How Do I Sign Up to Receive Bids?
Who in Purchasing Handles What I Sell?
Which Department Handles Major Construction Projects?
What Does the City Do with Surplus Items?
What are the Requirements to do Business with the City?

After doing the necessary research to determine that the City buys what you sell, and that it would be worthwhile for your firm to become aware of upcoming bids, you may register to receive such bid notifications through City of Tampa service partner DemandStar. DemandStar will provide to its subscribers automatic notification, via email or fax, of upcoming bid solicitations that match your business. The bids you are sent will depend on the commodities or services identified with this service and the Counties for which you register. If you wish to sign up to receive bids from only one agency the service is FREE.

Please note that completing a Vendor Form (subscribing with DemandStar) is not the same as getting certified as a W/MBE or signing up for the City's Small Local Business Enterprise (SLBE) Program. You must submit a separate W/MBE certification form or SLBE Application to the Minority Business Development Office located at TMOB, 306 East Jackson Street, 7th Floor, Tampa, FL, 33602.

Also, the Contract Administration Department, which bids out major construction/engineering projects maintains an independent vendor list for many of these services. Please contact this department to learn more about their procedures.

The City has recently implemented a Job Order Contracting (JOC) program for small to medium sized construction projects. Subcontracting opportunities within the JOC program are be posted on eGordian. The eGordian flyer provides further information about registering for access to this system.

In Purchasing, the Buyers are assigned certain products and services, based on the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP) commodity class numbers. The Buyer Commodity Class Table, lists which buyer handles what groups of goods and services.

The Purchasing Phone Directory lists the telephone numbers for key personnel in the Purchasing Department.

The Bid Schedule contains a listing of the Purchasing Department's upcoming Invitations to Bid (ITB) and Request for Proposals (RFP) with their opening dates and times. (Hosted by Demandstar). Please note that tabulation information can be found on the Demandstar website for bids opened since November, 2004.

The Contract Administration Department bids out construction and/or engineering, architectural and consulting projects for other City Public Works and Utility Service departments (such as the Stormwater Department, the Wastewater Department, the Water Department and the Department of Public Works).

For information on possible projects in these areas you may link to their respective city web pages, or contact Jim Greiner, P.E., Contract Manager, Contract Administration Department at (813) 274-8598.

The City processes an Invitation to Bid for commonly occurring surplus items, such as Automobiles, Scrap Metal, Tires, and Electronics. These Sale of Bids are processed through Demandstar. Unique items that come up for sale on a one-time basis are alternately posted to Public Surplus or GovDeals.

All purchases over $100,000, or those with a formal agreement, require City Council Approval by Resolution. City Council meetings are held every Thursday at 9:00 a.m. in Council Chambers (Located on the third floor of historic City Hall, 315 E. Kennedy Blvd.) to enact legislation pertaining to general city business. All meetings are open to the Public to participate in our legislative process. The Tampa City Council is a legislative branch of City Government and operates in accordance with the provisions of the 1974 Revised Charter of the City of Tampa. The City Council is responsible for enacting ordinances and resolutions that the Mayor of Tampa administers as chief executive officer. For further information, please contact the Tampa City Council at (813)274-8131.

All vendors and contracts performing work on City property, regardless of the dollar amount, are required to provide proof of insurance. The City's Insurance Requirements and a sample ACORD 25, Certificate of Liability Insurance can be found on the Purchasing Department’s Information Resource Webpage.