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Doing Business with MERC

As the manager of premier meeting, convention, exhibition and performing arts public venues in Oregon, MERC purchases many types of materials and services – from cleaning and building supplies to construction and professional services.

The purchase of day-to-day materials, equipment and services are managed independently by each venue according to MERC’s purchasing and solicitation guidelines. When the agency seeks professional or consulting services that will benefit all its venues, the solicitation is managed by MERC’s contracting and purchasing division. Additionally, construction and building project services are managed through solicitation by MERC Capital Construction Division.

Want to know more?
Purchasing and Contracts
Julie Hoffman
503.731.7905

Construction and Capital Projects
Heather Peck
503.731.7846

Purchasing and Solicitation Guidelines

When purchasing materials and services, MERC follows the following purchasing and solicitation guidelines:

• Purchases under $5000 may be made directly. Solicitation is recommended but not required.
• Purchases between $5000 and $100,000 may be informally solicited. Three suppliers must be contacted.
• Purchases over $100,000 must be formally solicited. They will be advertised in a publication of general circulation and posted on this website.

Diversity

MERC values diversity in its contracting and purchasing. We require three vendors to be solicited when a contract for goods or services will exceed $5,000. One of these vendors must be within the FOTA area MWESB if available and one must be a statewide MWESB if available.

FOTA Area

The First Opportunity Target Area (FOTA) is a geographical area adjacent to the Oregon Convention Center that has been designated as “economically distressed.”

Contracting Requirements

To do business with MERC, contractors must be registered as a business with the State of Oregon. Businesses in the City of Portland that generate annual revenue exceeding $25,000 must have a valid City of Portland Business License.

Capital Projects: Definition

New construction, expansion, renovation or replacement projects for an existing facility or facilities.  The projects must have a total cost of least $10,000 over the life of the project.  Project costs can include materials and supplies, the cost of land, engineering, architectural planning, and contract or consulting services needed to complete any project.