Procurement

Vision

To be the preferred and most trusted resource for the purchase of the highest quality products and services that delivers value to our customers earning their respect and loyalty. To be admired by our stakeholders, customers, suppliers, local communities and our employees - not only for the goals we achieve but how we achieve them. A commitment and dedication to a forward thinking approach which encompasses innovation and sustainability through environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

Mission

To support and enable PSTA Mission to provide safe, convenient, accessible and affordable public transportation services for Pinellas County residents and visitors, and supports economic vitality, thriving communities, and an enhanced quality of life by procuring the highest quality products and services at the most cost competitive prices and in the most efficient manner.

A Guide for Contractors and Suppliers

• The first step in becoming a potential PSTA vendor is to submit a completed Vendor Application.
• Complete the application in its entirety. Be sure to indicate the group class code for the product or service you provide. You are encouraged to send brochures, line cards, etc., along with your completed application. Incomplete vendor applications will not be processed.
• If your firm is not already certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), please contact the FDOT for information on becoming certified.
• Please note that in-person sales calls are accepted by appointment only.
• Watch for advertised business opportunities; bids and projects are advertised in the Tampa Tribune and or the St. Pete Times.
• PSTA falls under the jurisdiction of Florida Governor Rick Scott’s Executive Order 11-02 which requires us to verify the employment status of all employees and contractors’ employees. PSTA vendors will be required to abide by these new requirements. These requirements can be found in Executive Order 11-02.
• PSTA follows the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) guidelines for grant funded procurements, as a courtesy we have provided to vendors clauses for grant purchases under $25,000.00 to be reviewed, as we encourage vendors to become familiar with the procurement process when doing business with PSTA. Requirements for FTA Grant Clauses for Purchases under $25,000.

Purchase Orders and Contracts 

All purchases, with the exception of certain recurring obligations, are contracted by a PSTA purchase order. Contracts are awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. This means that while competitive price is a critical factor, PSTA will also determine if the lowest bidder can responsibly fulfill the contract. Delivery, performance, quality, service, and ability to meet bid specifications are all important considerations in evaluating a bidder's level of responsiveness.

The PSTA Board of Directors must approve all contracts over $100,000.

Code of Ethics

Policy of the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority states that no officer or employee of this agency shall have any interest, financial or otherwise, direct or indirect; engage in any business transaction or professional activity; or incur any obligation of any nature which is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of his duties in the public interest.

In addition, no employee, officer, or agent of PSTA shall either solicit or accept gratuities, favors or anything of monetary value from contractors, potential contractors, or parties to any subagreement.

Lobbying

Lobbying of any PSTA board member, officer, evaluation committee member, employee, agent or attorney by a bidder, any member of the bidder’s staff, any agent or representative of the bidder, whether compensated or not, or any person employed by any legal entity affiliated with or representing the bidder shall be prohibited on all competitive selection processes and contract awards, including but not limited to requests for proposals, requests for quotations, requests for qualification, invitation for bids, bids or the award of purchasing contracts of any type. Lobbying is strictly prohibited from the date of the advertisement or on a date otherwise established by the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority Board of Directors, until either an award is final, any protest is finally resolved, or the competitive selection process is otherwise concluded. The purposes of this prohibition is to protect the integrity of the procurement process by shielding it from undue influences prior to the contract award, a protest is resolved, or the competitive selection process is otherwise concluded. Nothing herein shall prohibit a bidder from contacting the purchasing division or PSTA’s general counsel to address situations such as clarification and/or questions related to the procurement process or protest. The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority Board of Directors, when the award of the bid is within the Board of Directors’ authority, shall deem any bidder who violates the provisions of this Paragraph non-responsible and non-responsive, and the bidder’s proposal or bid shall not be considered by the evaluation committee or the Board of Directors. When an award of bid is within the Executive Director’s authority, the Executive Director shall deem any bidder who violates the provisions of this Paragraph non-responsible and non-responsive and the bidder’s proposal or bid shall not be considered by the Executive Director.

For the purposes of this Paragraph, lobbying shall mean influencing or attempting to influence action or non-action, and/or attempting to obtain the goodwill of persons specified herein relating to the selection, ranking, or contract award in connection with the bidding process through direct or indirect oral or written communication. Lobbying includes such actions whether performed by the bidder itself, any employee of the bidder, the bidder’s attorney, agent or other paid or non-paid representative, or any person who performs such actions on behalf or at the behest of the bidder. Further, lobbying includes the attempt to influence Board members while they are performing their functions for other governmental entities (e.g. a city or Pinellas County). The final award of the contract shall be the effective date of the contract.

Any board member, officer, evaluation committee member, employee, agent or attorney who has been lobbied shall immediately report the lobbying activity to the Executive Director.

Contact Info

Hours of Operation
PSTA's Purchasing Division is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Phone: 727-540-1800
Fax: 727-540-0681
Email: website-bids@psta.net
Address: 3201 Scherer Drive
St. Petersburg, FL 33716
View Map