Do you have to be prequalified to submit a bid?

Yes, you must be prequalified prior to the bid opening.​

How can MWLBE firms participate?

The SCA strongly supports and encourages the participation of MWLBE firms as prime and subcontractors, as well as prime and subconsultants. For more information, visit Business DevelopmentMentor Programs and MWLBE Certification.

How do I find SCA prequalified firms for a job?

To view a list of firms that are currently prequalified to do business with the SCA, visit the Prequalified Firms by Trade.

How do I determine which firms are disqualified, suspended and/or ineligible to do business with the SCA?

To view firms disqualified, suspended, or ineligible to perform work on SCA projects as a prime contractor, consultant, member of a joint venture, subcontractor, vendor, or material supplier, visit Disqualified/Suspended/Ineligible Firms.

How do I obtain information about upcoming bids for CIP projects?

​Information regarding anticipated bids can be obtained by clicking on the following link:

Do I have to be prequalified to submit a proposal?

​Firms do not need to be prequalified with the SCA to submit a proposal. However, a firm must be prequalified to be awarded a contract following their selection. A requirement for prequalification is that firms be registered with the New York State Division of Corporations as a New York entity. For additional information please visit the Prequalification Process page.

How can I obtain a list of the firms that were invited to submit proposals for a particular solicitation?

Contact the Contract Negotiator, overseeing the specific RFP. Contact information can be obtained at Requests for Proposal​.

If I have submitted a proposal for a specific RFP, when can I expect to be informed of the names of the selected firms?

All proposers will be notified of the names of the firms selected for contract award three to four weeks after the RFP due date.

How can I participate in the RFP process and submit proposals for the services for which my firm may qualify?

Firms must request a copy of the RFP via email from the negotiator overseeing the solicitation. The request is then forwarded to the user department to make a determination on whether the firm can receive a copy of the RFP.

Firms interested in obtaining a copy of the RFP must provide all of the following information:

1.   A description of your firm's experience including:

  • Length of time your firm has been in existence performing the services required under this RFP
  • Prior projects
  • Firms you've partnered with, the value of the portion your firm worked on, and number of years of experience.

2.  Whether your firm is prequalified with the SCA. If you don't know, you may state this. You can also check under prequalification process.

3.  The full contact information of the person to whom the RFP should be sent, including:

  • Title
  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • Street address (RFPs are not sent to PO boxes).
Is completing a SAF the first step in the prequalification process?

No. All subcontractors must submit a prequalification application prior to beginning work on an SCA project and prior to completing an SAF.

Who must complete an SAF?

​All general contractors awarded an SCA contract and their proposed subcontractors must submit a SAF through the Vendor Access System (VAS) before beginning work on the project.​​​​

Can subcontractors submit online SAFs for Mentor Projects?

No. The online SAF process does not yet include Mentor Projects. SAFs for Mentor Projects continue to be processed by Mentor Construction Managers.

Are Wicks subcontractors required to prequalify?

All Wicks subcontractors must be prequalified at the time of bid opening. In addition, for Wicks-related work that is valued at or above $1,000,000 please note that all Wicks subcontractors proposed for such work must also be prequalified for work above $1,000,000.

Can a subcontractor begin work after submitting the SAF?

Subcontractors must have a project-specific SAF in pending or approved status with an issued certificate of insurance before beginning work.

Does a general contractor or a subcontractor awarded more than one SCA project have to submit an SAF for each award?

Yes, general contractors and subcontractors must submit a separate SAF for each project and scope of work and a separate SAF for any additional work added to an existing project.

Is the status of an SAF available online to general contractors and subcontractors?

Yes. VAS provides general contractors and subcontractors with on-demand access to SAF status information and on-demand access to OCIP insurance certificates.

Does the system pre-populate from previous submissions?

Yes. Information from prior submissions is pre-populated to subsequent SAFs thereby reducing keystrokes.

How can the SAF help a general contractor determine subcontractor's qualifications?

The VAS system automatically identifies subcontractor-specific trade codes and confirms a subcontractor’s qualification and certification status.

How does a general contractor or an upper-tier subcontractor begin the SAF process?

To begin the process, general contractors and upper-tier subcontractors must access VAS, and select the Subcontractor Approval Form (SAF) link in the Project Information (Post Award) section of the homepage.

How can I download the SAF User Guide?

Click and download the SAF User Guide in PDF format.

How do I get a VAS login ID or password?

If you are listed as a SAF contact on your firm's prequalification application, login by entering your Login ID and Password on the VAS login page. If you are not listed as an SAF contact on your firm’s prequalification application, you can be added as an SAF contact. Visit the SAF User Guide for instructions.

Can I still use the paper SAF form?

No, all SAFs must be submitted through VAS.

Is there a number to call if I need more help?

If you are unable to submit the form electronically after checking the SAF User Guide or need any other assistance, contact the Prequalification Hotline at (718) 472-8777.​

Once a general contractor (GC) has been awarded a project, they must submit a Subcontractor Approval Form (SAF) for each subcontractor they intend to use on their project. This must be done before the subcontractor commences work. This ensures they are insured on the SCA jobsite.

VAS Benefits

  • Helps GCs and subcontractors coordinate as VAS automatically prompts subcontractors to provide information (e.g., licenses, apprenticeships, and insurance) after a GC inputs project-specific information and the subcontractor identifier.
  • Allows GCs to confirm subcontractor qualification and certification status and qualified trade codes, minimizing the chance of time-consuming misunderstandings.
  • Provides GC and subcontractors with on-demand access to SAF status information.
  • Provides GC and subcontractors with on-demand access to OCIP insurance certificates, in addition to the initial email already in place.
  • Carries over information from prior submissions and pre-populates subsequent SAFs to reduce keystrokes.

Requirements

  • All GCs and subcontractors, except for those in Wicks trades identified in the bid document, must complete an online SAF.
  • SAFs are project specific – GCs and subcontractors must submit a separate SAF for each project.
  • Prior to beginning work on an SCA project and completing an SAF, all subcontractors must submit a prequalification application, if they have not already done so.
  • All Wicks subcontractors whose estimated value of work is greater than $1 million, as determined by the SCA and identified in the project-specific bid documents, must be prequalified with the SCA to perform work greater than $1 million at time of the bid opening.
  • Subcontractors must have a project-specific SAF in pending or approved status before beginning work.

Process

  • GCs and upper-tier subs should go to the Vendor Access System and click on the Subcontractor Approval Form (SAF) link in the Project Information (Post Award) section of the homepage to begin the process.
  • Once it has been initiated by their GC or upper-tier sub, subcontractors will receive an email containing a link to their SAF.
  • Click to download the SAF User Guide in PDF format.

All subcontractors must complete and submit a prequalification application prior to doing business with the SCA. Subcontractors must also complete and submit a Subcontractor Approval Form (SAF) prior to beginning work on an SCA project.

Log in to the Vendor Access System (VAS) to access the SAF Guide for completing an SAF. The form is only available to firms that have been awarded an SCA contract. SAFs are project specific, and one must be submitted for each project on which a subcontractor works. The SAF identifies the subcontractor, the estimated value of the work, the type of work the subcontractor will perform, and the expected start/end dates of that work. Approval of an SAF is specific to the scope identified in the SAF.  Additional work awarded to a subcontractor by a general contractor during the life of a project requires the submission of a separate SAF for that extra work.

After a SAF is submitted in VAS, each subcontractor receives an email indicating whether the SAF is approved, pended, or denied. If denied, the subcontractor may be required to provide additional information before re-submitting the SAF.

Mentor subcontractor firms should contact their respective construction managers for SAF submission information.

All subcontractors working on SCA projects under the Owner Controlled Insurance Program (OCIP) must complete an SAF prior to working at the project site. Certificates of insurance are sent to contractors, as confirmation of enrollment in the OCIP at a particular project site. In emergency circumstances, a subcontractor including a mentor subcontractor may be required to perform an emergency before an SAF can be completed. In such cases, the form must be completed and filed within five business days of starting work at the project site to avoid any lapse in insurance coverage.

Any Wicks subcontractors proposed by a general contractor in the bid documents must be prequalified with the SCA prior to the bid opening.