Doing Business FAQ
The following list contains answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about doing business or getting involved with the DHC.
The DHC has multiple procurement and contract opportunities in accordance with federal regulations. To learn about these opportunities visit our Open Solicitations page.
DHC is an equal-opportunity organization that buys from technically and financially responsible business entities specializing in the following areas:
- Construction & Engineering
- Commodities, Work Services, Automotive & Heavy Equipment
- Professional Services, Information Systems & Services
A bid is a formal statement of the DHC's needs. It will describe in detail what goods or services are required and explain the procedures that must be followed to submit a response, Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Qualifications (RFQ).
Visit our Open Solicitations page. If you see a project that corresponds with the commodities or services you provide, pick up a hard copy at 1301 E. Jefferson, Detroit, MI 48207; or contact the listed Buyer. Depending on commodity and size of documents, solicitations may also be faxed or sent via e-mail.
After you have identified the specification(s) for which you would like to place a bid, obtain a bid packet from the DHC Department of Procurement and Contracts. You must submit your price quotation and provide all the information requested in the bid/proposal documents. All information must either be typed or written in ink.
Be sure that your bid/proposal is accurate, signed and notarized in the appropriate places (e.g. corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship), with all required signatures included. Please note that you must submit documents with ORIGINAL SIGNATURES where required; photocopied signatures will result in disqualification of the entire bid package.
Contact the buyer listed on the specification cover sheet. This should be the same contact person listed on the Contract Opportunities document.
Each specification and Bid Opening Schedule should indicate a time and date bids will be opened and read publicly. Bids and proposals received after the hour and date indicated will not be considered. Proposals are not opened publicly. The public is invited to attend all bid openings.
Bids and RFP's/RFQ's can be disqualified for the following reasons:
- Returned late / after the bid opening day
- Contains incomplete documents
- Is missing required notary or original signatures
- Is missing documents
Please note that this list is provided as a guide and is not all-inclusive.
If a vendor can provide the goods and/or services requested in the invitation for bid, the business may bid on the specification. However, specifications identified as an "Alternative Procurement Program" are restricted to certified DHC Resident-Owned Businesses.
Due to the volume of requests, we cannot fax bid opening lists. Specifications for and responses to informal solicitation may be faxed — please check with the Buyer. You can view contract opportunities from our website. Specifications can be picked up at DHC's Procurement Office, 1301 E. Jefferson, Detroit, MI 48207, 1st floor.
Occasionally construction bid documents require a non-refundable fee from $25-$100; payment must be in the form of a money order, certified or cashier's check (cash or company checks will NOT be accepted). Non-construction specifications are generally without a fee. Bidders unable or unwilling to pay may view specifications at the DHC Procurement Office and/or local trade associations (CAM, Dodge Reports, Const. News Svc. Of MI., etc.) during normal business hours.
A bid is a formal statement of the DHC's needs. It will describe in detail what goods or services are required and explain the procedures that must be followed to submit a response, Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Qualifications (RFQ).
Visit our Open Solicitations page. If you see a project that corresponds with the commodities or services you provide, pick up a hard copy at 1301 E. Jefferson, Detroit, MI 48207; or contact the listed Buyer. Depending on commodity and size of documents, solicitations may also be faxed or sent via e-mail.
After you have identified the specification(s) for which you would like to place a bid, obtain a bid packet from the DHC Department of Procurement and Contracts. You must submit your price quotation and provide all the information requested in the bid/proposal documents. All information must either be typed or written in ink.
Be sure that your bid/proposal is accurate, signed and notarized in the appropriate places (e.g. corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship), with all required signatures included. Please note that you must submit documents with ORIGINAL SIGNATURES where required; photocopied signatures will result in disqualification of the entire bid package.
Contact the buyer listed on the specification cover sheet. This should be the same contact person listed on the Contract Opportunities document.
Each specification and Bid Opening Schedule should indicate a time and date bids will be opened and read publicly. Bids and proposals received after the hour and date indicated will not be considered. Proposals are not opened publicly. The public is invited to attend all bid openings.
Bids and RFP's/RFQ's can be disqualified for the following reasons:
- Returned late / after the bid opening day
- Contains incomplete documents
- Is missing required notary or original signatures
- Is missing documents
Please note that this list is provided as a guide and is not all-inclusive.
If a vendor can provide the goods and/or services requested in the invitation for bid, the business may bid on the specification. However, specifications identified as an "Alternative Procurement Program" are restricted to certified DHC Resident-Owned Businesses.
Due to the volume of requests, we cannot fax bid opening lists. Specifications for and responses to informal solicitation may be faxed — please check with the Buyer. You can view contract opportunities from our website. Specifications can be picked up at DHC's Procurement Office, 1301 E. Jefferson, Detroit, MI 48207, 1st floor.
Occasionally construction bid documents require a non-refundable fee from $25-$100; payment must be in the form of a money order, certified or cashier's check (cash or company checks will NOT be accepted). Non-construction specifications are generally without a fee. Bidders unable or unwilling to pay may view specifications at the DHC Procurement Office and/or local trade associations (CAM, Dodge Reports, Const. News Svc. Of MI., etc.) during normal business hours.
Each user department has its own process of paying approved invoices. Department-specific invoicing procedures are included in each bid document. Generally, all invoices are submitted to the DHC PO Box listed on the Purchase Order and/or address contained in individual contract documents.
A DHC contract is available for inspection by any member of the general public ONLY after it has been awarded. Bid tabulation sheets, compiled on the day of the bid openings, may be requested by "respondents to the bid" from the designated buyer of the contract or procurement. Other interested parties should request copies of information as provided in Michigan FOIA from DHC's Freedom of Information Act Officer.