Frequently Asked Questions

Formal solicitations are advertised in the Legal Section of the the Wichita Eagle. Solicitations are published online via the City of Wichita's Vendor Self Service website: https://selfservice.wichita.gov. Additionally, vendors may visit the "Bidding Opportunities" portion of this website or visit the Purchasing Division during normal working hours to obtain copies of any current formal bids.

Yes, bid openings are open to the public. Bid opening is held every Friday at 10:00 a.m. located in the 1st floor board room of City Hall, 455 N. Main, Wichita, KS 67202, unless otherwise disclosed.

Bid openings are held in the 1st floor boardroom of City Hall every Friday at 10:00 a.m. CST unless otherwise noted on the solicitation.

Bid/proposal opening dates and times are firm. There is no "leeway" provided. Bids and proposals must be present and timestamped in the Purchasing office on or PRIOR TO the bid or proposal opening date and time indicated on and in the solicitation documents of each solicitation.

Purchasing exists to obtain the greatest value for each dollar spent by the City of Wichita in the procurement of commodities and services for the various departments we represent. Our job is to see that each City department is supplied with the goods or services it needs quickly, efficiently, and economically.

No. The City has neither a law or policy that provides bid preference points to local or State of Kansas Vendors.

While buyers have areas of expertise, they are not solely assigned to the procurement of specific commodities. Every buyer is trained and knowledgeable in multiple facets of the daily operations of the City of Wichita.

City departments are allowed to procure goods and services, not on a current contract, up to $5,000. After that amount, they must work with the Purchasing division to procure their goods and services.

Yes. The Purchasing division works with all various departments, boards and agencies of the City of Wichita.

The purpose of the meeting will be to review requirements and specifications contained in the solicitation package. It may also be to correct any errors or make any necessary changes. Any addendum(s) that may come out of the pre-bid/pre-proposal conference will be posted on the City's website.

Attendance at pre-bids are not mandatory for vendors to bid on any solicitation, however they are recommended.

A bid is a solicitation that is awarded solely by the lowest and best total bid that meets the specification requirements. A proposal is a solicitation that is not awarded solely by cost, but is instead evaluated based on a list of criteria developed specifically for each proposal called out in the specifications of the proposal. Criteria for evaluation can include, but is not limited to: cost, qualifications, ability to meet required timeline, and approach to the project.

No, proposals are not publically opened.

The City of Wichita has a staff screen and selection committee that reviews each proposal that is submitted and evaluates them. They then decide which vendor and proposal to shortlist, if applicable, and which vendors to interview, if applicable. Vendors are evaluated, shortlisted, and ranked by following the evaluation criteria set forth in the solicitation document.

Yes, the City of Wichita requires that all proposals have emerging business enterprise and/or disadvantage enterprise make up at least 5% of the evaluation criteria.