Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. A vendor may review copies of the bids received prior to award, after the bid opening. Please contact a Purchasing Agent. to make an appointment.

A "responsive bid" is a bid that meets all the terms, conditions and specifications of the IFB. A "responsible bidder" is a bidder who has the financial resources, personnel, facilities, integrity, and overall capability to complete a particular Charleston Water System contract successfully.

Ye, if it is in the best interest of the Commission to accept the "all or none" stipulation, the bid may be accepted for evaluation. However, if the Commission determines that the "all or none" stipulation is not in its best interest, the bid may be disqualified by the Director of Operations Support.

Resident preference is applicable only in the case of tie bids.

Bidders may request to review files. To do so, contact the Director of Operations Support.

Yes, they are called small field purchases. Small purchase orders (SPO) cover the procurement of certain minor miscellaneous materials and supplies, the value of which do not warrant purchasing under centralized. The SPO is limited to a specified monetary amount $200.00 per order and is authorized for use under specific conditions.

Surplus property is managed by the Purchasing Department, which also schedules auctions, spot sales or competitive bidding for surplus property.

Questions concerning surplus property should be referred to a Purchasing Agent.

You should bid on only those items you can provide. The Director of Operations Support has the option to decide, after bid evaluation, whether or not a bid-in-part is feasible for the Commission. The individual bid will indicate whether the bid will be awarded on an individual line item basis or in the aggregate or combination thereof.

Product approval or evaluation is normally done after bids are received and opened. However, in some instances the Commission will evaluate certain products and establish a Qualified Products list. When this is the case, products can be submitted for evaluation at any time.

Yes, if the bid specified "a brand name or Charleston Water System approved equal," you may offer an alternative" or equal" brand. "Or equal" products will be evaluated after bids are received, based on literature submitted and any required testing for the product.

Click here to download our 2015 W-9 (PDF).