It is important that potential vendors and contractors register through Metropolitan's e-procurement system, "NetConnect."  Automatic e-mail notifications of RFPs/RFQs are provided to everyone that is registered with the relevant service code as required by Metropolitan policy.

All RFP and RFQ documents will include:

• Notice of whether a pre-proposal conference will be conducted prior to submission of proposals to explain the work and submittal requirements. Attendance at a pre-proposal conference may be designated as mandatory in order to submit a proposal or statement of qualifications.
• Evaluation factors by which submittals will be reviewed and scored.
• Due date and time. In accordance with Metropolitan procedure, submittals received after the set time and due date will be automatically rejected by the NetConnect system.
• Other submittal stipulations in accordance with Metropolitan's procurement policies.

Once an RFP/RFQ is submitted, discussions may be conducted by Metropolitan with responsible offerors to ensure full understanding of the solicitation requirements. 

Offerors are accorded fair and equal treatment with respect to any opportunity for discussion and revision of responsive and responsible submittals. Such post-submittal revisions may be permitted prior to award for the purpose of obtaining best and final proposals or statements of qualifications.

In conducting discussions, there shall be no disclosure of any information derived from proposals or statements of qualifications submitted by competing offerors. 

If, after discussion with offerors, a request for best and final submittals is issued, the request will set forth the date, time, and place for the submission of best and final submittals. Best and final submittals are requested only once, unless there is a written determination that it is advantageous to Metropolitan to conduct further discussions. If offerors do not submit a notice of withdrawal or a best and final submittal, their immediate previous submittal is construed as their best and final submittal. Other factors will not be considered. 

Contracts are awarded to the responsive and responsible offeror whose submittal is determined to be the most advantageous to Metropolitan in accordance with Metropolitan's evaluation procedures. At its sole discretion, Metropolitan may reject any or all proposals or statements of qualifications if it is in the public interest.