There are a few ways we solicit goods and services from potential vendors:

• Request for Quotations (RFQ)
• Sealed Bids (IFB)
• Request for Proposals (RFP)
• GSA/State Procurements
• Emergency Procurements

Along with general solicitation, there are also a few ways we select vendors to solicit directly:

• Using our vendor database
• Soliciting planholders from prior contracts
• Following leads from requester recommendations
• Following leads from DEO recommendations
• Using industry publications
• Using other transit properties
• Conducting market research online

In certain cases, preferred vendors will receive direct or early notice of upcoming solicitations. For solicitations greater than $100K:

• Solicitations are advertised in the AJC Legal Notice section
• Recommended vendors receive advanced notice

• Recommended vendors receive copies of the RFQ via email, fax or regular mail

Prospective vendors can also view any current opportunities in a few places:

• Local Government Access Marketplace
• Our Current Opportunities page

Every solicitation comes with five key components that help prospective vendors work through the bidding process thoroughly and accurately.

• Instructions for bidders/proponents/quoters
• Terms and conditions of the contract
• Scope of work or technical requirements
• Forms for bidding and submitting proposals/quotes
• Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE) Goal

A completed bid requires the following:

• Bid/Proposal/Quote Form
• Certification of No Conflict of Interest
• Statement of Business Qualifications
• List of Proposed Subcontractors
• DEO Requirements and DBE Participation Certification
• Any other Required Information requested in the instructions

Processing for sealed bids takes approximately 120 days.

Evaluation always starts with the lowest bid. Responsibility is determined by MARTA’s requesting office and whether the vendor is capable of performing the contract. Responsiveness is determined by MARTA’s Legal Department, and bid submittals must:

• Meet all material terms and conditions
• Take no exceptions
• Acknowledge all addenda

The requesting office is responsible for identifying the evaluation factors and their relative importance. These factors are tailored to each procurement and may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Quality and responsiveness of proposal
• Approach
• Organization, personnel and facilities
• Cost

Processing for proposals takes approximately 180 days.

Request for Proposals are reviewed by evaluation teams and are awarded based on pre-established criteria. The RFPs are negotiable.

Depending on their roles and connections, certain individuals are prohibited from having an interest in MARTA's procurement. These individuals include:

• Members of the Board of Directors
• Officers
• MARTA employees
• Elected, appointed and employed officials or employees of the State of Georgia or of a governing body, instrumentality or political subdivision within the territory comprising the Counties of Fulton, Dekalb, Clayton and Gwinnett
• Relatives of a person described above
• Members of or delegates to the Congress of the U.S.
• People who are or who, during the past 12 months, have been members of the Board of Directors, officer, MARTA employees or employed by or on behalf of the bidder