The City of Hartford issues several hundred requests for response
(RFR) in the form of proposals or
bids on an annual basis. We are very appreciative of the time
and effort the supplier community puts into preparing responses to these
RFRs.
To reduce administrative costs for both supplier and the City we are in the process of standardizing and
simplifying RFR documents and, additionally, have implemented an
e-Procurement service. We are always looking for ways to improve our ability to exchange
information on these business opportunities to a broad base of suppliers as efficiently as possible. If you have any suggestions for improvement please email them to Mark
Turcotte, Procurement Manager at mcturcotte@hartford.gov.
Registering to do business with the City:
BID/RFP DOCUMENTS are available over the Internet at http://www.mercurycommerce.com. The City will fax or email invitations to suppliers who register on the
Mercury Commerce site.
You need to register on
www.mercurycomerce.com to view, download and respond to a request for response (RFR).
Registration, downloading, responding and viewing responses after the submittal
deadline is free. HARD COPY RESPONSES ARE
NOT ACCEPTED BY THE CITY. ALL RESPONSES MUST BE SUBMITTED THROUGH
THE MERCURY COMMERCE WEBSITE.
If you have any difficulty you may contact Supplier Support directly at:
1-877-969-7246
Businesses without internet access, may utilize computers located at most public
libraries. Procurement Services also provides access to the Mercury
Commerce site at a computer located in its office.
When registering it is very important to select the appropriate commodity
codes that describe what your business does!
top of page
Procurement thresholds:
Up to $2500.00
Open competition not required. Departments may purchase items using a Procurement Card or a purchase order. Procurement Cards and purchase orders at this level are used for small one-time purchases using contracted suppliers when available.
$2,500 to $25,000
Open competition is required through a request for quotes or reverse auction. Generally awards are issue to the lowest responsible supplier that meets requirements.
$25,000 and over
Open competition is required through a formal bid process. Generally
awards are issue to the lowest responsible supplier that meets requirements.
Please be sure to receive a valid purchase order or Procurement Card before delivering
services or performing work for the City.
top of page
Procurement Card:
One of the new tools the City is using is a special form of credit card called a "Procurement
Card." These cards will enable City and Public School staff to purchase the small dollar items they need on
a timelier basis. Use of the card will also benefit our suppliers with faster payment for the goods and services as
well as the elimination of low dollar invoices and the associated processing costs.
top of page
Small and Minority Business Enterprises:
The City of Hartford Minority & Small
Contractors’ Set-Aside Program shall be in accordance with, Connecticut General Statutes, 4a-60(g) which
was established for the purpose of assuring that Connecticut small and small minority owned businesses have
an opportunity to bid on a portion of the city’s purchases.
Under this program, 25% of city-funded purchases are set aside for small businesses. In addition, 25%
of that amount is reserved for small businesses, which are minority-owned and operated.
To participate contact
Human Relations at
860.543.8595
top of page
Obtaining
Bid Bonds
If
you manage a small
business and have difficulty obtaining bonds
(or just haven’t done it before) help is available from the Small
Business Administration (SBA) through “The Surety Bond Guarantee
Program.”
One of the bonding companies working with this program is Suggs
& Associates in Windsor, CT.
For more information go to www.sba.gov,
choose “Services.”
Then select “Financial Assistance” and click on “Surety
Bond.”
top of page
Ethics
