Pre-bid meetings (also called pre-bid or pre-proposal conferences) are common for construction, facility services and complex purchases. They may include a site walk-through.
Mandatory vs. optional
Read the notice carefully. If the meeting is mandatory, the county will usually reject bids from companies that didn't sign in. Arrive early, sign the attendance sheet with your legal company name, and keep a copy or photo.
Why attend even when it's optional
- You hear the county's priorities and concerns first-hand.
- You see the site and conditions, which affects pricing.
- You learn who else is bidding (the sign-in sheet is often public).
- Questions asked there may lead to an addendum.
Verbal answers at the meeting usually aren't binding; only written addenda change the bid documents.