Vendor Guide

• CapMetro uses PlanetBids™, an online service for the distribution of solicitation documents. Vendors should register on the bid portal to receive notification of CapMetro solicitations at no cost. By registering, you'll automatically be notified by email whenever a CapMetro solicitation matches your business profile. Start your subscription on the CapMetro PlanetBids™ portal.
• Registered vendors can download CapMetro solicitations free of charge, and will be notified of any changes and updates to solicitations that they have downloaded.
• For information regarding CapMetro solicitations, contact the CapMetro Procurement Department at 512-389-7460 or via email to procure-help@capmetro.org.

CapMetro makes its purchases based on several determining factors, including price. Items expected to cost less than $50,000 are purchased through CapMetro's "small purchases" method of procurement. Anything in excess of $50,000 requires full and open competition.

Small purchases

There are two types of purchases that fit into this category: those less than $10,000 and those between $10,000 and $50,000.

Single source

Purchases less than $10,000 are single-source. This means that if the price offered is determined to be fair and reasonable and the vendor is able to meet delivery and other requirements, no other vendors are contacted.

Requests for quotes (RFQ)

RFQs are used for purchases between $10,000 and $50,000. A brief description of the item or service is provided to vendors, who are notified using a online supplier database, PlanetBidsTM. Interested vendors then submit a written quote to CapMetro by an established deadline. CapMetro may notify additional vendors recommended by a requesting department, the internet, phone books, industry guides, etc.

Large purchases

Purchases exceeding $50,000 require more sophisticated methods than those used for small purchases.

Invitations for bids (IFB)

For IFBs, CapMetro awards contracts to the most responsive and responsible bidder offering the lowest price. A bid is responsive if it meets all the material requirements of a solicitation; in other words, the bid submitted doesn't vary from CapMetro's original requirement. A bidder is responsible if (s)he can demonstrate the capacity and the willingness to perform (i.e., has the proper equipment, manpower, financial resources, technical expertise, etc.). It would be incorrect to assume that the low bidder always gets the award when the IFB method of procurement is used. An award is made to the low bidder only if the bidder meets both tests of responsiveness and responsibility.

Requests for proposals (RFP)

For RFPs, the award is not based on price alone, but also other weighted factors of importance specified in the solicitation. Award selection is done by an evaluation team that independently evaluates the proposals submitted.

On occasion, CapMetro may use procurement methods different from the ones listed above. These include sole source, statement of qualifications (SOQ) for statutory professional services for disciplines that require state of Texas licensing and emergency procurements.

We welcome the opportunity to work with new businesses and organizations! Here are a few ways you can introduce yourself to CapMetro:

Mail us your promotional items

We appreciate receiving information such as brochures, samples and other materials for review. Your items should include enough information so we can quickly identify the goods or services you're offering, and also a business card so we know how to contact you. Once received, your materials will be circulated to the appropriate CapMetro department.

Our mailing address is:

CapMetro, Procurement Department, 2910 E. Fifth Street, Austin, TX 78702.

Give us a call or send us a fax

You can call our Procurement Department directly at 512-389-7460, or fax your information to 512-389-7594. Please remember to include a cover sheet with your contact information if faxing.

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Email us

Feel free to email your information or questions to Procure-Help@capmetro.org.

Here are the people to contact with your questions about procurement opportunities at CapMetro: