Doing Business With CARTA
CARTA is a public authority, which operates the public transportation system providing fixed route transit services to Hamilton County, Tennessee. Additionally, CARTA operates paratransit services for people with disabilities, a Downtown Shuttle and parking system, and the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway. To provide our services, we rely on a broad range of contractors and suppliers who work with us through the entire procurement process. The goods and services we purchase are of the utmost importance to providing safe, reliable transportation for our customers.
Goods and services purchased by CARTA range widely from paper clips to Incline cars. We encourage small businesses owned by minorities and women to pursue contracts to compete for CARTA business.
Who Buys for CARTA?
The Purchasing Agent and Grants Manager/DBE Coordinator handle the majority of purchasing for the CARTA. If anyone has any questions about CARTA’s purchasing policies, contact:
Annie Powell
Grants Manager/DBE Coordinator
CARTA
1617 Wilcox Boulevard
Chattanooga, TN 37406
Telephone 423-629-1411
Fax 423-698-2749
E-mail AnniePowell@gocarta.org
All forms, bid notices, specifications and other documents can be picked up at the above address during regular office hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday.
What Does CARTA Buy?
Parts, supplies, equipment, professional and other services required to maintain the buses and Incline cars, related equipment, fixed facilities and administrative offices.
How Does CARTA Buy?
All goods and services CARTA needs are obtained through either an informal purchasing process or a competitive bidding/request for proposals process.
Goods and/or services valued from $2,500 to $50,000 may be purchased from the lowest and best of two quotations in writing.
Goods and/or services valued over $50,000 are purchased through a competitive sealed bid or request for proposals process. Vendors are notified of CARTA’s intent to obtain bids or proposals by direct mailings from current vendor lists and through newspaper advertisements.
Who Receives CARTA's Bid Notices/Requests for Proposals?
How Does CARTA Advertise for Bids/Proposals?
All bid and proposal related advertising appears in the legal notice sections of the Chattanooga Times Free Press and Passenger Transport (as applicable). Construction projects are also listed in the Dodge Report.
How Do I Get on CARTA's Bidder’s List?
Getting on CARTA's bidder’s list is as simple as forwarding a letter of interest to the Annie Powell, Grants Manager/DBE Coordinator, 1617 Wilcox Boulevard, Chattanooga, TN 37406.
The following information must accompany your request to be placed on CARTA's bidder’s list:
- Legal / recognized name of your business.
- Street and/or P.O. Box mailing address(es) of business
- All business contact phone numbers: 1-800 or similar, fax, pager, cellular, mobile and local phone numbers: e-mail and/or Web site addresses (when available)
- Business point of contact, names and positions held.
- Future solicitations you wish to be mailed. Please limit requests to services and/or parts that can be provided by your business.
- Identify if business has DBE, MBE, WBE status.
Disadvantage Business Enterprises
If anyone feels that their firm qualifies as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) under 49 CFR Part 26, contact:
Annie Powell
Grants Manager/DBE Coordinator
Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority
1617 Wilcox Boulevard
Chattanooga, TN 37406
Telephone 423-629-1411
Fax 423-698-2749
E-mail: AnniePowell@gocarta.org
Click here if you would like to download a DBE application. On an annual basis, CARTA establishes goals for the participation of disadvantage business in its procurement process. For fiscal year 2008, CARTA's DBE goal is 5.5%
NOTE:
There is no DBE set-aside or discount provision in CARTA's Disadvantage Business Enterprise Program.
Certification Eligibility:
A Disadvantaged Business Enterprise is defined as a for-profit small business concern:
- That is at least 51% owned by one or more individuals who are both socially and economically disadvantaged or, in the case of a corporation, in which 51% of the stock is owned by one or more such individuals; and
- Whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more of the socially and economically disadvantaged individuals who own it.
Other criteria includes, but is not limited to:
1. Membership in a protected class;
2. The owners' personal net worth; and
3. Firm meets SBA small business guidelines.
Gross receipt averages over three years must not exceed $17.4 million (heavy construction contractor) or $4 million (engineering consultant).
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