LFUCG Division of Central Purchasing
The LFUCG Division of Central Purchasing processes approximately 300 contracts, quotes, bids and requests for proposals each year. Every purchase the city makes, from paper clips to major construction projects, flows through this department.
What do we buy? How do we buy?
- Pro Cards Up to $1,000 in restricted purchases, limits vary by division
- Division Purchases LFUCG Divisions can make purchases totaling $1,000 to $10,000 with 3 informal quotes and approval by the Division of Central Purchasing
- Formal Quotes Purchases from $10,000 to $20,000 for commodities and services are posted on the LFUCG Economic Engine Marketplace
- Bids $20,000 and up for commodities and services, bids are advertised in the paper and posted on the LFUCG Economic Engine Marketplace
- Requests for Proposals (RFP)--$25,000 and above for professional services such as attorney fees, engineering services, consultants, project managers etc. Bids are advertised in the newspaper and posted on the LFUCG Economic Engine Marketplace
Disadvantaged Business Ten Percent Goal Plan
Resolution 167-91
The LFUCG Urban County Council adopted and implemented Resolution 167-91 in July 1991. The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Ten Percent Goal Plan was established to increase the participation of minority and woman owned businesses in the construction and professional services contracts. The goal was established to develop an inclusive procurement process that uses a diverse pool of vendors for the equitable distribution of government spending.
In addition, Mayor Jim Newberry set the wheels in motion to extend that resolution by asking each division to also strive for a 10 percent goal in procurement. A full time Minority Business Enterprise Liaison was hired on April 1, 2010.
LFUCG Division Purchasing Liaison Council
LFUCG has over 50 divisions that make direct purchases of commodities and services using pro-cards, purchase orders and informal quotes. Each division has one or several purchasing liaisons. Each month these liaisons meet with the Minority Business Enterprise Liaison to discuss how to reach their individual and collective goals.
Contact us and we will connect you to the division purchasing liaisons that purchase your services or commodities.
The Minority Business Enterprise Program
The mission of the Minority Business Enterprise Program is to facilitate the full participation of minority and women owned businesses in the procurement process and to promote economic inclusion as a business imperative essential to the long term growth and economic viability of Lexington and Fayette County.
The Minority Business Enterprise Program includes:
- Online bid opportunities specifically tailored to your services
- Classes on the LFUCG procurement process
- Invitations to networking events and conferences relevant to your business
- Referrals for business development and small business loans
- Assistance with certification, pre-qualifying, insurance and bonding
- Individual appointments on request
Click here for a printable brochure about the Minority Business Enterprise Program
Minority Business Enterprise Defined
For our purposes, a minority business enterprise is a business that
- Is 51% or more owned, controlled, operated and managed by a minority or woman with U.S. or permanent citizenship
- Belongs to one of the following minority groups
- African-American
- Hispanic-American
- Asian-American/Pacific Islander
- Native-American/Native Alaskan
- Non-Minority Female
Current Bids, Quotes, RFPs
Click here to visit the LFUCG Economic Engine Marketplace listing of our current bids, quotes and RFPs
LFUCG Economic Engine Marketplace
The LFUCG Economic Engine Marketplace is the best tool we have to communicate with vendors on a regular basis.
Please register your company at https://lfucg.economicengine.com
After you are registered, your company will be added to our data base. You will begin receiving invitations to bid on commodities or services directly related to your business.
If you have registration questions, please contact customer support at 1-866-526-0598.
Certification Requirements for Minority and Women Owned Businesses
Effective December 31, 2010 all minority and women owned businesses interested in doing business with LFUCG will have to be certified by a credible and recognized certifying agency.
Certification is a review process designed to ensure that all minority and women owned businesses are:
- 51% or more owned, controlled, operated and managed by a minority or woman with U.S. or permanent citizenship
- For our purposes, minority categories are:
- African-American
- Hispanic-American
- Asian-American/Pacific Islander
- Native-American/ Native Alaskan
- Non-Minority Female
The certification process can take from 30-90 days to complete. General requirements include the submission of an application, financial documents and a site visit to be conducted by the certifying agency.
There are many benefits to being certified. Many large companies and most governmental entities prefer doing business with certified minority and woman owned businesses. Certification is required on most state and federal bids. And many certifying agencies also provide networking opportunities, small business development, conferences and connections to many other entities looking for certified minority and women owned businesses.