Our Mission
To provide for the purchase and payment of materials, supplies, and services, with the objective that they will be available at the right time and place, in the right quantity and of a quality and price that is consistent with the needs of the City.
Our Goals
- To leverage the City's purchasing power through a centralized purchasing system and the promotion of cooperative partnerships
- Reduce the cost of government through vendor competition, strategic relationships and alliances
- To ensure the uninterrupted flow of the City's services to its citizens by obtaining and ensuring the acquisition and delivery of acceptable, quality supplies and services, at the right time in the right quantity and at the price
- Utilize technology to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the services provided to both internal and external partners
- Provide fair and equitable treatment of all vendors who participate in City procurement activities
General Information
Main Office is located at:
300 S Adams St
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Phone: 850-891-8280
Fax: 850-891-8796
Hours of Operation:
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Monday though Friday |
Municipal Supply Center is located at:
Major James Morgan Jr. Way
Tallahassee, FL
Phone: 850-891-5270
Fax: 850-891-5281
Hours of Operation:
7:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Monday though Friday |
Office Visits
Vendor representatives are considered a valuable part of our procurement team as we would not be effective without you. We value your visits, however, we recommend you call for appointments in order to productively utilize our time and yours.
Vendor Registration
The Purchasing Division of the City of Tallahassee has instituted the use of the Bonfire System to allow access to solicitations and related information to potential and existing suppliers as well as the general public. The system allows you to receive the information quickly, at your convenience, whenever and wherever you choose, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Access the Bonfire System
Who should use this system?
- Individuals and businesses wanting to become a vendor or supplier for the City of Tallahassee
- Established vendors who need to update their information to remain competitive
- Vendors who want to obtain copies of Bids and Request For Proposals (RFPs)
- Vendors who want to know the status of Bids and RFPs
What type of information is available on the system?
Legal advertisements, mail order request forms, bid/RFP addendum, bid tabulation sheets and vendor pick up lists are available along with the following:
- Current Procurement Listings
- Formal Contracts and Construction Bids
- Straight Bids
- Annual Bids
- Requests for Proposals (RFPs)
- Professional Service Requests for Proposals (RFPs)
- Current Award Recommendations and Current Board Agenda Items
Local Preference Policy
Please be advised that on November 9, 2012, the City's Local Business Certification program ended. The City of Tallahassee would like to thank all of the local businesses who participated in this very worthwhile pilot program.
As the City of Tallahassee considers local businesses to be a vital part of the success of our community, we want to continue to encourage your participation in City procurement activities. Prior to the implementation of the City's Local Business Certification Program, the City's Local Preference Ordinance No. 99-O-0059AA allowed City departments to grant a 5% preference to local businesses in making purchases whenever the application of such a preference is reasonable in light of the dollar-value of proposals received in relation to such expenditures. Effective November 10, 2012, this ordinance was reinstated. Please click on the link below to review this ordinance and how it will be applied to various City purchases and contracting opportunities.
Local Preference Ordinance No. 99-O-0059AA (PDF)
Minority Business Enterprise
It is the policy of the City of Tallahassee that minority, women and small business enterprises shall have the maximum opportunity to participate in the performance of work related to the City's activities. Questions related to how to become a certified MBE vendor with the City of Tallahassee please contact the City's MBE Office at 850-300-7566 or visit their website for more information.
To obtain vendor participation policies and information about the City of Tallahassee's Minority Business Enterprise Program visit the Minority Business Enterprise's information page on Talgov.com or contact the City's Economic and Community Development Office, Minority Business Enterprise Division at 850-300-7566.
Methods of Purchasing
It is the policy of the City of Tallahassee to secure goods and services under one of the methods of source selection identified below:
- Competitive Sealed bidding
- Competitive Sealed proposals
- Small purchases
- Source Source / Non-competitive Negotiations
- Competitive Negotiations
- Emergency Purchases
Construction Contracts
Construction contracts for City Projects are competitively bid through the Invitation for Bid (IFB) process. IFB's are awarded to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder.
Architectural /Engineering Services
Architectural and engineering services are contracted through Procurement Services. Consultant are selected on the basis of qualification. The acquisition of professional architectural, engineering, landscape architectural, or surveying and mapping services shall be made in accordance with the Consultant's Competitive Negotiation Act (CCNA), Section 287.055 of the Florida Statutes.
Public Announcement of Bids (Advertising)
Bids shall be publicly advertised by Procurement only on the City of Tallahassee's Web Site and, for construction projects estimated $200k and above, will be published in the Tallahassee Democrat newspaper. Announcements in the newspaper should appear twice, on Sundays, however, Procurement reserves the right to place notices on other days if necessary.
Advertisements may appear in other circulations, depending on the solicitation, and shall be paid for and coordinated by the department.
Bid Openings
Bid Opening meetings happen every Tuesday and Thursday at 2:30pm (except holidays). Bids will be opened and announced but no award will be made. These meetings will be virtual until further notice.
Contact the assigned Purchasing agent for questions regarding particular solicitations.
Errors/Withdrawals
The City of Tallahassee will allow for the correction or withdrawal of a bid prior to bid opening. After bid opening, only clarifications and bid withdrawals may be considered.
Late Bids
Any bid received in the office designated in the IFB after the exact time specified for receipt will not be accepted and considered unless it is received before award is made and it is determined by Procurement Services that the late receipt was due primarily to City mishandling after receipt.
Right of Rejection
The City of Tallahassee reserves the right to reject any one or all bids/proposals, or any part of any bid/proposal, to waive any informality in any bid/proposal, and to award the purchase in the best interest of the City of Tallahassee.
Posting of Recommended Award
The Official Bid Tabulation Sheet referencing the recommended bidder(s) to receive award(s) will be posted for review and will remain posted for seventy-two hours (72), excluding weekends and holidays. Bidders wishing to review or request copies of bids or tabulation sheets may do so by making an appointment with the appropriate Purchasing Agent. Bidders desiring a mailed copy of the Tabulation Sheet must submit a self- addressed postal stamped envelope to Procurement Services.
Vendor Payment
Payment of invoices shall be made within thirty (30) days after the City of Tallahassee has received, inspected and accepted supplies or services, and a proper invoice has been submitted to the City of Tallahassee's Accounts Payables Section. Payment terms and conditions may be found on the back of each purchase order. Staff may also use their City purchase cards as a method of payment for goods and/or services. The merchant shall submit invoices directly to the cardholder, not the Accounts Payables Section. Payment can be received from our bank provider within 24 to 48 hours after the merchant swipes the card.
Payment Terms
Vendors must insure that payment terms are specifically stated in their bid. Discounts for prompt payments shall be considered in the evaluation of bids.