Information for Vendors - Work with CDOT Procurement
Presentation for Suppliers Wanting to do Business with CDOT
How We Buy
Purchases of goods and personal services (janitorial and office supplies, heavy tow service, variable message signs, parts, maintenance resources, etc.) must comply with the Procurement Code in the Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.) and Procurement Rules. Certain professional services such as; architecture, engineering, professional land surveying, landscape architecture, and industrial hygiene (C.R.S. 24-101-105, C.R.S. 24-30-1402) are excluded from the Procurement Code. Some services are procured through both CDOT's Center for Procurement Contract Services and Engineering Contracts (highway and bridge construction). Visit Connec2DOT's website to see an example of how certain items are purchased.
CDOT strongly encourages the utilization of small businesses, including businesses owned by minorities, women, and veterans when purchasing goods and services with small-dollar values (discretionary purchases - under $25,000). Procurement seeks to provide all businesses regardless of size or ownership opportunity to compete for CDOT contracts.
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Emerging Small Business (ESB) certifications are recognized in bridge and highway construction and generally are not considered in procurement. Contact the Civil Rights Office for more information on these certifications.
The Procurement Code sets a goal for Colorado-based Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) certified through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Vendors wanting to do business with CDOT can review each tab below to understand how CDOT buys goods and services, and learn about various resources available.
When goods or services are needed, regardless of dollar amount, CDOT first considers State Price Agreements (managed by the State Purchasing & Contracts Office) and other cooperative agreements (CDOT Cooperative Purchasing Agreements, The Governors' Office of Information Technology Enterprise Agreements, MAPO Cooperative Agreements). Vendors may contact the managers of agreements to understand contract terms and future bid opportunities.
Purchases with a dollar amount under $50,000 in a fiscal year of July 1st - June 30th are considered to be small-dollar purchases. The decision or choice of vendor for discretionary purchases is primarily through CDOT employees who are the end-users of goods, materials, and equipment, and/or the program managers responsible for the goods or services being purchased.
It can be challenging to find who these individuals are within CDOT. A variety of marketing and networking approaches may be needed to make your business known to the right buyers. Consider attending the Day at the DOT or other events to meet potential customers or contact Commercial Card Program Managers to see if they may purchase the goods and services you offer.
When no cooperative agreements are available, and when the anticipated cost is greater than $50,000 for goods or services, CDOT publishes competitive bids.
All goods and services bids are published on BidNet Direct's Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing site. CDOT only accepts electronic bid submissions on this site. Suppliers interested in submitting bid responses must register in a timely manner to ensure their bid is responsive.
Bid history or bid results can be found on our Bid Log. Bid tabulations are linked to the RFx number on the spreadsheet. View bid status on BidNet Direct for our most recent bids. Contact the Purchasing Agent listed for more information regarding a specific procurement.
| Sourcing Methods for Competitive Bids for Goods & Services | |
| Type/Threshold | Threshold/ Basis for Award |
|
Discretionary up to $50,000 |
No bid required. |
|
Documented Quote (DQ) for purchases of between $50,000 - $250,000 |
The response that is most advantageous to the State, with the price/cost being the primary consideration. |
| Information for Bid (IFB) for purchases over $250,000. | Awarded to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder. |
| 2-Step Information for Bid (2 Step IFB) for purchases over $250,000 | Based on unpriced technical response and pricing. Awarded to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder. |
| Invitation for Best Value (IFB) for purchases over $250,000 | Alternatives for enhancements, options, or alternatives are accepted. Awarded to the response that provides the best response at the lowest cost. |
| Request for Proposal (RFP) for purchases over $250,000 | Most advantageous response considering price and evaluation factors. |
| Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) for purchases over $250,000 | Most advantageous response considering the price, evaluation factors, and the result of negotiations with one or more responsive vendors. |
| Competitive Negotiation for purchases over $250,000 after a solicitation fails to yield successful results and Procurement Official authorizes | Include vendors who responded and other vendors that can meet the need, awarded to most advantageous offer, considering price and evaluation factors. |
View & Respond to Bids
Register to view and respond to CDOT Procurement and Property Management bid opportunities on BidNet Direct/Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing. All bid responses must be submitted electronically via this site. For help, contact the Help Desk at 800-835-4603 Option 2 or email [email protected].
How to Find and Respond to Bid Opportunities - BidNet Direct Presentation
Visit the Bid Express website for bridge and highway construction bids.
Assistance for Suppliers
- Contact Us, CDOT Purchasing Agents
- Contact Us, Storerooms also view Doing Business with CDOT Storerooms
- Commercial Card Program Managers (small-dollar purchases)
- State of Colorado Employee Directory Search
- Connect2DOT is a partnership with CDOT and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network. It assists businesses with consulting, training, technical support, outreach, and events. See Connect2DOT's event calendar, and subscribe to its newsletter.
- BidNet Direct, Support 800-835-4603 Option 2, [email protected]
- ACCESSColorado resources for businesses who want to work with the State of Colorado, Find other Colorado Supplier Events, and Subscribe to learn more about training opportunities and supplier events.
- Colorado PTAC, providing procurement technical assistance and support
