Competitive Sealed Bids

How do I register as a prospective bidder?

The Atlantic County Division of Budget and Purchasing Bid Portal was designed to help vendors do business with the County. Registering on this site will allow you to receive automatic notifications of formal bid solicitations.   You can register online.

What is the mailing address to submit a bid?

You may mail, hand deliver or express mail your completed bid package to the following address:

Atlantic County Division of Budget and Purchasing
1333 Atlantic Avenue
Atlantic City, NJ 08401

Please be sure to put 6th Floor on your address envelope, and you should mark the outside envelope with BID ENCLOSED. Be reminded that it is your responsibility to ensure that your bid is delivered by 11:00 a.m. on the bid due date. LATE BIDS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. You may call 609-343-2268 to ensure that your bid has been delivered.

When and where are bids opened?

Atlantic County almost always (with very rare exceptions that are clearly stated) opens bids at 11:00 A.M. on the given day. Bids are always publicly opened in the County Office building located at 1333 Atlantic Ave in Atlantic City.

What if my bid is late?

It is your responsibility to ensure that your bid is delivered by the due date and time. Late bids are not accepted. A late bid will be returned to the bidder unopened and will not be considered for award.

Can I obtain bid results on-line?

We post bid results on-line the day after a bid is opened.

Can I obtain bid documents on-line?

Yes, bid documents can be obtained online if you are registered.

Is there a charge for bid documents?

There is no charge for most bid documents available on the bid portal.  If a fee is required for plans and specifications, it will be stated on the portal record.

Where can I go to see what contracts are currently being advertised for bid?

You can view Atlantic County’s upcoming bid information here or visit the County’s bid portal to see what contracts are currently being advertised for bids

---

Professional Consultant Services

How can my firm find out about solicitations for Professional Consultant Services?

Atlantic County lists all open competitive Requests for Proposals (RFP) on their bid portal.

Is there a charge for RFPs?

No, Atlantic County does not charge for RFP documents.

Can I obtain RFPs online?

Yes, RFP documents can be obtained online if you are registered.

My firm responded to an RFP a few months ago but we have not yet been notified if we have been selected. What does this mean?

The evaluation process can take a number of months to complete. You can be assured that as soon as the process is completed, all firms will be notified.

Who selects the winning proposal?

All proposals are reviewed by an evaluation committee comprised of Atlantic County employees with knowledge, expertise and experience sufficient to make a fair and reasonable evaluation.

---

Pay to Play

What contracts are subject to NJ State Pay-to-Play restrictions?

Any County or Municipal contract in excess of $17,500 that is not awarded through a Fair and Open Process.

What is a “fair and open process”?

Under N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.4 et seq., a “fair and open” process is a competitive process compliant with the rules and restrictions set forth by the State’s Local Unit Pay-to-Play law. Specifically, the “fair and open” process shall include, at minimum:

• Public advertisement (either conventionally in newspapers OR posted on the entity’s website) with “sufficient time to give notice,” and
• Award under “a process that provides for public solicitation of proposals OR qualifications,” and
• Established on the basis of an award and disclosure process documented in writing prior to any solicitation, and
• Publicly opened and announced when awarded

Can contractors awarded contracts through a fair and open process (including public bids or competitive contracting) make reportable contributions to municipal or county candidates or political committees?

In January 2015 the County passed Ordinance No. 2 of 2015 which adopts the election contribution provisions of State law found at NJSA 19:44A-1, et. seq. While contractors are still required to report all reportable contributions in excess of $300, pursuant to NJSA 19:44A-8(d), a contractor is permitted to contribute up to $2,600 per election in the aggregate to any candidate for elective County office pursuant to NJSA 19:44A-11.3 and still be eligible for a County contract so long as the contract is awarded under a “fair and open process” as defined by the statute. Pursuant to NJSA 19:4A-11.4 a contractor can contribute up to $25,000 per year in the aggregate to any State Committee of a political party, $37,000 per year in the aggregate to any County Committee of a political party and $7,200 per year in the aggregate to any Municipal Committee of any political party and still be eligible for a County contract so long as the contract is awarded pursuant to a “fair and open process.”

The reportable contribution limits of NJSA 19:44A-8 only disqualify a contractor from receiving a County contract if the contract is awarded pursuant to a “non-fair and open process” also known as an alternate method contract.

Are contracts that are exempt from bidding (pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:11-5) subject to Pay-To-Play?

Under New Jersey Sate Pay to Play, yes, all contracts in excess of $17,500 are subject to a fair and open process or must comply with the reporting requirements of a non-fair and open process.

May a business entity that has a made a reportable contribution re-establish eligibility for a contract by requesting that the contribution be returned?

Under the New Jersey Pay to Play, yes, provided that the contribution is returned within sixty (60) days of said contribution. ELEC should be consulted for additional information.