How can I get an issued hard copy of a bid?

All bids are available from the Purchasing Department located at 1495 Robinhood Drive. Bids are posted on this website as an added service but are not intended for official use. Please contact the Purchasing Department at 956-983-6364 to obtain current and legal copies of bid specs.

Can anyone submit a bid? If so, how do I start?

Yes, anyone who meets the minimum requirements can submit a bid. Simply download the bid specifications, which include the vendor forms. Print, complete and return them to the Purchasing Department by the due date and time. All bids should be addressed as follows:

Purchasing Department
Mrs. Diane Solitaire
Purchasing Manager
Brownsville Public Utilities Board
1495 Robinhood Drive
Brownsville, Texas 78521

A proposal/bid guarantee may be required in the form of a proposal/bid bond for five percent of the amount of the proposal/bid, according to the statutory requirements and specifications. Specifications will indicate the method of payment of the contract and type of pricing, either lump sum or unit. Proposals/Bids must conform to the specifications or they may be rejected. Once Proposals/Bids are submitted, they become property of BPUB and will not be returned. The Brownsville Public Utilities Board reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, all rights reserved.

How do I register as a Vendor to receive bids?

By submitting a vendor application. Please note that a vendor application does not guarantee that the vendor will receive all bids. It is the vendor’s responsibility to check regularly for bid openings on this website or the hard copy of The Brownsville Herald on which we advertise as mandated by law.

Are there any Bidders' guidelines?

Below is a list of guidelines to use when preparing a Proposal/Bid. The list includes common errors made by bidders responding to Proposal/Bid invitations. These instructions are provided as guidelines and may not contain all relevant requirements. Carefully reading the Proposal/Bids is critical.

a) When you sign the signature page, you are agreeing to the general conditions, specifications, certification and other documents of the solicitation. The vendor is responsible to assure that she/he has received all addendums or documents prior to bid submittal. Contact the Purchasing Department to clarify any questions if needed.

b) Write all deviations or exceptions taken from the specifications clearly and in detail.

c) All Proposal/Bids must be received before the due date and time indicated for the opening or reading. At this time, all noted documents must be sealed; no faxed copies will be accepted.

d) Make sure all samples, literature, insurance, bonding, or warranty is submitted with Proposal/Bids if requested.

e) Make sure all parts of the Proposal/Bids are filled out – unit price, extension, description, time of delivery, etc.

What is the difference between a bid and proposal?

A bid is the executed document submitted by a Bidder in response to an Invitation for Bids, a Request for Quotation or a multi-step bidding procedure. The bid price holds firm. Whereas a Request For Proposal (RFP) is a group of documents, whether attached or incorporated by reference, utilized for soliciting (competitive) proposals. The RFP procedure permits negotiation of proposals and prices as distinguished from competitive bidding and an Invitation for Bids. It also allows changes to be made after proposal are opened and contemplates that the nature of the proposal and/or prices offered will be negotiated prior to award.