Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority | Doing Business

Procurement 

Looking to become a PSTA vendor? We’re always seeking qualified partners who can help us deliver the best possible service to our riders. From office supplies to major infrastructure projects, we handle everything with the same commitment to fairness and transparency. 

Getting started as a vendor 

Step 1: Submit a completed Vendor Application. Fill it out completely and be sure to indicate the group class code for your product or service. Feel free to include brochures, line cards, and other materials that showcase what you do. 

Step 2: Consider DBE certification. If your firm isn’t already certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), contact FDOT for information on the certification process—it opens up additional opportunities. 

Step 3: Stay connected. Watch for business opportunities in the Tampa Tribune and St. Pete Times, and remember that in-person sales calls are by appointment only. 

Our Procurement Vision & Mission 

Vision: To be the preferred and most trusted resource for purchasing the highest quality products and services that deliver value to our customers, earning their respect and loyalty. We want to be admired not only for what we achieve, but how we achieve it—with innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility. 

Mission: To support PSTA’s mission of providing safe, convenient, accessible, and affordable public transportation by procuring the highest quality products and services at competitive prices in the most efficient manner possible. 

How Contracts Work 

All purchases (except certain recurring obligations) go through PSTA purchase orders. We award contracts to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder—meaning while competitive pricing matters, we also evaluate whether you can actually deliver what you promise. We consider delivery, performance, quality, service, and your ability to meet specifications. 

Important note: The PSTA Board of Directors must approve all contracts over $100,000. 

Current Opportunities 

Ready to see what’s available right now? 

Transit agencies: We’ve also completed electric bus procurements for the entire state. View Florida Electric Transit Buses Procurement resources

Important Requirements 

• E-Verify compliance: We’re required to verify employment status of all employees and contractors’ employees per Florida Governor’s Executive Order 11-02.

• Federal grant compliance: For federally funded purchases, we follow FTA guidelines.

Code of Ethics & Lobbying Policy 

We take ethics seriously. No PSTA officer or employee can have financial interests that conflict with their public duties, and no one can solicit or accept gratuities from contractors or potential contractors. 

Lobbying is strictly prohibited during competitive selection processes. This means no attempts to influence board members, evaluation committees, employees, or agents from the date of advertisement until the award is final or the process concludes. Violations will disqualify your bid. 

If you need clarification about the procurement process, contact our purchasing division or general counsel—that’s always allowed. 

Contact Procurement: 

• Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00am –4:30pm
• Phone: 727-540-1800
• Email: website-bids@psta.net
• Address: 3201 Scherer Drive, St. Petersburg, FL 33716 

Reach Thousands of Riders With Bus Advertising 

Want to reach thousands of daily transit riders? Our buses and transit facilities offer great visibility throughout Pinellas County. 

Bus shelter advertising 

Contact: InSite Street Media 
General Manager: Katie Cullen 
Phone: 813-249-6309 
Email: kcullen@insitesm.com 
Website: www.insitesm.com 

Bus bench advertising 

Please note: Bus benches are not owned or managed by PSTA 

Contact: COA of America 
Address: 8875 Hidden River Parkway, Suite 300, Tampa, FL 33637 
Phone: 1-800-661-6088 
Email: Sales@creativeoutdoor.com 
Website: www.creativeoutdoor.com 

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program 

Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) has established a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program in accordance with regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Title 49 CFR Part 26. The DBE Program applies to federally assisted contracts issued by the (DOT) to recipients of federal financial assistance, particularly those related to highway, transit, and aviation projects. It ensures that these contracts are made available to small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. PSTA’s DBE goal for FFY 2025 – 2027 is 5.00%.  A copy of PSTA’s DBE Program Plan  FY25 – FY27 Goal Setting Methodology is available upon request.

Program Goals and Objectives

PSTA will implement its DBE Program in good faith and shall not permit the use of race or gender conscious quotas or set asides in its administration. All federally funded contracts and procurements are administered without discrimination based on race, color, sex, or national origin.

The Program’s goal is to provide DBEs with an equal opportunity to participate in all federally funded agreements, contracts, and subcontracts awarded by:

• Assisting in the development of DBEs to successfully compete in the marketplace outside the DBE Program.
• Creating a level playing field on which DBEs can compete fairly.
• Ensuring the DBE Program is narrowly tailored in accordance with applicable law.
• Contracting firms that only meet 49 CFR Part 26 eligibility standards as DBEs.

Eligibility Requirements

A DBE is a small business concern that is at least 51 percent owned by one or more individuals who are both socially and economically disadvantaged; and whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more of the socially and economically disadvantaged individuals who own it.

DBE status is determined by the following criteria:

• The existing business must be “for-profit” and currently operational.

• Meet the federal definition of a small business concern.
• Be an independent business that does not depend on its relationships with another firm or firms;  if they are a subsidiary of a corporation, the business must still operate in a self-sufficient manner.
• The qualifying owner(s) must meet the federal definition of “socially and economically disadvantaged” individuals.
• The qualifying owner(s) cannot have a net worth that exceeds $2.047 million and have day-to-day control of operations.  They must possess an expertise in their work specialty.

Understanding Social and Economic Disadvantage 

Socially disadvantaged individuals are those who have been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias within American society because of their identities as members of groups and without regard to their individual qualities. Social disadvantage must stem from circumstances beyond their control.  Evidence of individual social disadvantage must include one of these elements:

• At least one objective distinguishing feature that has contributed to social disadvantage, such as race, ethnic origin, gender, disability, long-term residence in an environment isolated from the mainstream of American society, or other similar causes not common to individuals who are not socially disadvantaged.
• Personal experiences of substantial and chronic social disadvantage in American society, not in other countries; and
• Negative impact on entry into or advancement in the business world because of the disadvantage.

Economically disadvantaged individuals are socially disadvantaged individuals whose ability to compete in the free enterprise system has been impaired due to diminished capital and credit opportunities as compared to others in the same or similar line of business who are not socially disadvantaged. Each individual claiming economic disadvantage must describe the conditions which are the basis for the claim in a narrative statement and must submit personal financial information.

Advantages of DBE Certification

DBE Certification helps contractors and consultants identify DBE’s eligible to participate on federally funded contracts. Only certified DBEs count towards fulfilling a solicitation with a DBE goal.  In addition, certification also provides a greater exposure for work opportunities on PSTA projects, plus education, training, access to loans, and bonding, provided by other agencies.

Getting Certified 

Certification is available by contacting the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) or Tampa International Airport  Office Business Diversity Management System.

Once certified, a firm is listed in the Florida Unified Certification Program (UCP). The UCP is used by state departments, local governments, contractors, and the public. PSTA is a non-certifying member of the UCP and uses the UCP to confirm DBE Certification.

Contact DBE Program: 

• Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM–4:00 PM 
• Email: purchasing@psta.net
• Address: 3201 Scherer Drive, St. Petersburg, FL 33716