M/WBE Handbook: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

1. How will I know when projects, goods or services are out for bid?
2. How can I be considered for these emergency needs?
3. How can I get the experience to be considered for emergency needs?
4. How will I know the possible prime contractors?
5. How will I know if I might be eligible to bid on a construction project?
6. Who are the appropriate contacts?
7. Should I make cold calls on District personnel?
8. If I am in the District database, am I considered certified as a DBE or M/WBE?
9. Why was I not contacted for bids after completing a Bidder´s Mailing List Application form?
10. What are the addresses of MSD offices?
    

How will I know when projects, goods or services are out for bid?

Purchasing sealed bids (estimated cost greater than or equal to $25,000) and most construction projects will be advertised as outlined in this handbook. For the relatively small emergency requirements in both areas, however, contractors/vendors are notified directly by the District. The timeliness of the need precludes the normal bidding process.

How can I be considered for these emergency needs?

Contractors/vendors considered for these types of projects have had extensive prior experience with the District in the needed area, are the manufacturers or manufacturer´s representatives for specialized equipment, or provide some highly technical expertise. If you feel your company meets any of these criteria, notify the Engineering Department or the Purchasing Division to request consideration for these types of projects.

How can I get the experience to be considered for emergency needs?

As with almost any endeavor, you may need to start small. The first step is completing the prequalification questionnaire or Bidder´s Mailing List Application. On construction or engineering projects, providing subcontracting services will allow your company to get more familiar with the District procedures and District personnel to become more familiar with your company´s capabilities. For purchasing needs, it is best to focus on a certain niche and contact the appropriate District personnel directly to be contacted for open market purchases less than $1,000.

How will I know the possible prime contractors?

The Engineering Department and the Purchasing Division can provide a list of planholders for their respective projects. A list of planholders for construction projects is also available at F. W. Dodge (6330 Knox Industrial Dr. 63139, 314-781-2504), Re-Construction Data Tec (30 Technology Pkwy South, Norcross, GA 30092, 800-699-8640) along with a set of plans for viewing by subscribers to the service. Plans are also available for viewing at the Contractors Assistance Program (6330 Knox Industrial Dr. 1st Floor, 63139, ) Southern Illinois Builders Association (1468 Greenmount Rd., O´Fallon, IL, 618-624-9055), AGC – Jefferson City, MO offices, 1221 Jefferson St., Jefferson City, MO 65109) and Mo-Kan (4144 Lindell Blvd. #316, 63108, 314-535-9200). Purchasing forwards a copy of bid solicitation packages to the St. Louis Minority Business Council (308 N. 21st Street, 7th Floor, St. Louis, MO  63101, 314-241-1143).

How will I know if I might be eligible to bid on a construction project?

Your company will be notified of your construction limit after review and approval of your pre-qualification questionnaire. The engineer´s estimate for each project is available by phone from the Engineering Department.

Who are the appropriate contacts?

A list of District resource personnel is provided with this handbook, however, Engineering and the Purchasing Division are general sources for information regarding their respective areas of concern and will be able to identify contact names for specific projects or commodities.

Should I make cold calls on District personnel?

Many of the District facilities are safety sensitive and are not designed for casual visits. Also, scheduled workloads are dependent upon unpredictable factors such as weather or levels of hazardous wastewater discharge. It is always best to make an appointment with a specific employee.

If I am in the District database, am I considered certified as a DBE M/WBE?

The District does not duplicate the certification efforts of other agencies. Click here to see the list of certifications accepted by the District.

Why was I not contacted for bids after completing a Bidder´s Mailing List Application form?

You may always confirm receipt of your form, your vendor code and listed commodities by calling the Purchasing division. However, other than assuring that the correct information has been entered into the database, there is no guarantee that your particular commodities or services will be requisitioned. To maximize your efforts, it is suggested that you review the list of high usage areas for the District.

What are the addresses of MSD offices?