Procurement Opportunities

Business Opportunity Programs

METRO’s 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.

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.

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)

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

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:

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

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. The table below contains current opportunities that are open for solicitation.

Solicitation Number	Title	Due Date
4023000201	Purchase and Delivery of Engines for METRO's Transit Vehicles	Sept. 27, 2023 2 PM
4023000202	Pre-Authorization Workers' Compensation Medical Services	Sept. 27, 2023 2 PM
4023000204	Purchase and Delivery of Automatic Transmission Fluid for METRO's Transit Vehicles	Sept. 27, 2023 2 PM
4023000175	Joint Development / Transit-Oriented Development (JD/TOD) At the Addicks Park & Ride	Oct. 2, 2023 2 PM
4023000186	Facilities Maintenance Specialized Training	Oct. 4, 2023 2 PM
4023000203	Vinyl Wrap and Removal of Twelve METRO H1 S70 Rail Cars	Oct. 4, 2023 2 PM
4023000104	Light Rail Vehicle Rehabilitation for Floors and Rooftops	Oct. 11, 2023 2 PM
4023000141	Rehabilitation of Electrical Generator and Automatic Transfer Switch at METRO West BOF	Oct. 11, 2023 2 PM
4023000205	Alternative Van Cleaning Services at METRO's Hiram Clarke Bus Operating Facility	Oct. 11, 2023 2 PM
4023000236	Purchase and Delivery of Wire-Diesel Locomotive Cable 535 for METRO MOW	Oct. 11, 2023 2 PM
4023000200	Repair and Service of Submersible and Above Ground Lift Pumps	Oct. 18, 2023 2 PM
4023000212	1900 Main METRO Headquarters Space Management Assessment	Oct. 18, 2023 2 PM
4023000220	General Planning Consultant Services (GPC)	Oct. 20, 2023 2 PM
4023000226	Pre-Employment Physical Examination Services	Oct. 24, 2023 2 PM
4023000221	Amegy Parking Garage Demolition	Oct. 25, 2023 2 PM

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 Name	Procurement Method	Small Business Goal	Advertisement Month	Project Description
Fuel Transport Services (Gasoline & Diesel)	IFB	5%	July	Fuel Transport Services (Gasoline & Diesel)
SAP Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Support	RFP	TBD	July	SAP Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Support
SAP Warranty Management Implementation	RFP	TBD	July	SAP Warranty Management Implementation
Stop Loss Medical Insurance	RFP	TBD	July	Stop Loss Medical Insurance
Support Services for Cognos TM1	IFB	N/A	July	Support Services for Cognos TM1
56 Airline / Montrose BOOST (Segments 2 & 3 Unfinished)	IFB	35%	July	Unfinished Work for Segments 2 & 3
BOOST 82 Westheimer Sections 1 & 3	CSP	35%	July	BOOST 82 Westheimer Sections 1 & 3
METRORapid University ULBRT	RFQ	35%	July	METRORapid University Line Bus Rapid Transit (ULBRT) Project (Segment 1A, 1B, 2, 3, 4, 5A and 5B)
Joint Development / Transit-Oriented Development at the Addicks Park & Ride	RFP	N/A	July	Joint Development / Transit Oriented Development at the Addicks Park & Ride
Emergency Spill Response	RFP	N/A	July	Emergency Spill Response
Safety Support Consulting Services	RFP	35%	July	Safety Support Consulting Services
Financial Audit Services	RFQ	35%	August	Financial Audit Services
Polk BOF Storage Tank Construction	IFB	25%	August	Construction of Storage Tank at Polk BOF
Facilities Maintenance Specialized Training	IFB	35%	August	Training
Northwest Transit Center Landscape Maintenance Rehab	IFB	35%	August	Landscape Maintenance Rehab
Purchase and Delivery of Engines for METRO's Transit Vehicles	IFB	N/A	August	Purchase and Delivery of Engines for METRO's Transit Vehicles
Purchase of Contractors for H3 Propulsion Overhaul	IFB	N/A	August	Purchase of Contractors for H3 Propulsion Overhaul
Purchase of Powder Coating Shelters and Amenities	IFB	N/A	August	Powder Coating Shelters
Pre-Authorization Workers' Compensation Medical Services	RFQ	N/A	August	Pre-Authorization Workers' Compensation Medical Services

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 Refresh	DIR
Automotive Battery (AGM)	IFB
Buffalo Bayou North Canal Channel	RFQ
Bus Operating Facility IT Rehab	DIR
Central Stores Fire Alarm Sprinkler Upgrade	IFB
Commuter Diesel Bus Purchase	IFB
Dellner Coupler	IFB
Electric Bus Civil Infrastructure at TMC Transit Center	IFB
Emergency Operations Center (EOC)	RFQ
Facility Tools & Off-Road Equipment Purchase	IFB
Gulfton BRT – Final Design	RFQ
H1 METRORail Train Wrap Installation and Removal	IFB
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus Purchase	IFB
Leadership Development Program	RFP
LinkedIn	Sole Source
LMS – Course Content	RFP
Load Balancers	DIR
MPD CAD RMS System	RFP
Northline Transit Center Parking Structure	TBD
Pantograph	IFB
Para-Transit Van Purchase	IFB
Pre-Employment Physicals	RFP
SEPSA Parts	IFB
Server Refresh	DIR
Stop Loss Insurance	RFP
Storage Upgrades	DIR
Teri Wipes, Paper Towels	IFB
Truck Brake Shoe Kit	IFB
Underground Storage Tank Replacement (Multiple Locations)	IFB OR RFP
Underground Storage Tank Upgrade	IFB
West BOF Passenger Elevator	IFB
West BOF Electrical Generator	IFB
Westheimer 82 BOOST – Package 2 – Civil Infrastructure	RFQ

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*
Bus Operating Facility (BOF)	TBD
Customer Service Training Platform	RFP
Google Search Services	RFP
Labor Agreements Printing	IFB
Maintenance of Way Facility	IFB
Project: Office 365 Intranet	DIR
Purchase of CNG Buses	IFB
Purchase of Park & Ride Buses	IFB
Purchase of Articulated Buses	IFB
Vetted Trainer Pool	RFP

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*
ADA/EEO/ER – Case Management Software	RFP
Inner Katy Bus Rapid Transit – Civil	RFQ

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*
Medical Insurance	RFP
Stop Loss Marketing	RFP

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 Description	Advertising Date	Estimated Project Value	SBE%
Northline Transit Center Parking Structure	Q3 2023	$35-45 million	35%
Underground Storage Tank Replacement at METRO Field Service Center	Q4 2023	$2.5-4 million	35%
Westheimer 82 Boost - Package 2 - Civil Infrastructure	Q4 2023	$15-20 million	35%
Underground Storage Tank Replacement at METRO Polk Facility	Q4 2023	$6-8 million	35%
Underground Storage Tank Replacement at METRO Hiram Clarke Facility	Q1 2024	$6-8 million	35%
Underground Storage Tank Replacement at METRO Kashmere Facility	Q2 2024	$6-8 million	35%
Maintenance Of Way Facility	Q4 2023	$30-40 million	35%
Bus Operating Facility	Q1 2024	$200 million	35%
Inner Katy Bus Rapid Transit - Civil	2025	$400-600 million	35%
University Corridor Bus Rapid Transit - Civil	Q1 2025	$1.5-2 billion	35%
Emergency Operations Center & Parking Structure	Q4 2024	$50-55 million	35%

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.

METRORapid University Corridor Project >

Procurement Vendor Login

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Resource Center

METRO's resource center provides access to additional procurement and program information, as shown below.

Business University

View the METRO Business University event and training calendar.

Video Training

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Program Documents

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Past Procurements

See METRO's past contract awards and bid tabulations.

Procurement Statistics

Examine historical procurement data and statistics.

Learn More

Procurement Manual

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

View Manual

Common Questions

Small Business Certification

The primary criteria for METRO’s Small Business certification are company size and net worth of the owner(s). The size limits are determined by the SBA standards and the maximum net worth of the owner(s) is $1.32M.

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 Certification is free of charge.

Oversight

During the solicitation process the following METRO SBE program requirements are in place for primes responding to solicitations with small business goals. To be deemed responsive:

All certified and non-certified primes must self-perform a minimum of 30% of the contract value, regardless of the small business participation goal percentage.
A certified or non-certified prime cannot self-perform 100% of their bid/proposal value.
All certified and non-certified primes must, at a minimum, meet the small business participation goal percentage.
All certified primes must subcontract, at a minimum, 50% of the small business participation goal to one or more certified firms.

The METRO SBE Program does not accept Good Faith Effort (GFE) response. Only the participation of METRO SBE certification and DBE certifications (which include SBA-8a) count towards the small business goal.

After the award of a contract, the prime must (but not limited to):

Adhere to all compliance requirements of METRO'S Small Business Enterprise (SBE) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) programs
Get pre-approval from the Office of Economic Business Opportunity (OEBO) prior to removing or adding certified and non-certified subcontractors to the team
Must utilize the current SBE/DBE compliance tracking and reporting system, B2Gnow
Replace the removal of a certified firm with another certified firm (determined on a case-by-case basis)
Involve OEBO in the dispute resolution process on SB-related matters
Adhere to the Prompt Payment Policy on contracts with small business goals: prime must make payments to subcontractors within five business days of receipt of funds from METRO
Receive payment from METRO within 15 days of issuance of a properly prepared invoice
Meet their Small Business Goal Commitment or risk a negative OEBO evaluation on a new solicitation

The OEBO Contract Compliance staff monitor all SBE and DBE activity on all METRO contracts with small business goals and ensures compliance with all local and federal regulations.

If you need assistance in regards to Small Business Contract Compliance, please contact Felicia Davis, OEBO Compliance Manager, at 713-739-4604 or email Felicia.Davis@ridemetro.org.

Access our compliance system to search, renew, or apply to join our database of certified vendors.

Support

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

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

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

METRO’s 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 METRO's 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.

Other

Yes. To inquire about METRO’s Fast Track SBE certification, email Keandra.Brooks@RideMETRO.org.

With the goal of maximizing opportunities with the business community, METRO is seeking to build certified small business capacity for the following types of work:

Rail construction
- Overhead Catenary Systems (OCS)
- Traction Power Substations (TPS)
- Concrete pouring for platform construction
- Laying track
- Rail ties
Bridge construction
Boring and tunneling
Major IT equipment (authorized supplier)
IT (SAP certification and modules)
Private utilities
Street sweeping (with water and vacuum option)
Sound walls
Specialized trucks (waste removal, fuel tank cleaning, etc.)
Fuel transportation
Underground fuel storage tanks
Personal property claims (non-real estate property)
Bus wrapping
Solar energy provider/installer

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Business Opportunity Programs

METRO Contract Compliance System