Procurement

Our Organization

SC Ports Authority's (SCPA) Procurement Department is the central buying authority responsible for the procurement of supplies and services. Construction projects are customarily managed by SCPA's Engineering Department with Procurement oversight. The Procurement Department is responsible for ensuring that Request for Proposals (RFPs), Request for Quotations (RFQs), and Invitations for Bids (IFBs) are in accordance with Procurement Policies and Procedures, and applicable laws and regulations. Additionally, the Procurement Department is responsible for issuing all Purchase Orders and vendor contracts.

Our Mission

The Procurement Department's mission is to provide the goods and services the Authority needs, at the appropriate time and place, in sufficient quality and quantity, at an acceptable price.

Purchasing Policy

Purchasing for SCPA is guided by several established policies. These policies are:

  1. To conduct all purchasing in accordance with established Authority Procurement Policies and Procedures.
  2. To obtain the right quantity and quality of product or service at the right price, and time when needed.
  3. To maximize competition, and provide all interested and qualified vendors with the opportunity to offer their products and services to the Authority.
  4. To treat all vendors fairly, ensuring that there is open and fair competition with the business being awarded to the most qualified vendor in the best interest of the Authority.
  5. Maintain the highest ethical standards in all transactions.

Notice of Debarment Policy

The South Carolina State Ports Authority (Authority) hereby notifies and advises potential bidders, vendors, or contractors of its Debarment Policy. Any contractor or vendor who provides false or misleading information or is an adverse party in litigation involving the Authority may not be selected or utilized and is debarred from selection or utilization as a contractor or vendor, directly or indirectly (e.g., subcontractor) and from providing materials or services to the Authority. Debarment under this policy shall apply to all contracts; purchase orders; opportunities to quote, bid, or submit proposals; solicitations; and any other arrangements for providing materials or services to the Authority.

Who Purchases for the Authority

SCPA has a centralized purchasing function. The Procurement Department is the only Department authorized to issue purchase orders committing SCPA's funds. Vendors shall not make sales to Authority's employees without a purchase order approved by the Procurement Department.

The Procurement Office is located at 200 Ports Authority Drive, Charleston, SC 29464. The hours of operations are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Vendors are encouraged to call for an appointment.

Staff Directory

The following is a list of the Procurement Department's personnel who may assist you.

Bob Mitchell, Director of Procurement, bmitchell@scspa.com, 843-856-7052
Tisha DeVeaux, Procurement Specialist, tdeveaux@scspa.com, 843-577-8623
Corlatta Sanders, Procurement Specialist, csanders@scspa.com, 843-856-7048

Correspondence

Direct all correspondence to:

SC Ports Authority
Procurement Department
200 Ports Authority Drive
Mt. Pleasant, SC  29464

How Offers are Solicited

Bids and proposals are solicited through two different competitive procedures. A formal procedure is used when the value of the purchase is estimated to be $100,000.00 or greater. An informal procedure is used when the estimated value of the purchase is less than $100,000.00.

Offers on formal procedures will be solicited by an RFQ, IFB, or RFP, and may be advertised in The South Carolina Business Opportunity, Association of General Contractors, the Authority's web site, and in The Post and Courier newspaper. Adequate notice of the Invitation for Bids shall be given for the opening of bids. The advertisement will state the date offers are due, where bid or proposal forms may be obtained, and the time and place bids will be opened. The formal solicitation process from issuance to opening generally takes two weeks. After bids or proposals are opened, the evaluation process may take up to thirty (30) days before an award is made.

Competitive offers on informal purchases less than ($100,000), will be solicited by email, mail, or telephone from a minimum of three (3) vendors on the open market for the item sought and/or the approved Vendors List. Informal purchases do not require newspaper advertising. Generally, the informal bid process from solicitation to the opening of offers takes from one (1) day to seven (7) days. The evaluation and award process may take up to three (3) additional days.