Manatee County Government
Doing Business with Manatee County
This information is provided as an overview of how solicitations for goods or services are undertaken by Manatee County.
This section is intended only as a general guide. If you require further assistance, please contact our office at:
Manatee County Purchasing
1112 Manatee Avenue West
Suite #803
Bradenton, FL 34205
Telephone: (941) 749-3014
Fax: (941) 749-3034
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Local governmental entities such as the School Board of Manatee County and constitutional offices have independent purchasing laws, policies and procedures. These entities may exercise their authority to make purchases using contracts established by Manatee County Government.
Purchasing Procedures
Specific requirements and procedures have been established in the form of law, Board policy, and administrative procedures which govern the purchase of all goods and services required and used by Manatee County. The Purchasing Manual is available for review or reference by clicking the link on the bottom of this page.
Methods of procurement
The process of procurement is initiated by a request from an agency of Manatee County for a specific commodity and/or service.
Competitive Solicitations
| Dollar value | Requirements | Approval |
| $1 - $5,000 | Notation of three quotations or price sources for purchases up to $5,000 | Department Director with Buyer review |
| $5,000 to $25,000 | Three written price quotations by informal competitive solicitation | Source selection approved by Purchasing Manager |
| $25,000 to $250,000 | Three written price quotations (informal process) | Source selection approved by Purchasing Manager |
| $250,000 to $1,000,000 | Bids or Proposals (formal process) | Purchasing Manager |
| over $1,000,000 | Bids or Proposals (formal process) | Board of County Commissioners |
Bids and Proposals on http://www.mymanatee.org
Bid or Proposal documents and Notices of Source Selections related to those Bids or Proposals are available on this web page for download in a portable document format (.PDF) file. You may view and print these files using Adobe Acrobat software. You may download a free copy of this software (Adobe) from the County's Web page if you do not have it.
Manatee County collaborates with the Manatee Chamber of Commerce on distributing solicitations using the Local Quotes 4U web page on the Chamber's web site, http://www.Manateechamber.com. This step is in addition to the posting on Manatee County Government Web pages.
Manatee County may also use an internet service provider to distribute Bids and Proposals. A link to that service, http://www.DemandStar.com, is provided on this Web site under the tab "DemandStar". Participation in the DemandStar.com system is not a requirement for doing business with Manatee County.
Note: The County posts the Notice of Source Selection seven calendar days prior to the award.
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program
The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners has adopted policies which assure and encourage the full participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) in the provision of goods and services. The County encourages joint ventures between majority-owned firms and qualified disadvantaged/minority/women-owned firms.
ePAYABLES
The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners, in cooperation with the Clerk of the Circuit Court is pleased to announce payments to vendors via credit cards (ePayables). This process will benefit vendors and the County by reducing paper (checks), providing faster payment turn around times and reducing trips to the bank.
HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?
Manatee County will issue a unique credit card number to each vendor. The card has a zero balance until payments have been authorized.
After goods are delivered or services rendered vendors submit invoices to the Remit To address on the Purchase Order according to the current process. When payments are authorized, an e-mail notification is sent to an e-mail address provided by the vendor. The e-mail notification includes the invoice(s) number(s), invoice date, and amount of payment. Once the vendor receives the e-mail, the credit card has been authorized to be charged for the amount listed in the e-mail. When the vendor charges the full amount authorized in the e-mail, the card will return to a zero balance until the next payment is authorized.
IS THERE A COST TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM?
Manatee County does not charge vendors to participate in the program; however, there may be a charge by the company that processes your credit card transactions.
To participate, please contact Lori Bryan, Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court, at (941) 741.4015, e-mail: lori.bryan@manateeclerk.com, and request to be enrolled in the ePayables payment program. In addition, vendors may be contacted by a Bank of America vendor enrollment specialist (ePayable services provider) and asked to participate.
Purchasing Manual and Ordinance
The County Administrator approved these standardized procedures and rules August 10, 2009. They are intended to promote overall efficiency and economy in the procurement function of the Office. The documents may be downloaded by clicking on the links below.