Purchasing
Businesses large and small should be aware of opportunities to
provide goods and services to Calhoun County. That's why we've prepared
this guide to the County purchasing system. We want to ensure that all
interested suppliers are given a fair and equal opportunity to bid on
County business. Our Goal: to obtain the best value and service possible
for public funds spent, at all times maintaining the highest standards
of business ethics in our dealings with suppliers.
Supplying all departments of the County is the responsibility of
the Calhoun County Purchasing Department, located on the third floor
of the Calhoun County Building, 315 West Green Street, Marshall, MI
49068, (269) 781-0981 or Fax (269) 781-0140.
The procurement function is accomplished by competitive bidding
based on pre-determined specifications. This Department also handles
the sale of obsolete or salvageable material, and numerous other
administrative functions.
So, if you're marketing a product or service Calhoun County could
use, read on.
Step 1: Make sure you're registered as a vendor with the County
If you are interested in bidding opportunities with the County,
complete the vendor registration process by accessing the County's
website:
http://www.calhouncountymi.gov/VendorReg. For vendors
without internet access, Vendor Application forms are available from
the Purchasing Department office or by phone). After we receive your
registration information, you can look
forward to receiving requests for quotations or bids based on the
product or services you choose to list within your registration
information.
Vendor Registration information may be updated on-line at any time.
Vendors are encouraged to maintain up-to-date information with
the County.
Step 2: Bid Opportunites, Awards, & Bid Instructions
Click on the quick link on the Purchasing home page "Bid
Opportunities/Awards/Bid Instructions." A list of bids and the
status of their award are posted. Instructions on how to bid
with the County are included.
Step 3: County Purchasing Regulations
County Purchasing Regulations require sealed bids or proposals for
contracts exceeding $20,000. Smaller purchases may be by written quote
or telephone quote.
The quotation method selected is based on the nature and importance
of the contemplated purchase or service, the urgency of the
requirement, general trade practices and market conditions, and the
amount of the expenditure.
When submitting a sealed bid or proposal to Calhoun County, be
certain to follow all instructions and submit all documentation
indicated in the bid solicitation.
Step 4: Return quotes prior to closing date
Quotations must be returned to the Purchasing Department prior to
the closing date and time specified on the request for bid. They are
time-stamped on receipt and placed in a file, pending the prescribed
closing time. Quotations are opened in public normally at the time
specified for closing. Representatives of firms who have submitted
quotes are welcome to attend. Quotations received late will not be
opened.
It is solely the vendor's responsibility to see that quotations are
received at the Purchasing Department. Quotations reaching other
County offices are considered late unless timely received in the
Purchasing Department. The prevailing time is pursuant to
www.time.gov.
Environmentally Sound Purchasing
In order to increase the development and awareness of environmentally
sound products, the Calhoun County Purchasing Department staff ensures
that wherever possible and economical, specifications are amended to
provide for expanded use of products and services that contain the
maximum level of post-consumer recyclable waste and/or recyclable
content, without significantly affecting the intended use of the product
or service. It is recognized that cost analysis is required in order to
ensure that the products are made available at competitive prices.
Professional Affiliations
In order to maintain and promote professionalism in all aspects of
its mission, the Calhoun County Purchasing Department maintains
membership in the Michigan Public Purchasing Officers Association and
the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing.
The Department subscribes to and supports the professional standards
and ethical principles of these organizations.
|