Doing Business with the NFTA
Doing business with the NFTA : A guide for suppliers, consultants and contractors
The information provided is intended to help suppliers, consultants and contractors identify solicitations on which they would like to bid or make a proposal. It is not a substitute for the official procurement documents. All award decisions are based solely on the content of the official RFP and Bid documents.
Full procurement guidelines can be found here:
Find out about upcoming RFP/IFB opportunities and register your company as a supplier
To reach as many potential suppliers, consultants and contractors as possible, the NFTA uses several methods, including this website, to announce procurement opportunities.
Bonfire Interactive
Register on Bonfire Interactive
The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) has partnered with Bonfire Interactive to create a new procurement portal that will allow vendors, potential vendors and third parties to receive notifications of formal competitive procurements (Requests for Proposal & Invitation for Bids) and then electronically submit bids and proposals to the NFTA.
Registration on Bonfire is mandatory to participate in the NFTA’s formal competitive procurements and to download procurement documents and submit a proposal/bid. Only registered suppliers will be notified of upcoming procurement opportunities.
Vendors are requested to visit bonfirehub.com, then follow the link to the Bonfire vendor registration page to register your company. Please be sure to select “Vendor Type” and “NAICS Code Set” associated with your type of business or organization. Vendors will be alerted to upcoming solicitations based on their selected “Vendor Type” or NAICS Code.
For engineering and construction project opportunities, go to NFTA Engineering.
Check the Bonfire portal for Current Procurement Opportunities. Bids must be downloaded directly from this website.
Check the Newspapers for Advertisements
Most of the NFTA's procurement needs appear in the Buffalo News, The Niagara Falls Gazette and The Buffalo Challenger. Other newspapers and periodicals may be used under special circumstances.
The Primary Source: The New York State Contract Reporter
All procurement solicitations that are anticipated to be $25,000 and above appear in the New York State Contract Reporter. For subscription information, contact the New York State Contract Reporter online or call 1-888-697-7787.
What We Procure
- Airport Equipment and Services
- Building Maintenance Supplies and Services
- Bus, Truck, Automobile, and Rail Car Parts
- Construction Services
- Consultant Services
- Equipment Repair
- Fire Fighting Supplies
- Fuel and Lubricants
- Graphic Supplies
- Industrial Supplies
- Office Supplies and Equipment
- Pest Control
- Printing and Graphic supplies Materials
- Printed Materials
- Replacement Glass
- Safety Supplies
- Security Services
- Uniforms
- Vehicle Maintenance and Repair
If you have any questions about this list, please contact the Procurement department at procurement@nfta.com .
How does the procurement process work?
The NFTA solicits bids and proposals using the following methods: (All formal procurements $25,000 and above are advertised).
Informal Bids
When buying materials and services for under $25,000, the NFTA telephones or emails potential sources for quotations rather than advertise. The NFTA looks at its Registered Suppliers List and other sources to locate qualified suppliers.
Invitation for Bid
An Invitation for Bid is used to obtain bids when a contract is competitively bid. Potential suppliers and contractors submit bids that are opened at a public meeting, at a location, date and time specified in the Bid Document.
Request for Proposal
The NFTA uses Requests for Proposals when a contract is competitively negotiated. A selection committee evaluates the proposals and, based on the selection criteria set forth in the RFP, negotiates with the most qualified proponent before awarding a contract.
How does the NFTA decide who is awarded a contract?
The procedures for making awards differ depending on whether the contract is based on Informal Bid, an Invitation for Bid, or a Request for Proposal. For Informal Bids, solicitations and Invitations for Bid, contracts or Purchase Orders are awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The NFTA determines if the lowest responsive bidder can responsibly fulfill the contract or purchase order. Delivery, performance, quality, and ability to meet bid specifications are all important considerations when evaluating a bidder's level of responsiveness.
For contracts based on RFPs, a number of criteria are considered. Pertinent experience, proven management skills, qualified key personnel, ability to perform within given time constraints, past performance, quality of previous bid documents, demonstrated professionalism and other criteria specific to each contract may all become part of the negotiations that lead to the awarding of a contract based on an RFP.
Sale of Surplus Materials
To inquire about NFTA surplus materials, please visit: