How to sell to Minnesota government
Minnesota posts state solicitations on the SWIFT Supplier Portal, where a quick Bidder registration lets you bid without state review first. Small businesses certified as Targeted Group, Economically Disadvantaged or Veteran-Owned can get up to a 12 percent preference on state purchases and contracts.
Facts checked
Where Minnesota posts bids
State agencies post on SWIFT Supplier Portal (Office of State Procurement solicitations).[1] State construction projects are posted separately in the Construction Virtual Plan Room on QuestCDN, not with goods and services solicitations.
Open bids in Minnesota right now
BidRover is tracking 27 open bids in Minnesota, from state agencies and local governments. Most common categories:
- Cloud & infrastructure · 17
- Utilities & telecommunications · 11
- Construction & facilities · 2
- Software & digital services · 1
- Elgin, MN: Storm Sewer Lining/Sealing - Elgin C-StoreMinnesota, United States · Due Oct 23, 2026
- telecommunications and broadband servicesMinnesota, United States · Due Nov 6, 2026
- Telecom services to be used for the provision of healthcare.Minnesota, United States · Due Nov 5, 2026
- Leased/Tariffed Facilities or Services, Network Equipment and Installation. -For Service Providers submitting a bid for individual telephone lines, please provMinnesota, United States · Due Nov 4, 2026
- Leased/Tariffed Facilities or Services, Network Equipment and Installation. -For Service Providers submitting a bid for individual telephone lines, please provMinnesota, United States · Due Nov 4, 2026
- Cook Dental: -Leased/Tariffed Facilities or Services, Network Equipment and Installation. -For Service Providers submitting a bid for individual telephone lines, please provMinnesota, United States · Due Nov 4, 2026
Busiest buyers
- Cook Area Health Services · 7 open bids
Get Minnesota bids by email
How to register, step by step
- 01
Register on SWIFT Supplier Portal registration (Bidder or Supplier)
Start registration. Cost: No fee listed by the State of Minnesota. Register as a Bidder to bid fast with minimal data and no state review; pick categories to get email notices. If you win, you must convert to a Supplier with your Tax ID (FEIN or SSN) and other details, which typically takes two days to review.[2]
- 02
Choose your commodity codes
Notifications are sent by the codes in your vendor profile. Pick every code that describes your work, and revisit them when you add a service.
- 03
Get certified if you qualify
Targeted Group (TG), Economically Disadvantaged (ED) and Veteran-Owned (VO) small business certification, through the Office of Equity in Procurement, Minnesota Department of Administration. Apply online through the Minnesota Small Business Certification Portal; a January 2024 state brochure says certified firms are eligible for up to a 12 percent preference.[3]
- 04
Watch the other buyers
Cities, counties and authorities in Minnesota post on their own sites, so check the ones you want to sell to.
What you will typically need
Exact requirements vary by portal; the registration page linked above is the authority. Most ask for:
- Your legal business name and address exactly as registered with the state, and your federal tax ID (EIN, or SSN for some sole proprietors).
- A signed IRS Form W-9, which most buyers collect before they can pay you.
- Commodity codes (NIGP, UNSPSC or NAICS, depending on the portal) for every product and service you sell.
- A contact who will receive bid notices, plus any business license or registration the jurisdiction requires.
- Certificates of insurance and, for construction, bonding capacity: these are usually requested per bid rather than at registration.
Certification programs
| Program | Certifying office | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Targeted Group (TG), Economically Disadvantaged (ED) and Veteran-Owned (VO) small business certification | Office of Equity in Procurement, Minnesota Department of Administration | Apply online through the Minnesota Small Business Certification Portal; a January 2024 state brochure says certified firms are eligible for up to a 12 percent preference. |
Tips
- Register as a Bidder to respond quickly; you only need full Supplier registration once you are selected for an award.
- The same certification portal also handles federal DBE and the CERT SBE/MBE/WBE program used by Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Minneapolis and Saint Paul.
Related guides
Questions
Where does Minnesota post government bids?
State agencies post on SWIFT Supplier Portal (Office of State Procurement solicitations) (https://mn.gov/supplier). Many cities, counties and authorities in Minnesota post on their own sites as well, so check the ones you want to sell to.
How do I register as a vendor with Minnesota?
Register through SWIFT Supplier Portal registration (Bidder or Supplier) (https://mn.gov/supplier). Cost: No fee listed by the State of Minnesota. Register as a Bidder to bid fast with minimal data and no state review; pick categories to get email notices. If you win, you must convert to a Supplier with your Tax ID (FEIN or SSN) and other details, which typically takes two days to review.
Does Minnesota certify small or diverse businesses?
Targeted Group (TG), Economically Disadvantaged (ED) and Veteran-Owned (VO) small business certification (Office of Equity in Procurement, Minnesota Department of Administration): Apply online through the Minnesota Small Business Certification Portal; a January 2024 state brochure says certified firms are eligible for up to a 12 percent preference.