How To Do Business with ReWa
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 2
Frequently Asked Question from Suppliers ........................................................................................ 3
The Basics of Purchasing ........................................................................................................................ 5
Competitive Bids ............................................................................................................................ 5
Competitive Proposals .................................................................................................................. 5
Small Purchases ............................................................................................................................ 5
Multi-year Contracts....................................................................................................................... 5
How to Register with ReWa.......................................................................................................... 5
How ReWa Advertises Its Solicitations ................................................................................................ 5
PlanetBids ....................................................................................................................................... 5
Publications..................................................................................................................................... 6
Current Solicitations on ReWa’s Website ................................................................................... 6
Solicitation Process................................................................................................................................... 6
Pre-Bid and Pre-Proposal Meetings / Conferences................................................................... 6
Bond Information ............................................................................................................................ 6
How to Submit a Bid or Proposal ................................................................................................. 6
What Happens to Received .......................................................................................................... 7
Bids and Proposals ........................................................................................................................ 7
How Bids and Proposals Are Opened ......................................................................................... 7
Late Bids/Proposals ....................................................................................................................... 7
Corrections/Withdrawals ............................................................................................................... 7
How Bids and Proposals Are Evaluated ..................................................................................... 8
Bidders’ Responsiveness and Responsibility ............................................................................. 8
Disqualification of Bids .................................................................................................................. 8
What Happens When the Award Is Made? ................................................................................ 9
Supplier Performance .................................................................................................................... 9
Penalties for Non-Performance .................................................................................................... 9
Communication with the Purchasing Department ............................................................................. 9
Meetings.......................................................................................................................................... 9
Requested Research..................................................................................................................... 9
Gratuities ....................................................................................................................................... 10
Responsibility of Suppliers ................................................................................................................... 10
ReWa Purchasing Department
1
How To Do Business with ReWa
Introduction
Welcome to Renewable Water Resources (ReWa) Purchasing, a part of the Administrative
Finance Division. The Purchasing Department is ReWa’s purchasing agent for supplies, materials,
equipment, and contracts for services. These goods and services are procured within the statutes
of ReWa’s Procurement Code, and certain guidelines and procedures as established by ReWa’s
Purchasing Department.
The goal of the Purchasing Department is to obtain and pay for quality goods and services at the
lowest reasonable cost to ReWa’s customers, while operating at the highest standards of ethical
conduct and professionalism. Purchasing strives to treat suppliers and contractors fairly and
equitably and to maximize competition whenever possible. We believe that an environment of
competition is most beneficial to both buyer and seller, and it is our policy to foster this
environment. Additionally, we believe that our suppliers are the greatest resource we have
available for keeping us abreast of current products, services, updates, and new information;
therefore, Purchasing welcomes meetings with suppliers.
ReWa’s Purchasing Department is a member of the National Institute of Governmental
Purchasing (NIGP). Dedicated to continued growth in knowledge and skill. We thank you for your
interest in the Purchasing Department, and we look forward to your participation in the purchasing
process.
Conducting business with a public entity can be a very rewarding experience. However, without a
clear understanding of how the particular agency operates, it may seem like a tedious endeavor.
Conducting business with a governmental agency can be significantly distinct from operations
associated with the private sector since there are more complexities involved in the procurement
process.
The purpose of this manual is to assist you, a supplier of goods and/or services, on how to
effectively conduct business with ReWa. Included is information on what ReWa expects from
suppliers and the basic How To’s… involved in dealing with ReWa.
The information contained in this booklet should be a helpful guide for potential suppliers in their
efforts to sell their products and services to ReWa. If additional information is needed, please write,
call, or fax your request to:
Purchasing Department
561 Mauldin Road
Greenville, SC 29607
E-mail: purchasing@re-wa.org
Phone: 864-299-4000
Fax: 864-299-4039
Website: www.rewaonline.org
Solicitation Center: Current Solicitations
ReWa Purchasing Department
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How To Do Business with ReWa
Frequently Asked Question from Suppliers
Q: How do I get on the Vendor list for ReWa?
ReWa’s user departments determine the need for a new vendor providing goods and/or services
and goes through an internal approval process. Once approved the supplier needs to register
online. Register by registering as a vendor on ReWa PlanetBids portal found on the Purchasing
Department’s pages on the website.
Note: Completion of this registration does not ensure that you will be placed on the
ReWa Vendor List. Inclusion is not a binding assurance of solicitation.
Q: After I have registered does this mean I will automatically receive notifications of bids
that pertain to my company?
No. However, ReWa now offers email notifications – automated e-mails referencing information on
ReWa active solicitations. Sign up is available on the ReWa PlanetBids portal. Suppliers are still
encouraged to visit the website or Current Solicitations weekly for new opportunities.
Q: I do not have access to the Web; how can I register my company?
Companies that wish to do business with ReWa must have internet access, all bids and proposals
are handled electronically through the ReWa PlanetBids portal.
Q: I registered my company several months ago and have not yet heard anything nor
received any solicitations. Can you tell me if my company is indeed registered?
Confirmation will be sent to your company once internally approved. Online registration does not
ensure registration on the approved vendor list. If you have not received this confirmation, please
contact the Purchasing Department.
Q: Does ReWa have a MBE/WBE program?
Not at this time.
Q: My company has a new product that we would like to present to you. How can I get set
up to do that?
Such requests can be set up with the User Department. If there is a desire/need to meet with the
Purchasing Department, please call or e-mail the Purchasing department for an appointment.
Q: I am a small company and the projects/items in which I would be interested to supply
are smaller in nature. How do I find out about these?
You may call the Purchasing Department and set up an appointment to present your company’s
information.
Q: Are pre-bid/pre-proposal conferences mandatory?
Occasionally they are mandatory. Every solicitation specifies if there is a pre-bid/ pre-proposal
meeting, and if it is mandatory. Solicitations requiring advertisement are posted on our website at:
R e W a o n l i ne . o r g and in SCBO.
Q: How can I find out who the apparent low suppliers were?
This information can be accessed on the ReWa PlanetBids website. All solicitation information is
subject to public disclosure upon contract execution unless noted as “Confidential” by the
bidder/offeror.
ReWa Purchasing Department
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How To Do Business with ReWa
Q: When awarding a bid, are South Carolina suppliers given preference over suppliers from
out of state?
Every solicitation identifies bidders’/offeror’ eligibility and is explicit if specific consideration is
given to “locality”.
Q: After a bid or proposal is awarded, is it possible to get a copy of the winning bid or
proposal?
Yes, the request must be submitted in writing. All solicitation information is subject to public
disclosure upon contract execution unless noted as “Confidential” by the bidder/ offeror.
Q: What should I do if I would like to protest a bid/proposal award?
Protests should be submitted in writing to the Purchasing Manager. Only contracts with anticipated
or actual value equal to or exceeding Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000) are subject to
protest.
Q: If I submitted a bid on a multi-year contract, will I automatically be sent a bid the next
time it comes up for bid?
While we strive to notify as many qualified vendors of published solicitations as possible, we
encourage vendors to sign up for email notifications to receive timely alerts of published
solicitations. Please visit our website and sign up for email notifications on the ReWa PlanetBids
portal.
Q: I would like to meet and introduce myself to the Purchasing Agent/Manager. Do I need
an appointment?
Yes, please contact the Purchasing Department for an appointment at 894-299-4000.
Q: I would like to get a plan holders list for a particular bid. Can you provide me with this?
There is no “plan holders” list, the list of the contractors/vendors that attended the Pre-Bid meeting
will be posted within 24 hours of the meeting on the ReWa PlanetBids website. However, if you
are a vendor and would like the list in order to make your product/services available to the plan
holders, the Purchasing Department will be happy to contact the plan holders and provide them
with your contact information for their consideration.
Q: After a bid/proposal was opened how long does it take before it is awarded?
Every attempt is made to award within 60 days of the opening date.
Q: If I am submitting a bid on a project can I be supplied with the bid tab from the previous
award?
Yes, a written request for the information is required. The solicitation information is subject to public
disclosure upon contract execution.
Q: After I have registered my company, how long does it take before we will be in your
system?
It usually takes three to five business days if the vendor addition is internally approved.
Q: How can I correct or update my company information once I have registered?
Once you are registered, you may correct/update your company information by contacting a
member of the Purchasing Department to update. You will also need to update your company
information in the ReWa PlanetBids portal to receive new project information.
Q: As a ReWa vendor, why do I have to comply with Title 8, Chapter 14, Pursuant to Section
8-14-60?
It is SC Law adopted as a policy by ReWa that unauthorized aliens shall not be employed to
perform work on contracts involving the physical performance of services. Therefore, all
contractors and subcontractors are required to document all such employees and are subject to
audits and inspections by ReWa.
ReWa Purchasing Department
4
How To Do Business with ReWa
The Basics of Purchasing
Competitive Bid
The use of competitive bid method is required where the estimated cost of commodities and
services is greater than $75,000.00, where there are clear and defined specifications available and
where cost is the primary basis of award. Bids are advertised in SCBO (South Carolina Business
Opportunities).
Competitive Proposal
The competitive proposal method is used for the purchase of all goods and services where the
competitive bid method is neither practical nor advantageous and where cost is not the primary
consideration. Generally, competitive sealed proposals are used for procurements such as
professional services, service contracts, financial services and highly technical equipment.
Competitive sealed proposals are advertised in SCBO for two weeks. An evaluation committee
evaluates proposals according to criteria specified in the proposal document.
Competitive Bid/Proposal/Quotes may also be used for the purchase of goods and services
estimated at $75,000.01 or more.
Small Purchases
Any ReWa user department may purchase up to $50,000.00 per line item from established
vendors with appropriate managerial approval at the department’s discretion. Purchases of
goods and services $50,000.01 to $75,000.00 require two written quotes.
Multi-year Contracts
ReWa has various multi-year and/or annual contracts in place for frequently used items and
services. The contracts are results of a bid, proposal, quotes or other method of procurement
allowed by the Procurement Code. Contracts allow ReWa to order products or services directly
from the awarded suppliers at already established prices and terms on an “as needed, when
needed” basis. The length of acceptable terms for a multi-year contract can be up to a total of
seven years.
How to Register with ReWa
Please also refer to vendor registration information above. Suppliers interested in participating in
the bidding process may register online on ReWa’s website. Please contact the Purchasing
Department if you cannot register online. ReWa sends most of its purchase orders to our
contracted suppliers via fax and email. It is vital, therefore, that suppliers keep their information
updated. Suppliers are responsible for maintaining their contact information. This may be done by
contacting a member of the Purchasing Department after registration or by submitting a written
request to the Purchasing Department. However, a supplier may submit a bid/proposal without
being a registered supplier.
How ReWa Advertises Its Solicitations
PlanetBids
ReWa posts solicitations on the PlanetBids website and receives bids, quotes, proposals and
qualifications packages electronically through this site. Requests for bid and proposal may be
emailed to registered suppliers, ReWa’s approved suppliers list and to those suppliers suggested
by the User Departments. However, ReWa cannot guarantee that every registered supplier
contained on the suppliers list will receive a copy of every bid or proposal opportunity for a
particular commodity. Suppliers are urged to review the various methods of advertisements that
ReWa uses in the solicitation process, as outlined below. You can also sign up for e-notifications
to be kept abreast with information on ReWa active solicitations.
ReWa Purchasing Department
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This page summarizes the opportunity, including an overview and a preview of the attached documents.