Process:

1. Get your North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code(s) from http://www.naics.com/search.htm;
2. Have these NAICS Codes ready to be placed in the NAIC Code section of the Supplier Registration Form; and
3. Click on Supplier Registration to start the online process.

Note:You will receive an email confirmation of your registration status within 3 days after you have submitted your online form

For questions surrounding how to get started as a vendor here at Metro please contact Client Vendor Services 213.922.1037.

5. How will I hear about upcoming opportunities?

All vendors in the database receive a postcard notification of contracting opportunities applicable to the type of services they provide as a business.

6. How does the procurement process work?

Depending on the type of project, Metro develops an Invitation for Bid (IFB), Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Interest and Qualifications (RFIQ), or Request for Quotations (RFQ).

• IFBs are used when there is a clear understanding of the project requirements, scope of work and technical specifications.

• RFPs are used in cases where the specific requirements and technical specifications of a project are of a functional nature or unclear, and provide a guideline for potential offerers to use in preparing a bid/proposal.

• RFIQs are used for engineering, architectural and related services contracts, and consider only technical factors and qualifications in the evaluation process.

• RFQs are used for procuring materials, equipment and supplies, and some types of professional services (i.e., word processing, graphics).

Contract Administrators develop the procurement document and oversee the distribution and advertising of the solicitation. They also receive all proposals, coordinate evaluation meetings, and see the process through the award phase and contract administration.

7. When is Pre-Qualification required?

Pre-Qualification is required for all firms not exempted from the process if their bid or proposal will exceed $100,000. This includes first-tier subcontractors. For details on specific exemptions, refer to Ordinance #4-05 of Metro's Administrative Code.Additional information and links to the pre-qualification applications and the Administrative Code can be found at the pre-qualification web page at www.metro.net/EBB/PQA/vprequal.htm

8. Who is my contact at Metro?

Firms or individuals with questions about doing business with Metro can e-mail Client/Vendor Services or call 213.922.1037.

9. What is TransportMAX?

TransportMAX is an online Marketplace built by the public transportation industry for the public transportation industry, in exclusive partnership with the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).TransportMAX provides e-procurement services for RFQs, vendor sourcing and purchase requisition aggregation.For more information about TransportMAX and its services, go to www.transportmax.com.

10. How can I find out if my company is already registered with TransportMax?

If your company is already register with TransportMax, the letter, fax or e-mail you received from TransportMax should indicate that.If the letter you received from TransportMax does not indicate that your company is already registered with them and you believe otherwise, please submit your question/concern to TransportMax.

11. If I register with TransportMax for Metro, must I register a second time if another company asks me to register?

No.You would not need to register a second time.Please feel free to contact TransportMax at the phone number(s) included in the letter you received to discuss this or submit question/comments directly to TransportMax.

12. What is Construction Bidboard?

Construction Bidboard is a construction services company dedicated to improving the entire project solicitation, proposal and bid process. The company develops and markets web-enabled interactive data services that deliver innovative capabilities to the construction industry.For more information about Construction Bidboard and its services, go to www.ebidboard.com.

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