The Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) welcomes the opportunity to
do business with interested vendors. KUA is a municipal electric utility under
the direction of a five-member Board of Directors. Its service area covers the
city of Kissimmee and some incorporated areas, totaling 85 square miles. KUA is
the 6th largest municipally-owned electric utility in Florida, serving
approximately 62,000 customers.
Bidders Mailing List
The Kissimmee Utility Authority has contracted with Onvia Demand Star for
the maintenance of an automated vendor list. This list categorizes each vendor
by commodity codes for the specific goods or services offered by the vendor.
Businesses who have subscribed to the vendor list are notified by fax or e-mail
whenever a formal sealed bid has been issued for the commodity or service
offered by the vendor. To have your firm placed on the vendor list,
contact Onvia for details on their subscription fees (1-800-711-1712). The
application asks for general information about your firm and lists the
commodities and services the firm wishes to sell to the Authority. If you are
currently registered as a vendor in Osceola County through Onvia Demand Star,
then Kissimmee Utility Authority bid information will be automatically sent
with no further action required by the vendor.
Doing Business with KUA
Should you wish to meet with personnel within the Purchasing Division, you are
encouraged to set up an appointment. It is recommended that initial contact
with other KUA departments be made through the Purchasing Division. This will
ensure proper processing and save valuable time for all parties.
How KUA Buys
Rules governing purchasing and contract procedures were established
under the concept of open competitive bidding. KUA purchases in accordance with
applicable laws, statutes, and ordinances. Purchase awards are made to the
lowest responsible vendor who meets KUA's specifications and has the capacity
to deliver the product/service.
Purchases valued between $2,000 and $10,000 are made on the open
market by securing quotations via telephone contact or written quote with sales
representatives. Purchases valued over $10,000 but less than $25,000 require
competitive solicitation by at least three written informal quotations, which
can either be sent and received by first class mail or facsimile. This
requirement may be waived when such waiver is determined to be in the best
interest of KUA.
Purchases in excess of $25,000 require formal Invitation for Bids (IFBs)sent to
responsible prospective vendors. Notice of IFB is posted on a bulletin board
located in the front entrance of the KUA Administration Building at 1701 West
Carroll Street, Kissimmee, Florida. No facsimile bids will be allowed at any
time in response to a formal bid invitation. Award of bids greater than
$100,000 are approved by the Kissimmee Utility Authority's Board of Directors
which meet once a month.
What is Expected of the Vendor
New sources of supply will be given due consideration to enable KUA
to have multiple sources of supply in all commodities. All vendors shall be
afforded equal opportunity to quote and will compete on equal terms. KUA
encourages all segments of the business community to participate in its
purchasing program.
KUA expects the vendor to: deal with honesty and integrity; deliver
a high quality product/service, on time, and as ordered; teamwork,
communication; and to have the necessary facilities, equipment, materials, and
labor force to meet your obligations. We strive for high quality, low cost, and
superior service levels. We encourage vendor competition and vendor compliance
with all applicable laws.
Submitting a Bid
All formal bids must be submitted in a sealed envelope with the bid
number written or typed on the envelope. Bid proposals may be delivered
personally or by mail and must be in KUA by the date and time shown in the "
Invitation for Bid". All bid forms must be properly signed before they are
acceptable. Solicitors of KUA's business should make certain of the following:
(1.) Detailed specifications and bid documents should be thoroughly read and
all instructions and conditions met. This avoids the unpleasant experience of
having your proposal rejected on a technicality. (2.) Ensure that bids are
submitted to 1701 West Carroll Street, Finance & Risk Management
Department/Purchasing Division, Kissimmee, Florida 34741 before the closing
time. Failure to do so will result in return of the unopened proposal.
Vendors capable of supplying items and meeting specifications
should compute a quotation and complete the bid forms. Those vendors unable to
bid all items should still bid those items they can supply unless the contrary
is specified. Should the vendor be unable to supply any items, a "Statement of
No Bid" must be completed and returned to KUA for the vendor to remain on the
Bidders' List. Any mistake in a bid must be corrected before the time of the
bid opening. Bidders must present proper identification to KUA before any
change in the bid can be authorized. Once the bid opening begins, all bids must
stand as read.
Addendum
When necessary, addendum to the Invitation for Bids are sent to
every firm acquiring a copy of the bid as soon as the need for interpretation
or modification is required. Bidders not fully understanding such request
should contact the department and ask for an interpretation from the Purchasing
Division. All addenda must be noted in the applicable space provided on the bid
form.
Specification
Specifications describe the quality and quantity of goods or
services required and are determined by application as needed. Due to the
highly technical nature of some specifications, there are instances when a
brand name may be used to describe a particular product. In these instances,
and in order to avoid eliminating competition, KUA includes the term "or
approved equal" in written specifications. When bidding an "approved equal",
the burden of proof is on the vendor. Firms receiving specifications should
ensure that every detail is understood. Any alteration or deviation may be
grounds for disqualification of a bid.
Bid Deposit and Performance Bonds
In general, no bid security is required on the majority of
purchases; when deemed absolutely necessary, a bid bond may be required to
accompany bids. In such instances, information shall be made clear in the
public notice inviting bids. Bid deposits shall be returned to unsuccessful
bidders. The customary bid deposit, when required, is 5% of the amount bid and
can be submitted in the form of either bid surety, certified, or cashiers check
payable to KUA. Requirements for a performance and payment bond are dictated by
the nature and amount of the procurement. When performance and payment bonds
are required, the transaction must be handled through a surety company
authorized to do business in the state of Florida.
Insurance
Generally, any purchases specifying that a bidder perform certain
work on KUA property or provide certain professional services will also require
that the bidder obtain valid insurance certificates naming KUA as an additional
insured for that project. Types of insurance typically requested are worker's
compensation, comprehensive general liability, business automobile liability,
builder's all-risk and professional liability Insurance.
Rejection of Bids
The Kissimmee Utility Authority reserves the right to accept or
reject any or all bids, waive irregularities and technicalities, and require
rebidding. Bids are awarded to those firms which best serve the interest of KUA
as to price, suitability, and any other determining factors.
Public Disclosure
Under Florida's Public Records Act, any person has the right to
review any document which is kept by KUA in the course of its regular business.
The bid documents will remain sealed between the time of receipt and the
established time for the official bid opening. All bid openings are open to the
public. Bid tabulations, bid documents, and other purchasing records will be
made available to the public for examination. If confidential documents are
submitted along with the bid, they should be so marked with a request for their
return.
Taxes
KUA is exempt from state sales tax. A copy of the tax exempt
information will be provided upon request.
Tabulations
Bid results shall be made available after all bids have been tabulated,
analyzed, and awarded. Information on results shall be posted on KUA's web
page.
Delivery
Bidders are requested to provide a specific date for delivery of
items after receipt of order. Information on delivery time is important to the
user and could be a determining factor in the choice of vendor. Delivery of
items purchased by KUA must be in accordance with the instructions included in
the bid specifications. Items will be bid F.O.B. Kissimmee, delivered to a
specified address. Freight charges, unless otherwise specified in the purchase
order, will not be allowed. Any variation from this requirement is cause for
rejection of bid.
Ethics
KUA's Purchasing Division employees are purchasing professionals
and subscribe to and support a high level of ethical and moral conduct. KUA
policy prohibits any employee from accepting business or Christmas gifts (other
than advertising novelties) special privileges, or entertainment as a basis for
doing business. Employees must not become obligated to any supplier and shall
not participate in any KUA transaction from which they will benefit directly or
indirectly.