Who do I call if I have a question and can't find an answer?

• For questions related to architectural & engineering services, or construction, please contact the A&E Division Contract Administrator, Kathleen Bender.
• For questions related to professional services, or maintenance services, please contact the Contracts Division Contract Administrator, Kathleen Bender.
• For questions related to the purchase of commodities, please contact the Purchasing Division Contract Administrator, Laura Jestings.

Can I contact departments directly to sell my products/services?

• No. Contact for solicitation of products/services should be directed to the Department of Procurement.

Does the City of Tucson give preference points to local firms?

• Preference points are given to local architectural and engineering firms under the A&E contracting process only.

What is the preference for minority or women-owned businesses?

• Certified MWBE firms are given up to a 2 1/2% competitive bid preference on all contracts in excess of $10,000 and under $250,000, if proper certification documents are provided.

Can I fax my bid to you?

• No. The City of Tucson Department of Procurement will only accept sealed bids/proposals to maintain confidentiality until they are publicly recorded during bid opening.

Am I supposed to include tax in the price on a Request for Quotation?

• Tax is included in RFQs as a separate line item.

Do you have some type of list that I can get on to do business with the City of Tucson?

• If you would like to register to do business with the City of Tucson, we have an on-line vendor registration system.  Click on Vendor Registration on the left side of this screen..

If I'm not on your vendor list, am I still able to submit bids to the City of Tucson?

• If you are not on our vendor list, you are still allowed to submit bids; however, should you be awarded a contract, we cannot issue a purchase order to you until you are a registered vendor.

Which person in your office handles ... (commodity/service)?

• Please visit our Staff Assignments Web page for information on which Contract Officer to contact for a specific commodity/service.

How can I find out which services or commodities are currently available for bidding?

• Visit our  Bid Opportunities Web page.
• Visit our office on the 6th floor of City Hall, 255 W. Alameda.

Where do I send my bid?

• Bids/proposals shall be received by the Department of Procurement at 255 W. Alameda, 6th Floor, Tucson, Arizona, or mailed to P.O. Box 27210, Tucson, Arizona 85726-7210. Bids/proposals must be received by the date and time cited on the IFB/RFP notice page.

How can I get a copy of the tabulation of bids on a particular bid?

• Visit our Recent Awards Web page.

Who, in the City, do I contact to get payment for my invoice?

• All invoices should be mailed to the City of Tucson Accounting Division, P.O. Box 27450, Tucson, Arizona 85726-7450. Questions regarding payment of invoices should be directed to 520-791-4031.

Are departments allowed to make their own purchases?

• The majority of all purchases are either made or approved by the Purchasing, Contracts, and A/E Divisions through the use of purchase orders. In the event that a good or service is requested by a City representative without an approved purchase order, please contact the Purchasing, Contracts, and A/E Division immediately. Purchase order numbers can be verified by contacting any member of the Purchasing, Contracts, and A/E Division.

How can I set up an office visit?

• Suppliers are encouraged to visit the Contract Officer responsible for the specific goods and services they provide. Appointments are preferred to ensure that full consideration will be provided. Please visit our Staff Assignments Web page for information on which Contract Officer to contact.

What is a Pre-Bid/Pre-Proposal conference?

• The pre-bid/pre-proposal conference is a meeting held to discuss the specific Invitation for Bid (IFB) or Request for Proposal (RFP) document. This meeting gives you the opportunity to ask questions and to request clarifications in the documents. Pre-bid/pre-proposal conferences are held for most formal IFBs or RFPs solicited by the City. The pre-bid/pre-proposal conference is usually not mandatory, but suppliers are strongly urged to attend.

What criteria is used to award bids and proposals?

• Bids for goods and non-professional services are awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder(s) meeting specifications. RFP award recommendations are based on other criteria in addition to price. The procurement document will specify the method of award.

What about bond and insurance requirements?

• Bonds and insurance may be required for various procurements. The City attempts to only require bonds and insurance in order to meet statutory mandates or when complex purchases warrant them to protect the City's interests.
• Bond and insurance requirements are specified in the procurement document.

How can I thank an employee of the Procurement Department for their help?

• Employees of the Procurement Department are prohibited from accepting gifts, meals, trips, or any other items or services from a supplier. A simple "thank you" or a short letter is acceptable.

How often does the City hold auctions?

• For more information, please visit our Auction Information Web page.