§ 102-381. Prequalification of offerors (request for qualifications).

(a)

Conditions for use. Under this article, the purchasing agent, in consultation with the using agency may determine that it is in the best interests of the county to prequalify offerors for particular types of supplies, services, construction and professional and consultant services. Prequalification standards may be imposed by the purchasing agent that must be met by any offeror in order to qualify to respond to an invitation for bids or a request for proposals. Offerors shall be required to submit information to the purchasing agent to allow a determination of whether an offeror has met such prequalification standards. When prequalification is required, only those offerors who submit the required prequalification information and who are actually prequalified to submit a bid or proposal for a particular solicitation shall be allowed to submit bids or proposals.

(b)

Public notice. Public notice of prequalification shall be given in the same manner as provided in Sections 102-373 and 102-374.

(c)

Receipt of proposals. Proposals shall be opened in the same manner as competitive sealed bids, provided that there is no disclosure of any information derived from proposals submitted by competing offerors. A register of proposals received shall be prepared and made available for public inspection in the purchasing department.

(d)

Procedures for prequalifying offerors. The purchasing agent and using agency for which the solicitation is being performed shall review all information submitted by offerors, and, if necessary, additional information may be required. If the purchasing agent, in consultation with the using agency and any other affected county agency, determines that the offeror meets all of the prequalification standards established under this article, the purchasing agent shall prequalify the offeror as qualified to submit a bid or proposal for the particular solicitation for which the prequalification was performed. The offeror shall be notified in writing of prequalification.

(e)

Failure to prequalify. If an offeror is found not to meet the prequalification standards established under this article, a written determination setting forth the basis for such finding shall be prepared by the purchasing agent and delivered to the offeror.

(Res. No. 13-0052, 1-23-13)