RFPs and Business Opportunities

Vendor, contractor and bidding information

For its ongoing operations and for special projects and initiatives, the Wisconsin Center District purchases a wide variety of products and services from outside vendors and contractors. Expenditures for major projects or initiatives are subject to a Request for Quotation (RFQs) or Request for Proposal (RFPs) process.

Current Requests for Proposals, Requests for Qualifications and Invitations to Bid:

4.19.21 Baird Center Expansion Commissioning RFP

5.1.2023 Loading Dock Coating RFP

5.1.2023 Loading Dock Expansion Joint RFP

5.31.2023 Public Bid Opening: Loading Dock Expansion Joint

5.31.2023 Public Bid Opening: Loading Dock Coating

Disadvantaged/Minority/Women-owned Business Enterprise participation

The Wisconsin Center District has a progressive policy to assure maximum economic participation by small (SBE), disadvantaged (DBE), minority-owned (MBE) and women-owned (WBE) business enterprises for construction and other services in its facilities. When established for the Wisconsin Center (now Baird Center) construction project in 1996, this policy was the strongest such commitment in the history of publicly-owned projects in Wisconsin, and, along with the District’s Technical Assistance initiatives, it became an effective model for others. For day-to-day purchasing and special projects, the District continues to employ similar requirements, which include:

At least 25% of the aggregate percent of contracts, as well as the aggregate dollar value of all contracts awarded by the District for construction and services shall be awarded to minority-owned enterprises (MBEs), and at least 5% shall be awarded to women-owned enterprises (WBEs), as defined in sections 66.905(1)(a), 560.036(1)(f) and (229.46(1)(c) of the Wisconsin Statutes. The District accepts DBE/MBE/WBE certification by the state or by the City of Milwaukee/Milwaukee County Joint Certification Program.

All persons receiving a contract from the District will make a commitment that at least 25% of the employees hired because of the contract will be minority group members, and at least 5% of the employees hired because of the contract will be women.

The District will afford SBEs, DBEs, MBEs and WBEs full opportunity to submit Proposals in response to its advertised solicitations, and will ensure that no one is discriminated against, on the grounds of sex, race, national origin, color, religious belief, age, disability or sexual orientation, in the awarding of any District contract or in subsequent project participation.

Levy Restaurants Third-Party Vendor program

Levy Restaurants has developed a unique management program designed to create and enhance opportunities for minority-owned and women-owned businesses in the food and beverage service industry. Participating “Third-Party Vendors” provide cash concessions and specialty foods for events in Baird Center, UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena and Miller High Life Theatre. Several firms have “graduated” from this program to become successful independent businesses operating out of their own facilities!

To learn more about becoming a Third-Party Vendor, please contact:

Soccorro Perez
Concessions Manager
414-908-6271
sperez@wcd.org