How to do Business with the City

To become a vendor for the City, go to Austin Finance Online and register. Registering requires providing information such as Legal Name and Tax ID.

Vendor Connection provides a public clearinghouse of detailed information about current business opportunities with the City of Austin.

On Austin Finance Online:

• Create a subscriber account.
• Subscribe to solicitation notifications.
• Download solicitation documents.
• Review public solicitation openings. Results of public solicitation openings are posted online.
• Registered vendors can manage their accounts and view reports of business activity with the City.

MBE/WBE Certification

Firms can become a certified Minority-owned or Women-owned Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE), contact the City’s Small and Minority Business Resources Department for assistance. 

Learn more about all the services provided by SMBR or contact the office at 512-974-7600.

How the City Buys Goods/Services

The City of Austin makes purchases on the open market, by informal or formal requests, or utilizing cooperative contracts.

The City makes purchases based on dollar ranges:

• $0 - $3,000

Purchases made based on a single quote and may be authorized and/or paid using a purchasing order or purchasing card.

• $3,000.01 - $50,000

Purchases made based on an informal request with a minimum of three quotes, with attempts made to obtain at least two quotes from a certified Women or Minority Owned Business

• $50,000.01 and above

Purchases made based on a formal solicitation and may require approval by the City Council

Procurement Information

• Standard Bid Documents
• Bid Opening Webinars
• Bid Tabulations
• Registered Vendor Search
• MBE/WBE Reports
• Expiring Contracts List
• NIGP Commodity Search

Policies, Rules & Ordinances

• Conflict of Interest Disclosure
• Probation, Suspension, Debarment
• MBE/WBE Ordinance
• MWBE Procurement Rules

Anti-Lobbying Ordinance

The City’s Anti-Lobbying Ordinance restricts vendor communication solely to the Purchasing Office’s authorized contact. Questions about the ordinance should be directed to the Purchasing Office.

• Anti-Lobbying Ordinance
• No Lobbying List

No Gift Policy

City of Austin employees are not allowed to accept gifts from vendors. This includes paying for meals. If you customarily send a token of appreciation to your customers, the City asks that you not send any item to City employees or offices.