Small Purchases - Not requiring 3 quotes

• $500 for a single purchase
• $1,500 for single purchases related to mechanical, plumbing, electrical, painting and carpentry
• Other exceptions may be yearly subscriptions, utilities, travel and some equipment maintenance contracts

Quotes - Requires 3 quotes (Non-Construction)

• Purchases between $500 and $10,000 (which do not fall into the Small Purchases category)
• All purchases of this type require three quotes which can utilize the City's new web based quote system.

Commodity & Service Related - Sealed Bids

• Commodities and Service related solicitations greater than $10,000, reference Sealed Bid section for details.

Technical and Material Specifications

Construction Standards

City General Conditions

Procurement by Direct-purchase of $1500 for a single purchase related to mechanical plumbing, electrical and carpentry. Other exceptions include annual subscription or membership fees, personal reimbursements, mileage, travel, maintenance contracts, etc.

Note* Service related purchases may require insurance, see General Information section below for general insurance requirements.

The request for proposal method of procurement is normally conducted with more than one source submitting an offer or proposal. Either a fixed price or cost reimbursement type contract is awarded. This method of procurement is generally used when conditions are not appropriate for the use of sealed bids (i.e. when descriptions of experience, education, expertise, availability of services, etc, are necessary for evaluation). If this procurement method is used the following requirements apply:

1. Requests for proposals will be publicized.
2. All evaluation factors will be identified and included along with their relative importance in the RFP.
3. Proposals will be solicited from an adequate number of qualified sources.
4. RFP Addendums: Any modifications, clarifications, or additions to the RFP will be distributed as written addenda, from the Bureau of Purchases. No verbal interpretation from a city department or from the Bureau of Purchases should be considered valid.
5. Departments will have a written method in place for conducting technical evaluations of the proposals received and for selecting awardees. This documentation must be submitted to the Purchasing Agent.
6. Awards will be made to the responsible firm whose proposal is most advantageous to the grantee's program.
7. RFP Withdrawal- RFP may be withdrawn by written request prior to RFP opening or 60 days after the RFP opening if no award has been made.

Request for Qualifications (RFQ)

The request for qualifications method of procurement is normally conducted with more than one source submitting information or evidence of experience. This procedure is used in formal, noncompetitive solicitation of qualifications, data, comments, or reaction from possible suppliers preceding the issuance of a Request for Proposal or a multi-step bidding procedure.

Protest Procedures

The procedures established hereunder shall be available to contractors with respect to a Bid/RFP/RFQ for the purpose of handling and resolving disputes relating to procurements hereunder. A protestor must exhaust all administrative remedies hereunder before pursuing a protest in any court of law. In the event you desire to protest an opening. You must write your letter of protest within 8 hours of the opening date/time. A written decision will be returned to you from the Bureau of Purchases in a timely manner.

Bonding Requirements

For those construction or facility improvement contracts or subcontracts exceeding $100,000, the City requires the following:

1. Bid bonds
2. A performance bond on the part of the contractor for 100 percent of the contract price. A "performance bond" is one executed in connection with a contract to secure fulfillment of all the contractor's obligations under such contract; and
3. A labor and material bond on the part of the contractor for 100 percent of the contract price. A labor and material bond is one executed in connection with a contract to assure payment, as required by law, of all persons supplying labor and material in the execution of the work provided for in the contract.

General Insurance Requirements

Other Services (non-Construction) maintenance, performances, rental of equipment, etc require a Certificate of Insurance (COI). The following limits and clauses are required:

1. The statement "The City of New Haven is named as an additional insured." must be typed in the "Description" column as a complete separate statement.
2. City of New Haven must be designated as Certificate Holder on the face of the Certificate.
3. An endorsement stating the work description, contract name, contract number, and location
4. An endorsement that the insurance company will give at least thirty (30) day written notice to the City prior to any modification or cancellation of any such insurance coverage;

Insurance Requirements: Minimum

• Workers Compensations: Evidence Required
• General Aggregate (Other than Products/Completed Operations): $2 million
• Products and Completed Operations: $2 million
• Personal and Advertising injury: $1 million
• Each Occurrence Limit: $1 million
• Fire Damage legal Liability $300,000
• Medical Payments, any one person: $ 10,000
• Automobile $100,000 / 300,000
• Professional Liability Insurance $1 million (when applicable)

For Your Company

The following Hold Harmless clause and premium payment clause must be typed on your company stationery and signed by a company officer who is authorized to sign on behalf of the company

"The Contractor agrees to hold harmless and indemnify the City of New Haven from and against all claims, damages, losses or expenses, including attorney's fees, for the negligence, gross negligence and/or willful acts of the Contractor or any of its subcontractors arising out of the performance of its services under this Agreement."

"The Contractor will be responsible for the payment of all insurance premiums and/or charges."

Brand Name or Equals

Incorporate a clear and accurate description of the technical requirements for the material, product, or service to be procured. Such description shall not contain features unduly restricting competition. The description may include a statement of the qualitative nature of the material, product, or service to be procured and when necessary, shall set forth those minimum essential characteristics and standards to which it must conform if it is to satisfy its intended use. Detailed product specifications should be avoided if at all possible. When it is impractical or uneconomical to make a clear and accurate description of the technical requirements, a "brand name or equal" description may be used.

Requisitioning Departments shall use a "brand name or equal" description only when it cannot provide an adequate specification or more detailed description, without performing an inspection and analysis, in time for the acquisition under consideration. Further, a department wishing to use "brand name or equal" must carefully identify its minimum needs and clearly set forth those salient physical and functional characteristics of the brand name product in the solicitation.

Conflicts of Interest

The City's Code of Ethics covers standards of conduct and conflict of interest issues. In addition, employees, officers, board members, or agents of the City of New Haven are prohibited from participating in the selection, award, or administration of contracts or sub-agreements supported by federal funds if a real or apparent conflict of interest exists. To that end, any of the above mentioned persons must submit a City of New Haven to the Human Resources Department on an annual basis.

The following language must be included in all RFPs for design and evaluation services covered under this section. This statement prohibits contractors from bidding on follow-up (add on) construction work resulting from the design.

"In order to prevent real or apparent conflicts of interest, the City prohibits contractors that have participated in funded design or evaluation services from bidding on any resulting construction work, services, or capital equipment purchases. All specifications prepared by design consultants must be written in such a manner that any reasonable, competent contractor could understand the requirement and perform the work"

Local Business Preference Ordinance

This ordinance (section 2-483) was promulgated as part of the City's ongoing effort to support local business enterprises physically located in the City of New Haven.

State of Connecticut Prevailing Wage Rates

The City of New Haven is required under State statute to require prevailing wage rates for any construction project with a value in excess of $150,000.00. On bids/rfps that require state wage rates the Bureau of Purchases will indicate in the Invitation to bid that the State wage rates apply and will provide the rates.

Federal Prevailing Wage Rates

The City of New Haven is required under Federal law to require Federal wage rates on federally funded projects. On bids/rfps that require Federal wage rates the Bureau of Purchases will indicate in the Invitation to bid that the Federal wage rates apply and will provide the rates.

Livable Wage

On April 24, 1997, the Board of Alders of the City of New Haven adopted an Ordinance Establishing A Living Wage for Service Workers and for all Small Business Initiative bids under $150,000.00. All qualifying contracts bid after the effective date of the ordinance, with services/commodities to be provided after 7/1/97, must meet the requirements of this ordinance. The Purchasing Agent determines which Bids/RFPs require the livable wage. It will be indicated in the invitation to bid or instructions to bidders. The current rate will also be provided.

Living Wage is governed under the City of New Haven General Code of Ordinances, under section 2-511 to 2-517.  If health benefits are not provided to the covered employee, the covered employer must provide to the covered employee an additional one dollar ($1.00) per hour towards the provision of health care benefits.

Living Wage Rates:

Provisions of the Living Wage Ordinance:

For all hours worked on a City property or site, employees or subcontractor's employees must receive a wage consistent with the ordinance. In the event the contract provides for an extension or renewal, the vendor/contractor will continue to provide workers the living wage, as determined by the City Controller for the time period concerned.

The vendor/contractor is required to adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws or regulations, which require or encourage employers to adopt and implement affirmative action plans.

The vendor/contractor must adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws or regulations pertaining to the employment of persons with disabilities.

The vendor/contractor must give priority in hiring to employees of the service contractor who previously had the contract that provided these services/commodities and to any former City Employees who have been laid off, and who would have had a rightful opportunity to perform this work had the City decided to assign its own staff to this purpose.

The vendor/contractor will give every consideration to the hiring and training of current or former welfare recipients for positions required to fulfill this contract.

The vendor/contractor will advise workers whose gross hourly pay is less than twelve dollars ($12) per hour of their possible right to the federal Earned Income Credit ("E.I.C.") under Section 32 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, 26 U.S.C. Section 32, and shall make available to such service workers forms informing them about the E. I. C. payments from the vendor/contractor.

The vendor/contractor will utilize community based hiring halls as follows: (1) Upon receipt of a contract award, and as vacancies may occur subsequently on work related to this contract, the vendor/contractor shall promptly post all vacant work positions with the community-based hiring halls; (2) Beginning July 1, 1998, the vendor/contractor shall give first consideration for vacant positions to persons referred by the community based hiring halls.

The vendor/contractor must post copies of documents, provided by the City Controller, stating the living wage applicable to workers. This posting shall include a form, which may be used by workers to file a complaint with the City Controller for non-compliance with the provisions of this article. Postings shall be made at the work site in a prominent place, where all documents posted pursuant to this article may be easily seen and read by all workers. A copy of each of any of the posted documents shall be given by the vendor contractor to any worker upon request of the worker, no later than (I) the last hour of the service worker's next shift or (ii) the last hour of the next business day.

The vendor/contractor must routinely submit wage reports to the City, and he/she will be monitored periodically for compliance with the living wage ordinance. Restitution to the worker must be made for any wages paid for qualifying hours that are less than stipulated in the living wage ordinance.

The vendor/contractor will be subject to penalty for lack of compliance with the provisions of the living wage ordinance. Such penalties include fines, termination of contract, and removal from eligible bidders list.

An hourly wage may not be reduced to achieve the stipulated livable wage;

Restitution to the employee of wages owed under the ordinance, should review of contractor records reveal non-compliance with the Living Wage Ordinance or should a finding be made in favor of a complaining employee; and

Fines and penalties in the event an employer remains non-compliant.

 No Purchase Order. No Payment Policy.

Without an official Purchase Order number and/or enough unencumbered funds available, payment of vendor invoices will be rejected or significantly delayed until the change order or adjustments can be processed and approved. If a vendor has a valid invoice that exceeds the open, unencumbered PO balance, vendors must immediately contact the “Bill To” Department listed on their PO before submitting their invoice for payment.

Billing/Invoicing/Contract Value – All vendors/contractors shall agree to and understand that it is incumbent upon the vendor/contractor to track billing against each PO. All vendors/contractors shall be required to send written notice to the City's Purchasing Agent and the contact person within the respective City department when eighty per cent (80%) of the total value of the PO has been expended.

The written notice shall identify the PO number, the Contract or Agreement number, and clearly reference the fact that eighty percent (80%) of the total PO has been expended, along with an up-to-date statement of invoices. The vendor/contractor shall be required to acknowledge that any work performed in excess of the total value of the PO shall not be paid by the City if the vendor/contractor failed to:

1. Provide proper notice to the City as described above, and/or;
2. Obtain written permission to proceed with additional work. Any Work Orders sent to the vendor/contractor by City personnel shall NOT be considered written permission to exceed the PO value.

Blanket Purchase Orders

The City will continue to use blanket purchase orders; however, they will be used far more sparingly than in prior years. While blanket PO’s create significant flexibility for each department, that flexibility comes at a significant price. By their very nature blanket POs reduces and/or eliminates transparency and accountability to Best Procurement Practices. Therefore, the following rules will apply to all blanket POs and effective July 1, 2019.

Blanket POs can only be authorized by the Controller or his designee and issued by the Purchasing Agent. For a requesting department to be granted a blanket PO, they will have to define a specific use case and present a compelling reason why they are unable to identify the specific goods and/or services that might arise in which funding is needed.

Emergency or Non-Standard Goods/Services

• Because required emergency and/or non-standard services is not immediately associated with a funded PO, an Emergency PO number that is departmental specific will initially be utilized for such services. When the requesting City department contacts the authorized vendor/contractor to initiate such services, the appropriate emergency blanket PO number will be provided to the vendor/contractor, which must be referenced on all invoices specifically associated to those emergency services performed.
• vendor/contractor has up to 96 hours after initial request by the City department for emergency / non-standard services to electronically submit their invoice to NHInvoice@newhavenct.gov.
• Upon receipt of the invoice, it will be processed by the City of New Haven’s E-invoicing tool and electronically routed to the appropriate personnel within the requesting City department as well as the Finance and Purchasing departments.This routing process will trigger proactive discussions between the requesting department and finance to ensure the appropriate funds are identified and properly allocated for such services.
• Upon final approval and agreement of funding allocation, the procurement department will then issue a new, billable PO with the respective funds, or process a change order to an existing PO for the vendor/contractor.
• Upon creation of a new PO or completion of a PO change order, the vendor/contractor will be emailed an electronic copy of the PO. The vendor/contractor will need to revise their original invoice, removing reference of the emergency PO and replacing it with the newly funded, billable PO number. The vendor/contractor shall be required to submit their revised invoice to NHInvoice@newhavenct.gov or PriorityPay@newhavenct.gov if enrolled, so that it can be processed for payment in accordance with the City’s new PO and Invoice policies.

Vendor Invoice Due Date

The payment due date for invoices shall be the later of:

• The date the City or Department receives the goods/services under contract; or
• The date the vendor competes performance of its services for the City/Department; or
• The date the Finance Department receives a valid invoice (emailed to: NHInvoice@newhavenct.gov or PriorityPay@newhavenct.gov), which is complete, correct, and complies with the City's E-Invoicing policy

Payment Terms 

The City of New Haven has adopted NET 30-day payment terms. If these terms cause your business an inconvenience, please ask about the Priority Payment Program, which is a voluntary program that can get you paid in as little as 5 – 10 days. 

Payment Options

The City of New Haven’s preferred method for making payments to vendors, and for issuing reimbursements to employees is by electronic payment (i.e. Automated Clearing House (ACH)). This method of payment is more secure, timely and cost effective. Currently, paper check distribution is also available although subject to restrictions and extra delays due to the manpower and cost. 

Electronic Payment “Preferred Payment Option”
Vendor’s can invoice the City of New Haven 1 time per week, per PO. Once an invoice has received its final approval, it will be immediately processed for payment. New Haven will transfer the payment electronically to the City’s bank with instructions to release the payment to you, per your direct deposit form, on the 30th day from the date your invoice was emailed to New Haven.

Paper Check “Alternative Payment Option”
Vendors can invoice twice a month, the first time between the 1st – 15th and a second time between 16th – end of the month, per PO. If the payment is due Net 30 days, If you prefer a paper check, your payment will be made on the next payment schedule after the contractual terms of Net 30 have been met.

Vendors seeking payment must contact the City Department for which they have contracted with, after which they may contact the Accounts Payable Department for the City of New Haven. (203)-946-8306.

The City of New Haven is Tax -Exempt under Connecticut State Statute section 12-412a

Priority Payment Program (PPP)

• 100% voluntary program focused on helping strengthen our valued vendor’s cash management, to Get You Paid Quicker if our 30-day payment term causes your business an inconvenience.
• The program will enable the City to release the payment within 24 hours of the invoice being approved verses holding the payment to the 30th day in exchange for a small discount that you propose, as long as it’s fair for both you and the City of New Haven.
• Enable a stronger relationship by aligning mutual goals of both the City and our vendors.
• Achieve long-term savings and protect our community services, the City must continually change our methods and processes to compensate for tighter budgets and stretched resources.
• Vendor has no time or cost associated with tracking down payments.

Solicitation Search Disclaimer

Solicitation packages downloaded from this web site shall be considered for informational purposes only. While the City of New Haven has exercised every reasonable effort to insure the accuracy of the information found on this site, the City makes no warranty or guarantee, either expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, and/or reliability of the information contained herein.

The City of New Haven only assumes responsibility for the accuracy of information contained within bid/proposal packages, and any applicable addenda, which are obtained directly from:

City of New Haven
Bureau of Purchases
200 Orange Street
New Haven, CT 06510

It is the responsibility of any vendor to periodically check the web site to confirm addendum or submission deadline changes. Therefore, it is ultimately the responsibility of the vendor to ensure that they have a complete and accurate solicitation package, and any addenda issued, if any, before submitting their formal bid or proposal package to the City. The City retains the right to reject any incomplete submittals.

• How do I find out about bid/proposal opportunities?

• Is there a fee for a bid package or proposal?

  No, since the City's procurement process is digital, there is no charge associated with obtaining a solicitation package. Simply access the information from your digital device. The Bureau of Purchases does not provide hardcopies copies of solicitations.

• Can I download bid/RFP documents without going through the bid registration process?

  No. You will not be able to download any documents from our website without properly registering. Once registered, you may download solicitation documents.

• How do I respond to your solicitations?

  If you decide to respond to the solicitation you may either:

  1. Submit a hardcopy of your response via the via the U.S. Postal Service or a private carrier service on or before the solicitation due date. No Faxes. We cannot accept a facsimile of this document.
     
     or
     
     
  2. Alternatively, you may submit an electronic version of your response through our online system. The website registration process allows you to create an account used to obtain access to online bids and bid documents. It is also the account used to submit online bids.

  
  

  Note: We do not mail out or email copies of any bid documents or bid tabulations, however you may drop by our office to pick up a copy during office hours (Office Hours: 9 AM to 5PM, Monday -Friday).

• What about cookies and compatibility?

  Our system does not use cookies. Our website works best with PCs using Microsoft Windows Operating System and Internet Explorer 7.0.

• How do I download bid packets/documents?

  You must first register as a vendor with our website. Click on the gray 'Vendor Registration' Button on the top of the page and fill out the form as directed. Once submitted you will be able to search for and download bid packets.

• Once registered, how do I search for bids packets online?

  1. Click on the gray 'Vendor Login' button on the top of the page and login to the site using the credentials supplied when you registered. Your username is your email address. If you have forgotten your password, please click on the 'Forgot your password? Click here for help!' link.
  2. Once logged on you may either search for different types of solicitations using the six color-coded button choices at the top of the page:
     • Commodity Bids
     • Service Bids
     • Construction Bids
     • Quotes
     • RFPs/RFQ's
     • SBI Bids
     Or you may scroll down to see our 'Calendar of Solicitation Deadlines During Current Month' and our 'Pre-Solicitation Meeting Dates Falling Within Current Month' to view up-to-the minute information.
  3. Once you find a solicitation of interest, follow the links to the 'View/Download Opportunities' page where you will be allowed to download all documents associated with this solicitation depending on your status. Note: Only registered SBI vendors will be allowed to download SBI bids or submit online responses for these specific bids. Also note: Once a bid has been archived (60 days past closing) you will not be allowed to download the bid packet but only the tab sheet.

• How do I sign bids that are in electronic form?

  Complete the fillable forms and download, sign the required forms, and then scan and upload the forms through the project portal.

• After I submit my Signature On File forms packet how long does it take to before I can submit bids online?

  To begin bidding over the Internet using our online system, your Signature On File forms packet must be approved and activated by the New Haven Bureau of Purchases as explained above. Your packet must be received at least ten days prior to the date you wish to begin bidding over the Internet in order to allow adequate processing time. Please note that there are no exceptions to this policy and there is no way to expedite this process. Once your paperwork has been received and approved, our online account will be activated and approved for bid submission. Each time you log on to our system you will see your online access status.

• How do I submit a bid over the Internet?

  There are two ways you can easily submit a bid online using our system, however, you must first be logged in successfully to our website and secondly, you must have sent in your Signature On File forms packet (explained above) and have been approved. Once logged in with the correct status follow these tips below:

  1. First Option: Search solicitations using the six color-coded button choices at the top of the page:
     • Commodity Bids
     • Service Bids
     • Construction Bids
     • Quotes
     • RFPs/RFQ's
     • SBI Bids
     Or you may scroll down to see our 'Calendar of Solicitation Deadlines During Current Month' and our 'Pre-Solicitation Meeting Dates Falling Within Current Month' to view up-to-the minute information. Follow the links of the solicitation of interest to the 'View/Download Opportunities' page where you will be allowed to download all documents associated with this solicitation.
     
     Click on the gray 'Submit Bid Online' button and you will be taken to the submission form with the solicitation number automatically filled in for you.
     
     
  2. Second Option: Once logged in, click on the gray 'Submit Bid Online' button in your company's tool bar at located the very top of every page.
     
     You will be taken to a page where you will need to enter the exact bid number associated with this solicitation. Once completed you will be take to the submission form.

• Can I submit a solicitation more than once? Can I withdraw a solicitation?

  Yes, to both questions.

  If you submit a bid multiple times before the deadline, only the last submission will be kept and passed on to the Bureau of Purchases. If you request a bid to be withdrawn before the deadline, it will not be passed on. To request a bid be withdrawn after opening - please email Purchasing@newhavenct.net your request along with your submission receipt number.

• Who can read my solicitation?

  No one can access the solicitation that you submit until the public bid closing, it stays in a secure cloud base virtual 'lock box' and there is no way for anyone else to see it. The 'lock box' is time sensitive to the associated project's closing date. The system cannot read your bid and will not pass it to Bureau of Purchasing until the official solicitation closing.

• Could my bid be lost?

  It is very unlikely, and considerations have been taken to avoid any loss of data. As a bonus, you will receive an electronic solicitation receipt whenever you submit a solicitation, which can be used to prove when the solicitation was submitted. These solicitation receipts also display the time and date of your submission.

• How secure is my bid?

  Your bid is secure in our system. The system does not allow for the directory which stores your documents to be browsed on the Internet. The system also does not allow anyone to follow the link to open your bid documents unless they are an authorized user of the City of New Haven Bureau of Purchases and the closing time has passed.

• How do I submit my bid bond if I submit my bid over the Internet?

  When submitting over the Internet, you will have two options. You may continue to provide a paper bid bond which will be due at the Bureau of Purchases office prior to the bid due date and time. You may submit an electronic bid bond. The specific electronic bid forms may be found when you download the specific solicitation packet. If you choose to submit an electronic bid bond, please be advised that upon signing the bid bond all legal obligations associated with the bid bond ae in full force and effect.

• How much does cost?

  Nothing, the system is free. You must only register.

• What fees are charged for bidding over the Internet?

  None, there are no fees charged for bidding over the Internet.

• Is there a charge to the contractor for using the City of New Haven Online Procurement services?

  No, there is no charge to the contractor for using the City of New Haven Online Procurement services.

• Can I reconnect my account if it is ever cancelled?

  No, if your account was cancelled by the City Of New Haven Bureau of Purchases then you may not reconnect. You will need to contact the Bureau of Purchases in person to discuss.

  Michael V. Fumiatti
  Purchasing Agent
  200 Orange Street
  203-946-8201
  Email

  Office Hours
  Monday -Friday
  9:00AM - 5:00PM

• What do I need to do to be placed on the City's bidder list?

  Vendors interested in being placed on the bidders list should register at the BONFIRE - Public Purchasing Portal.

• Does being on the list guarantee receiving a bid proposal?

  No, placement on the bidder's list is no guarantee of your company being notified of a solicitation.

• How do I contact City departments and or buyers to introduce my company?

  To schedule a sales visit, call for an appointment during normal business hours.

  Procurement Staff Contact Information

• May I receive or send a bid package by facsimile?

  No, all information is obtained through the procurement portal. In fact if you do send a bid package by facsimile, your bid submission will be rejected.

• Who originates the requirement for an Invitation to Bid or Request for Proposal?

  Normally the using agency submits a requisition to Procurement Services for a specific requirement.

• How are small purchases handled?

  City agencies have been delegated authority for small purchases up to and including $10,000. For purchases of $500 and under a non-competitive decentralized Requisition is used. For purchases over $500 and up to and including $10,000 three written quotes are required.

• Does the Purchasing Department buy for all City offices?

  The Bureau of Purchases has the responsibility to purchase or all supplies, materials, equipment, and contractual services as needed. The City does not procure services or commodities for the Housing Authority or Parking Authority. However, from time to tome both agencies will piggyback off City contracts.

  Departmental Information

• Does the City give bid results over the telephone?

  No, all responding bidder's are provided with results by web site posting after award is made. Bidder's may browse awards/intent notices for further information.

• How do I participate in public opening of a solicitation?

  Due to current Covid 19 Pandemic conditions and for the for see able future, in person public closings have changed to virtual public closings through the Zoom application. You will need consult a solicitation for applicable details.

• Is preferential treatment granted to small and minority businesses?

  It is the desire of the City of New Haven to increase the number of minorities who participate meaningfully in all City contracts. To this end, the City uses goals and encourages good faith efforts by all parties who engage in governmental contracting. The City is strongly committed to the utilization of minority firms/individuals for all goods and services. The City provides all firms, regardless of race or nationality, equal access to the procurement process. The City employs a Minority Business Recruiter to assist firms in doing business with the City. Minority Business Enterprise information may be accessed here.

• What amount must a project be before it is formally bid?

  All goods, services, insurance and construction estimated to cost more than $10,000 will be subject to a formal bid or request for proposals.

• Will the City FedEx/Overnight mail a bid package to a vendor?

  No, the city will not FedEx/Overnight mail a bid package to a vendor.

• When are contracts for annual services let out to bid?

  Normally contracts will be let out bid approximately three months prior to expiration of the current contract.

• How long will my firm remain on the City's bidder mailing list?

  Indefinitely, but the City reserves the right to purge vendors from the bidder's list with inactivity in excess of two years.

• What are your office hours and locations?

  Bureau of Purchases is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. E.S.T. Monday through Friday. We are located in Hall of Record, Room 301 at 200 Orange Street, New Haven, CT. 06510

• Who is the Purchasing Agent for the City?

  The Purchasing Agent for the City of New Haven is Michael Fumiatti, 203-946-8201

• How does the City advertise goods or services being bid?

  All goods, services, construction or insurance requirements estimated to cost more than $10,000 are subject to the following advertising sources:

  • Advertised in the New Haven Register, (only Bids, RFP's & RFQ's).
  • Posted on the City's website
  • Notice sent to construction Reporting Agencies
  • State Web Site - Department of Administrative Services

• How do I get information regarding previous contracts?

  You may request information about or copies of previous contracts through the Freedom of Information Act process by contacting the following:

  City of New Haven Bureau of Purchases
  200 Orange Street
  New Haven, CT 06510
  203-946-8201