Procurement
Our Organization
Our Mission
Purchasing Policy
Who Purchases for the Authority
Staff Directory
Written Correspondence
How Offers are Solicited
Potential Areas of Business
Current Legal Notices
Our Organization Return to Top
The S.C. State Ports Authority's Procurement Department is the central buying authority responsible for the procurement of supplies and services. Construction projects are customarily managed by the Authority's Engineering Department with Procurement oversight. The Procurement Department is responsible for ensuring that Request for Proposals (RFPs), Request for Quotations (RFQs), and Invitations for Bids (IFBs) are in accordance with Procurement Policies and Procedures, and applicable laws and regulations. Additionally, the Procurement Department is responsible for issuing all Purchase Orders and vendor contracts.
Our Mission Return to Top
The Procurement Department's mission is to provide the goods and services the Authority needs, at the appropriate time and place, in sufficient quality and quantity, at an acceptable price.
Purchasing Policy Return to Top
Purchasing for the Authority is guided by several established policies. These policies are:
- To conduct all purchasing in accordance with established Authority Procurement Policies and Procedures.
- To obtain the right quantity and quality of product or service at the right price, and time when needed.
- To maximize competition, and provide all interested and qualified vendors with the opportunity to offer their products and services to the Authority.
- To treat all vendors fairly, ensuring that there is open and fair competition with the business being awarded to the most qualified vendor in the best interest of the Authority.
- Maintain the highest ethical standards in all transactions.
Who Purchases for the Authority Return to Top
The S.C. State Ports Authority has a centralized purchasing function. The Procurement Department is the only Department authorized to issue purchase orders committing the Authority's funds. Vendors shall not make sales to Authority's employees without a purchase order approved by the Procurement Department.
The Procurement Office is located at 176 Concord Street, Charleston, SC 29401. The hours of operations are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Vendors are encouraged to call for an appointment.
Staff Directory Return to Top
The following is a list of the Procurement Department's personnel who may assist you.
T. Connor, Manager of Procurement: (843) 577-8181
A.F. Brackett, Senior Buyer: (843) 577-8623
J.R. Ahlstrom, Buyer: (843) 577-8629
L.J. Markert, Buyer: (843) 577-8177
Written Correspondence Return to Top
Direct all correspondence to:
S.C. State Ports Authority
Procurement Department
P.O. Box 22287
Charleston, SC 29413-2287
How Offers are Solicited Return to Top
Bids and proposals are solicited through two different competitive procedures. A formal procedure is used when the value of the purchase is estimated to be $100,000.00 or greater. An informal procedure is used when the estimated value of the purchase is less than $100,000.00.
Offers on formal procedures will be solicited by an RFQ, IFB, or RFP, and may be advertised in The South Carolina Business Opportunity, Association of General Contractors, the Authority's web site, and in The Post and Courier newspaper. Adequate notice of the Invitation for Bids shall be given for the opening of bids. The advertisement will state the date offers are due, where bid or proposal forms may be obtained, and the time and place bids will be opened. In addition, solicitation documents will be mailed to vendors on the Vendor List for the item sought, if applicable. The formal solicitation process from issuance to opening generally takes two weeks. After bids or proposals are opened, the evaluation process may take up to thirty (30) days before an award is made.
Competitive offers on informal purchases less than ($100,000), will be solicited by mail, fax, or telephone from a minimum of three (3) vendors on the open market for the item sought and/or the approved Vendors List. Informal purchases do not require newspaper advertising. Generally, the informal bid process from solicitation to the opening of offers takes from one (1) day to seven (7) days. The evaluation and award process may take up to three (3) additional days.
Potential Areas of Business Return to Top
- Advertising, Promotional Products
- Architectural Design
- Auto Washing and Detailing
- Bottled Water Services
- Carpet Cleaners
- Coffee Services
- Caterers
- Courier Services
- Concrete Contractors
- Container Handling Equip. Supplier
- Debris Services
- Demolition
- Electrical Contractors
- Florists
- Fences
- General Contractors
- Heating & Air Services Grading
- Grounds Maintenance
- Janitorial Service
- Landscaping
- Marine Contractors
- Paving
- Plant Leasing
- Painters
- Pest Control Service
- Roofing
- Renovations/Remodeling
- Site Work
- Surveying
- Sandblasting
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