Procurement Opportunities

METRO is committed to integrity in all facets of the procurement process, ensuring fairness, accountability and efficiency. In addition, the Office of Economic Business Opportunity (OEBO) has several programs designed to further assist in the procurement efforts. On this page, you’ll find:

  • Business opportunity programs
  • Open and anticipated procurements
  • Vendor registration process
  • Useful links to key procurement topics

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

METRO Administration Building at 1900 Main Street in downtown Houston.

Business Opportunity Programs

The METRO 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.

Register online as a vendor with METRO. 

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.

Register online as a vendor with METRO. 

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)

  1. Is at least 51% owned, operated, managed and controlled by either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
  2. Exercises independence from any other business enterprise
  3. Has its principal place of business (headquarters) in the United States
  4. 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.

Register online as a vendor with METRO. 

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

  1. 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
  2. Is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by either a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
  3. Exercises independence from any other business enterprise
  4. Has its principal place of business (headquarters) in the United States
  5. 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.

Register online as a vendor with METRO. 

METRO Contract Compliance System

Apply for certification, access vendor accounts and search the database of certified vendors.

Open Procurements

METRO is committed to providing equal opportunity and fairness in all its procurements. Due to our transition from the Bonfire to the SAP Ariba platform, there are two tables below containing current opportunities that are open for solicitation.


Bonfire Open Solicitations

To participate in any METRO solicitations, you must first register as a METRO vendor. If you haven't already done so, please register here.

Solicitation Number Title Close Date
RFP-Doc1420379592 Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Feb. 21, 2025 2 PM
IFB-Doc1442992979 Commercial Graphic Installation Services Feb. 25, 2025 2 PM
RFP-Doc1400382064 Broadcasting Production Services Feb. 25, 2025 2 PM
IFB-Doc1423179582 Concrete and Asphalt Paving for Mobility Improvements within METRO Service Area Feb. 25, 2025 2 PM
RFP-Doc1396382938 Consulting Services for Centralized Video Management Platform Feb. 26, 2025 2 PM
CSP-Doc1427021294 TMC-TC Escalator / Elevator Construction Project Feb. 26, 2025 2 PM
IFB-Doc1417022192 West Bus Operating Facility Bus Wash System Rehabilitation Feb. 26, 2025 2 PM
IFB-Doc1417101588 Purchase and Delivery of Alternators for METRO's Bus Fleet Feb. 26, 2025 2 PM
IFB-Doc1425597690 Purchase and Delivery of Refrigerant Recovery Machines Feb. 26, 2025 2 PM
IFB-Doc1417054131 Northwest Bus Operating Facility Bus Wash Rehabilitation Feb. 26, 2025 2 PM
RFP-Doc1329386224 Electrical Utility Services March 3, 2025 2 PM
RFP-Doc1425417291 Bus Stop Cleaning Services - Sector One (1) March 5, 2025 2 PM
RFP-Doc1423134474 Bus Stop Cleaning Services - Sector Nine (9) March 5, 2025 2 PM
RFP-Doc1423134472 Bus Stop Cleaning Services - Sector Eight (8) March 5, 2025 2 PM
RFP-Doc1423134470 Bus Stop Cleaning Services - Sector Seven (7) March 5, 2025 2 PM
RFP-Doc1423134468 Bus Stop Cleaning Services - Sector Six (6) March 5, 2025 2 PM
RFP-Doc1423134466 Bus Stop Cleaning Services - Sector Five (5) March 5, 2025 2 PM
RFP-Doc1423134464 Bus Stop Cleaning Services - Sector Four (4) March 5, 2025 2 PM
RFP-Doc1423134462 Bus Stop Cleaning Services - Sector Three (3) March 5, 2025 2 PM
RFP-Doc1423134460 Bus Stop Cleaning Services - Sector Two (2) March 5, 2025 2 PM
IFB-Doc1425483852 Purchase of Motorcycles for METRO Police Department March 5, 2025 2 PM
IFB-Doc1416928894 Red Line Windscreen Steel Frame Replacement March 5, 2025 2 PM
RFP-Doc1454166493 Alternate Contractor for Bus Stops Cleaning Services on an As Needed Basis March 6, 2025 2 PM
IFB-Doc1448464768 Purchase and Delivery of Turbos and Actuators March 12, 2025 2 PM
IFB-Doc1438315971 Preventative Maintenance and Repairs on Standby Generators and Transfer Switches March 12, 2025 2 PM
IFB-Doc1438185256 METRO Bi-Monthly Deep Cleaning for Transit Centers and Park & Ride Elevators March 19, 2025 2 PM
RFP-Doc1447107870 Janitorial Services March 19, 2025 2 PM
IFB-Doc1453883872 64" Wide Latex Hybrid Flatbed Printer March 19, 2025 2 PM
Doc1455398352 Wheel Truing Machine Replacement March 20, 2025 2 PM
RFP-Doc1465657895 S4 HANA Migration March 25, 2025 2 PM
IFB-Doc1359950081 Erosion Repairs of Retaining Wall at Polk March 26, 2025 2 PM
RFP-Doc1430212213 Turnkey Operation of METRO's Northwest Bus- Operating Facility May 13, 2025 2 PM

 

 

SAP Ariba Open Solicitations

To participate in any METRO solicitations, you must first register as a METRO vendor. If you haven't already done so, please register here.

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.

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 NameProcurement MethodSmall Business GoalAdvertisement MonthProject Description
Pharmacy Benefit Management ServicesRFPN/AJanPharmacy Benefit Management Services
Vision InsuranceRFPN/AJanAdministration
METROLift Eligibility ServicesRFPN/AJanMETROLift Eligibility Services
CobraRFPN/AJanCobra
ACA 1095 Compliance & Dependent Audit ServicesRFPN/AJanACA 1095 Compliance & Dependent Audit Services
Flexible Spending AccountsRFPN/AJanFlexible Spending Accounts
Natural Disaster Emergency Debris Removal ServicesIFBN/AJanNatural Disaster Emergency Debris Removal Services
Kashmere Storage Tank ConstructionIFB25%JanKashmere Storage Tank Construction
Texas Medical Center Transit Center Opportunity Chargers ConstructionIFB35%JanTexas Medical Center Transit Center Opportunity Chargers Construction
Type 2 to Type 4 Shelter ConversionIFBN/AJanType 2 to Type 4 Shelter Conversion
Northwest BOF Automatic Transfer System and Electrical SwitchgearIFB35%JanNorthwest BOF Automatic Transfer System and Electrical Switchgear
West BOF Bus Wash System RehabilitationIFB35%JanWest BOF Bus Wash System Rehabilitation
Maintenance of Way Contaminated Soil DisposalIFBN/AJanMaintenance of Way Contaminated Soil Disposal
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)RFPN/AJanEmployee Assistance Program (EAP)
Kashmere Storage Tank ConstructionIFB35%JanKashmere Storage Tank Construction
Bus Stop Cleaning Services - Route 1IFB35%JanBus Stop Cleaning Services - Route 1
Bus Stop Cleaning Services - Route 2IFB35%JanBus Stop Cleaning Services - Route 2
Bus Stop Cleaning Services - Route 3IFB35%JanBus Stop Cleaning Services - Route 3
Bus Stop Cleaning Services - Route 4IFB35%JanBus Stop Cleaning Services - Route 4
Bus Stop Cleaning Services - Route 5IFB35%JanBus Stop Cleaning Services - Route 5
Bus Stop Cleaning Services - Route 6IFB35%JanBus Stop Cleaning Services - Route 6
Bus Stop Cleaning Services - Route 7IFB35%JanBus Stop Cleaning Services - Route 7
Bus Stop Cleaning Services - Route 8IFB35%JanBus Stop Cleaning Services - Route 8
Bus Stop Cleaning Services - Route 9IFB35%JanBus Stop Cleaning Services - Route 9
Northwest BOF Bus Wash RehabilitationIFB35%JanNorthwest BOF Bus Wash Rehabilitation
TMC TC Escalator/Elevator ConstructionCSP35%JanTMC TC Escalator/Elevator Construction
Purchase and Delivery of RefrigerantIFBN/AJanPurchase and Delivery of Refrigerant
Purchase and Delivery of Alternative for METRO's Bus FleetIFBN/AJanPurchase and Delivery of Alternative for METRO's Bus Fleet
Red Line Windscreen Steel Frame ReplacementIFB35%JanRed Line Windscreen Steel Frame Replacement
Broadcasting Production ServicesRFPN/AJanBroadcasting Production Services
Consulting Services for Centralized Video ManagementRFPN/AJanConsulting Services for Centralized Video Management

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*
Affordable Care Act – 1095 ManagementRFP
Alternators for Bus FleetIFB
Backup Emergency FuelIFB
BOOST 54 Segment 4 – Sidewalk/Bus PadsTBD
BOOST 82 Westheimer – Sidewalk/Bus PadsTBD
Bus Operating Facility IT RehabDIR
Bus Stops / Bike StationsRFP
Case Management SystemRFP
Cleaning, Sweeping & Sanitizing TC and  P&RRFP
COBRA Administration ServicesRFP
Cybersecurity – Privileged Access Management SolutionDIR
Elevator & Escalator ServicesCSP
Facility Tools & Off-Road Equipment PurchaseIFB
Flexible Spending AccountsRFP
Google Search ServicesRFP
Gulfton BRT – Final DesignRFQ
HVAC and Plumbing Repairs 1900 MainIFB
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus PurchaseIFB
Leadership Development ProgramRFP
Mobile Application Usability EnhancementsDIR
METROLift Eligibility Assessment ContractRFP
Montrose Road Work – W. Clay to WestheimerCSP
MOW – Road and Signal Project (Keene/Brooks St)TBD
Natural Disaster Emergency Debris Removal ServicesRFP
Northwest BOF Turnkey ContractRFP
Office 365 IntranetDIR
S / 4HANA MigrationRFP
Stormwater Oil Water Separator CleaningIFB
TMC Ped Bridge Repair / Escalator / Elevator / Elec. Bus ChargingTBD
Underground Storage Tank Replacement – Kashmere FacilityIFB
Vision ContractRFP
Westheimer 82 BOOST – Package 2 Civil InfrastructureIFB

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*
EEO ReportsRFQ
Underground Storage Tank Replacement – Polk FacilityIFB

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*
Uniform ContractBuyBoard
  

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*
Underground Storage Tank Replacement – Fallbrook FacilityIFB
Underground Storage Tank Replacement – West FacilityIFB

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 DescriptionAdvertising DateEstimated Project ValueSBE%
TMC (Medical Center) PED Bridge Repair / Escalator / Elevator / Elec. Bus ChargingQ1 2025$12-15 million35%
BOOST 54 Segment 4 And Westheimer BOOST 82 Segment 2 - Sidewalk / Bus PadsQ1 2025$10-15 million25%
MOW - Road And Signal Project (Keene / Brooks St)Q1 2025$1-2 million 25%
Montrose Road Work - W. Clay To WestheimerQ1 2025$6-10 million25%
Underground Storage Tank Replacement At METRO Kashmere FacilityQ1 2025$6-8 million25%
Underground Storage Tank Replacement At METRO Polk FacilityQ2 2025$6-8 million25%
Underground Storage Tank Replacement At METRO West FacilityQ4 2025$10-12 million25%
Underground Storage Tank Replacement At METRO Fallbrook FacilityQ4 2025$8-9 million25%
Emergency Operations Center & Parking Structure2025$50-55 million35%
Inner Katy Bus Rapid Transit - Civil (CBD Bypass)2026$140-170 million35%
Gulfton BRT- Civil2026$200-250 million35%


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.


METRO BOOST 56 Segment 1A Montrose from Allen Pkwy to White Oak - 60% Plan Set >

METRO BOOST 56 Segment 1C Montrose from Westheimer to W Clay - 60% Plan Set >

METRO BOOST 56 Segment 1D Montrose from Westheimer to MECOM - 60% Plan Set >

CMAR Template - Draft >

Register online as a vendor with METRO.

Resource Center

The resource center provides access to additional procurement and program information, as shown below.

 

Business University icon

Business University

View the METRO Business University event and training calendar.

Program Documents icon

Program Documents

See support documents, presentations, METRO Disparity Study and more.

Video Training icon

Video Training

Access recordings covering SAP Ariba portal registration, navigation and more.

Past Procurements icon

Past Procurements

See METRO past contract awards and bid tabulations.

Procurement Statistics icon

Procurement Statistics

Examine historical procurement data and statistics.

Procurement Manual icon

Procurement Manual

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

Common Questions

Bonfire to SAP Ariba Transition

METRO transitioned to SAP Ariba on August 27, 2024.

Yes, METRO recorded a vendor summit event and has this recording along with other training videos on the procurement webpage under the Resource Center area.

Solicitations will primarily come through SAP Ariba with occasional use of Bonfire on an as needed basis.

SAP Business Network Account Access

No, registration is free.

Yes, you will be able to use your existing SAP Business Network account login. One SAP Business Network account can support many relationships with other network accounts.

Any technical issues can be sent by email to Procurement@RideMETRO.org.

Small Business Certification

The primary criteria for METRO Small Business Enterprise (SBE) certification are company size and net worth of the owner(s). The size limits are determined by the Small Business Administration (SBA) standards and the maximum net worth of each owner(s) is $2.047M.

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 (SBE) Certification is free of charge.

Technical Assistance

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

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

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

The METRO 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 the METRO 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.

See More Questions

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