Procurement

The COMET frequently hires local and national businesses to work on projects that improve our fleet and increase services for our ridership. Projects include everything from building renovation and construction to vehicle maintenance, operations management and others.

The Finance Department at The COMET serves as the connection between various departments and companies wishing to bid on projects and provide their goods or services.

Overview of the Procurement Process

The COMET
determines a need.
The COMET posts a
notice to solicit bids.
Companies submit
their bids and project
proposals.
Appointed evaluation
committee
assesses all bids.
Committee makes a
recommendation to Executive
Director/CEO & Board of Directors.
The COMET sends a
purchase order to the
winning company, and
work begins.

Contact Margaret Woodson, Procurement and Compliance Manager at 803.255.7137 
or email: [email protected]

Please review our procurement policy and our purchase order terms and conditions.

View Open RFPs
View Closed RFPs

New Process for Contract Opportunities beginning in 2024

The COMET is pleased to announce it has engaged Bonfire to create a portal through which solicitations will be posted and where bids and proposals will be submitted. 

Effective for all procurements due on or after January 10, 2024, The COMET will transition to electronic submission through the Bonfire platform. New procurements (IFBs/RFPs/RFQs) will be posted on the Bonfire platform. After that date, companies wishing to respond to procurements must register and upload their submissions through the Bonfire portal, available at: https://catchthecometsc.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=openOpportunities.

NOTE: You must register with Bonfire even if you are a current The COMET registered vendor or currently do business with The COMET. Hard copy responses will no longer be accepted for procurements due on or after January 10, 2024. Registration is easy and free.  Please be sure to select NAICS codes associated with your type of business or organization. Our solicitations will be set up using those codes and will be matched to vendors and contractors with the same codes.

All contracting opportunities for the Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority, dba The COMET, are advertised in the South Carolina Business Opportunities (SCBO) Online Edition.

Bonfire Marketing Video:  https://share.vidyard.com/watch/efrJMw3VVKB13H84zjQTG9 

Vendor Registration and Submission: https://share.vidyard.com/watch/4kpdd8rsxuBwPEMJ61L3if 

Vendor Submission: https://share.vidyard.com/watch/CbP95BXCELvGhEbCSvbYu2

Should you want to pursue business opportunities with RATP DEV please visit their website.

Trip Planner

First time Riders

Purchase Passes

Plan And Track My Bus

How to Ride

Free downtown Shuttles