Procurement Opportunities

METRO is committed to integrity in all facets of the procurement process, ensuring fairness, accountability and efficiency. In addition, the Office of Economic Business Opportunity (OEBO) has several programs designed to further assist in the procurement efforts. On this page, you’ll find:

  • Business opportunity programs
  • Open and anticipated procurements
  • Vendor registration process
  • Useful links to key procurement topics

For more information, email us at procurement@ridemetro.org.

METRO Administration Building at 1900 Main Street in downtown Houston.

Business Opportunity Programs

The METRO Office of Economic Business Opportunity Programs operate in a race and gender-neutral manner. We are committed to providing a variety of programs to ensure equal opportunity, inclusion and nondiscrimination in all our procurement and contracting matters.


METRO’s Small Business Enterprise (SBE) program operates in a race and gender-neutral manner and is open to participation without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national or ethnic origin, age or disability.

METRO has an aspirational annual goal of 35% small business participation. All small business owners are encouraged to apply for METRO SBE certification and participate in METRO procurement opportunities.

Benefits of becoming a METRO certified SBE:

  • Increased opportunities for visibility for METRO contracting
  • Certification is available at no cost and valid for three (3) years
  • Quick processing of certifications in 30 days
  • Free business development training
  • Certification accepted by Port Houston, Houston Community College, Fort Bend ISD and Houston First
  • Five-day Prompt Payment Policy in effect for contracts with small business goals
  • SBE reciprocity for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certified firms
  • Eligibility to participate in METRO training, events and networking opportunities
  • Fast track certification with Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Houston Minority Supplier Development Council (HMSDC)

View the program for more information.

Register online as a vendor with METRO. 

Click or tap the Learn More button below for information about the application process for becoming certified and how to contact us for assistance.

Learn More

As required by Section 49 Code of Federal Regulations Part 26, the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County has determined a proposed overall goal of 16% for the participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) in its FY23-FY25 contracts which are funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The City of Houston Office of Business Opportunity is the DBE certifying entity for Houston, Texas.

View the program for more information.

Access the directory of DBE certified firms in Texas.

Access the list of DBE Financial Institutions.

Register online as a vendor with METRO. 

METRO's Disability Owned Business Enterprise (DOBE) Program was created to help ensure disability owned firms have equal access to opportunities in procurement and contracting at METRO.

To be classified as a certified Disability Owned Business, your business should meet the following qualifications:

Is at least 51% owned, operated, managed and controlled by individuals with a disability (as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act)

  1. Is at least 51% owned, operated, managed and controlled by either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
  2. Exercises independence from any other business enterprise
  3. Has its principal place of business (headquarters) in the United States
  4. Has been formed as a legal entity in the United States

METRO recognizes certifications from external certifying entities. METRO will not perform certifications.

For more information, view the program or email us at DOBE@ridemetro.org.

Register online as a vendor with METRO. 

METRO's Veteran Owned Business Enterprise (VOBE) Program was created to help ensure veteran owned firms have equal access to opportunities in procurement and contracting at METRO.

To be classified as a certified Veteran Owned Business, your business should meet the following qualifications: 

  1. Is a sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by an individual who served in the United States active military, naval, or air service; who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable; and who has at least 51% ownership in applicant firm
  2. Is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
  3. Exercises independence from any other business enterprise
  4. Has its principal place of business (headquarters) in the United States
  5. Has been formed as a legal entity in the United States


METRO recognizes certifications from external certifying entities. METRO will not perform certifications.

For more information, view the program or email us at VOBE@ridemetro.org.

Register online as a vendor with METRO. 

METRO Contract Compliance System

Apply for certification, access vendor accounts and search the database of certified vendors.

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Open Procurements

METRO is committed to providing equal opportunity and fairness in all its procurements. Due to our transition from the Bonfire to the SAP Ariba platform, there are two tables below containing current opportunities that are open for solicitation.


Bonfire Open Solicitations

To participate in any METRO solicitations, you must first register as a METRO vendor. If you haven't already done so, please register here.

Solicitation Number Title Close Date
4024000195 Inspection, Repair, and Preventative Maintenance Services on Uninterruptible Power Systems (UPS) and Battery Systems at METRO Facilities Sept. 18, 2024 2 PM
4024000191 Polk Bus Operating Facility (BOF) Administration Interior Reconstruction Sept. 18, 2024 2 PM
4024000187 Polycarbonate Panels Sept. 18, 2024 2 PM
4024000170 Review, Audit & EDI Processing of Workers' Compensation Medical Bills Sept. 18, 2024 2 PM
4024000200 54 Scott Operator Restroom Sept. 18, 2024 2 PM
4024000183 Video Monitoring System Sept. 25, 2024 2 PM
4024000201 Continuous Daily Cleaning Service at Metro’s: Northwest Transit Center (NWTC) Ride Store, Northwest Transit Center (NWTC), Downtown Transit Center (DTTC) and Magnolia Transit Center Comfort Station Oct. 2, 2024 2 PM
Doc1261103696 Cleaning and Disinfecting Services for LRVs at Fannin South Station, Northline Station, and Hobby Center Oct. 2, 2024 2 PM
4024000085 Light Rail Vehicle (LRV) Portable Lift Equipment Oct. 23, 2024 2 PM
4024000171 Purchase and Delivery of CAF (H3) Light Rail Vehicle Parts Nov. 20, 2024 2 PM
RFQs under $50k Past Solicitations

 

 

SAP Ariba Open Solicitations

To participate in any METRO solicitations, you must first register as a METRO vendor. If you haven't already done so, please register here.

No results found.

RFQs under $50k Past Solicitations
Photo of a METRO bus at a local bus stop in downtown Houston.

Sole Source Awards

On occasion, METRO may award a Sole Source contract.

View Awards

Anticipated Procurements

Each tab below contains information based on estimates, assumptions and other data, which are subject to change. Any proposed project/service may vary materially and/or be removed from the final list. This is provided for planning, contracting and teaming purposes only.


Project NameProcurement MethodSmall Business GoalAdvertisement MonthProject Description
Fallbrook Bus Operating Facility Replacement ChillersIFB35%JulyTBD
Canopy Glass Replacement IFBN/AJulyTBD
Polk Bus Operating Facility (BOF) Administrator Interior ReconstructionIFB35%JulyTBD
Courier ServicesIFB35%JulyTBD

The items listed above include Board-approved and non-Board-approved projects.

Procurement Method Definitions
RFP – Request for Proposal    
RFTP – Request for Technical Proposal    
RFQ – Request for Qualifications    
IFB – Invitations for Bid    
CSP – Competitive Sealed Proposal    
IDIQ – Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity
Projects Procurement Method*
ACI RefreshDIR
ADA/EEP/ER – Case Management SoftwareRFP
BOF Network Room Cleanup/RehabDIR
Bus and LRV SimulatorsRFP
Bus Operating Facility IT RehabDIR
Cybersecurity System EnhancementDIR
Facility Tools & Off-Road Equipment Purchase
IFB
Google Search ServicesRFP
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus PurchaseIFB
Load Balancers DIR
Network Switch RefreshDIR
Office 365 IntranetDIR
Storage Upgrades DIR
TAM BarcodingDIR
Truck Brake Shoe KitIFB
Westheimer 82 BOOST – Package 2 Civil InfrastructureTBD

Procurement Method Definitions
RFP – Request for Proposal    
RFQ – Request for Qualifications    
IFB – Invitations for Bid    
CSP – Competitive Sealed Proposal    
IDIQ – Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity
Projects Procurement Method*
Access Control UpgradeDIR
CAD/AVL Replace for Paratransit and Micro TransitDIR
Continuous Daily Cleaning Magnolia TC, NWTC, DTTCIFB
DTTC & TMC Annual Canopy CleaningIFB
HVAC and Plumbing Repairs 1900 MainIFB
Leadership Development ProgramRFP
METROLift Eligibility Assessment ContractRFP
MSP Transportation ServiceRFP
Oil Water SeparatorRFP
Stop Loss InsuranceRFP

Procurement Method Definitions
RFP – Request for Proposal    
RFQ – Request for Qualifications    
IFB – Invitations for Bid    
CSP – Competitive Sealed Proposal    
IDIQ – Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity
Projects Procurement Method*
1900 Main Elevators & EscalatorsBuyBoard
Bus Operating Facility – Final DesignRFQ
Bus Stops/Bike StationsRFP
Emergency Operations Center & Parking Structure ConstructionTBD
Gulfton BRT – Final DesignRFQ
HVAC Contract Ops & Support FacilitiesIFB
Johnson Control Chiller InspectionsBuyBoard
UPS – Preventive Maintenance IFB
Uptown TC & Grand PKWY Elevators & Escalators BuyBoard

Procurement Method Definitions
RFP – Request for Proposal    
RFQ – Request for Qualifications    
IFB – Invitations for Bid    
CSP – Competitive Sealed Proposal    
IDIQ – Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity
Projects Procurement Method*
Class 1 & Class 2 Waste RemovalIFB
Ops & Support Facilities ElevatorsIFB
Public Facilities ElevatorsIFB

Procurement Method Definitions
RFP – Request for Proposal    
RFQ – Request for Qualifications    
IFB – Invitations for Bid    
CSP – Competitive Sealed Proposal    
IDIQ – Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity

In the table below, all letting dates, estimated project values and the SBE% (Small Business Enterprise percentage) are anticipated and subject to change. The table is sorted by Advertising Date, with the most current date listed first.


Project DescriptionAdvertising DateEstimated Project ValueSBE%
Westheimer 82 Boost - Package 2 - Civil InfrastructureQ4 2024$15-20 million35%
Underground Storage Tank Replacement at METRO Kashmere FacilityQ4 2024$6-8 million25%
Underground Storage Tank Replacement at METRO Polk Facility Q4 2024 $6-8 million 25%
Underground Storage Tank Replacement at METRO West FacilityQ1 2025$10-12 million25%
Underground Storage Tank Replacement at METRO Fallbrook FacilityQ1 2025$8-9 million25%
Emergency Operations Center & Parking Structure2025$50-55 million35%
Inner Katy Bus Rapid Transit - Civil2025$200-250 million35%
Gulfton BRT2026$200-250 million35%


For longer-term planning purposes, METRO may provide an Advance Procurement Notice (APN) about upcoming projects. The information contained in an APN is based on preliminary estimates, assumptions and other data, which are subject to change. The data is provided for planning, contracting and teaming purposes only. Official solicitations are listed in the Open Procurements section above.


CMAR Template - Draft >

Procurement Vendor Login

Register online as a vendor with METRO.

Resource Center

The resource center provides access to additional procurement and program information, as shown below.

 

Business University icon

Business University

View the METRO Business University event and training calendar.

Program Documents icon

Program Documents

See support documents, presentations, METRO Disparity Study and more.

Video Training icon

Video Training

Access recordings covering SAP Ariba portal registration, navigation and more.

Past Procurements icon

Past Procurements

See METRO past contract awards and bid tabulations.

Procurement Statistics icon

Procurement Statistics

Examine historical procurement data and statistics.

Learn More
Procurement Manual icon

Procurement Manual

Access guidelines for procurement of goods, services and disposal of property.

View Manual

Common Questions

Bonfire to SAP Ariba Transition

METRO will be active on the SAP Ariba on August 27, 2024 (updated from June 3, 2024). Suppliers will be notified when they can register in the August timeframe.

Yes, METRO recorded a vendor summit event and has this recording along with other training videos on the procurement webpage under the Resource Center area.

Yes, solicitations will continue to appear on Bonfire until the transition is completed.

SAP Business Network Account Access

METRO will distribute email invitations to suppliers to begin the registration process in August 2024.

No, registration is free.

Yes, you will be able to use your existing SAP Business Network account login. One SAP Business Network account can support many relationships with other network accounts.

Small Business Certification

The primary criteria for METRO Small Business Enterprise (SBE) certification are company size and net worth of the owner(s). The size limits are determined by the Small Business Administration (SBA) standards and the maximum net worth of each owner(s) is $2.047M.

METRO offers a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Certification for eligible firms. Access the list of SBE certified firms.

METRO also accepts Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certifications from any DBE certifying agency and the 8(a) certification from the Small Business Administration. Learn more about the Texas Unified Certification Program (TUCP) and see the list of DBE certifying agencies in Texas.

METRO Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Certification is free of charge.

Technical Assistance

Detailed instructions for responding to a solicitation are included in the solicitation document(s). To facilitate the process, METRO recommends the following:

  1. Register as a vendor for automatic e-mail notifications of new solicitations and updates that are aligned with your company’s services.
  2. Check the METRO website for upcoming procurement opportunities.
  3. Attend the METRO pre-bid / pre-proposal conferences.

For additional procurement information, email us at procurement@ridemetro.org.

The METRO SBE Business Assessment collects critical information to help craft the best recommendation on how your firm can effectively compete in the procurement process. This assessment is done via one-on-one sessions and the utilization of the METRO Online SBE Business Assessment Tool.

Yes. Through our business networking forums, you can get tips on doing business with METRO and connecting with decision-makers.

See More Questions

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