How to Do Business with Us

The first step in selling goods or services to the Fairbanks North Star Borough is to register with BidNet as a vendor. Registered vendors will receive notifications of upcoming solicitations.

Web-Based System

Bidders are not required to pay to utilize the Fairbanks North Star Borough's BidNet website. To view and download IFB/RFP documents a vendor is required to register. By registering a vendor will be electronically notified of addendums or changes to bid documents, as well as new solicitation postings.

The web-based system provides:

Electronic Bidders Registration and Management
Email Notification of Bid Opportunities
Download of Solicitation Documents
Review Bid Tabulation and Awarded Bid Information
Electronic Submission of Bid Documents and Proposals

Bid & Proposal Process

Purchasing uses a variety of competitive methods to acquire goods and services for the Fairbanks North Star Borough.

All competitive solicitations for goods and services are issued through the BidNet. The minimum value of each bid is $40,000.

Although the Fairbanks North Star Borough prefers a competitive process to acquire goods and services, in unusual circumstances, where the claim can be adequately justified, a Sole Source process may be used.

Vendor Invoices

Original invoices must be addressed and mailed to:
Fairbanks North Star Borough
Accounting Division / Accounts Payable
P.O. Box 71267
Fairbanks, AK 99707-1267

To ensure prompt payment, original invoices must be sent to Accounts payable, payment will be delayed if invoices are sent to the departments placing the order, or to purchasing. Invoices must include:

Complete descriptions of the goods or services furnished
Invoice number
Name of the department receiving the commodities
Payment remittance address
Purchase Order Number
Quantity
Unit and total prices as stated on the Purchase Order and freight charges, if any

Payment

The vendor receives payment from the Borough after delivery and acceptance of the goods, or services and the original invoice for goods or services has been submitted. Departments need to provide Accounts Payable with evidence that goods have been received. Payment is then processed within a 30-day term.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Policy Statement

It is the policy of Fairbanks North Star Borough to ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of Department of Transportation (DOT)-assisted contracts. We create a level playing field on which DBEs and other small businesses can compete fairly. Bidders are required to make "Good Faith Efforts" to subcontract, where applicable, or purchase supplies from these businesses. Fairbanks North Star Borough bids require the bidder to submit certain documentation with their bid to ensure compliance with this policy.

The list of certified AUSP DBEs is available online at the AUCP Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Directory. For more information, email Cory Beal, DBE Liaison Officer, or call 907-459-1297. Alaska Civil Rights office could be found at:
Civil Rights Office
2200 E 42nd Avenue
P.O. Box 196900
Anchorage AK 99519-6900
Phone: 907-269-0851
Phone: 800-770-6236 inside Alaska
Fax: 907-269-0847
Civil Rights Office Website

Small Business Administration (SBA)

To assist in the development of firms and remove barriers in order for small businesses to compete successfully in the market place.

Local Bidder Preference

In the award of contracts for goods or services, if otherwise in full conformity with the invitation for bids, a local bidder who has a valid business license to provide such goods or services shall be considered as low bidder if its bid is the lesser of five % or $40,000 in excess of the lowest bid received from a nonlocal bidder located elsewhere in Alaska, or the lesser of 10% or $80,000 in excess of the lowest bid received from non-Alaska bidders. This local bidder preference shall be applied to all invitation for bids unless:

Prohibited by federal or state law or a grant requirement
The purchased good or service will be included in the cost allocation pool from which the administrative fee is determined.

Fairbanks North Star Borough Code of Ordinances Title 16 Section 16.16.050.