Procurement Process
Types of Requests for Bids/Proposals:
Invitation for Bids (IFB) — This open, competitive bid process is generally required for contracts for goods/services in excess of $10,000. Exceptions to this requirement are listed in the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority Act, 70 ILCS 210/24 and 210/25.1.
Request for Proposals (RFP) — This open competitive proposal process is utilized when contracting for professional services in excess of $10,000 where several evaluation factors identified in the RFP will be used to select a contractor.
Request for Qualifications (RFQ) — This process is utilized to qualify a "pool" of suppliers to provide a service or product. Selection is based on the qualifications enumerated in the RFQ. Suppliers who have been qualified through this process are requested to provide pricing on a project by project basis.
Invitation for Bids (IFB)
Advertisement of Opportunity
Notices of available bid opportunities are advertised in the Chicago Sun Times, Edwardsville Intelligencer, Extra (a Spanish/English Newspaper) and the Chicago Defender. Bids are advertised three times, with the last time at least ten calendar days before the due date. The advertisement will specify the product or service required, where and when prospective bidders may obtain the Formal Bid Document and the date and time of a Pre-Bid Conference, if applicable.
Advertisements are also sent via facsimile or by e-mail to those suppliers who are listed in the MPEA Vendor Database as providers of the advertised product or service. Suppliers can register with the MPEA by completing the Vendor Registration Form.
Pre-Bid Conference
If applicable, conference to answer any questions pertaining to a bid's scope, specifications, procedures for submission and the MPEA Special Conditions regarding Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises requirements is held prior to the bid due date. The date of this conference is listed in the advertisement and on the bid document.
Submittal of Bids
Bids must be submitted on the required forms furnished in the Invitation for Bid package.
Bids must be sealed, marked with the name of the bid opportunity on the outside of the package, submitted by the date and time and to the correct location indicated in the Formal Bid Document.
Bid Deposits
All bids require a deposit in the form of a certified or cashier's check drawn on a National or State bank or a bid bond. Bid deposits are returned to bidders as stipulated in the Bid Package after the bid opening.
Bid Opening
All bids are opened publicly at the time and place indicated in the Bid Package.
Bid Review / Awarding of Contract
It is the intention of the MPEA to award the contract to the lowest, responsive and responsible, bidder. To this end, a thorough technical and financial review of each submitted bid will be undertaken by the Procurement Department.
After review, recommendations are made to the MPEA Board of Directors at the next monthly Board meeting.
The MPEA retains the right to reject any and all bids when such rejection is determined to be in the best interest of the public.
