How to register as a vendor with City of Baltimore
Baltimore City moved its purchasing system from CitiBuy to Workday, and new suppliers now register through the City's Prospective Supplier Registration Portal. The business name you enter must exactly match line 1 of your IRS Form W-9.
Facts checked
Where City of Baltimore posts bids
City of Baltimore posts its solicitations on Workday bid opportunities (Bureau of Procurement).[1] You can view open Bureau of Procurement bids without registering, but must register as a supplier to bid; Housing & Community Development, the Baltimore Development Corporation and the Parking Authority post some bids separately.
Changed recently: The CitiBuy site now says Baltimore City's purchasing system has moved to Workday; CitiBuy remains only as an archive for City users.[4]
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How to register, step by step
- 01
Register on Prospective Supplier Registration Portal (Workday)
Start registration. Cost: No fee listed by the City. Submit your TIN, contact and business information, and a current signed and dated W-9. Most registrations are reviewed within two business days. If you got a City payment, purchase order or invoice after June 14, 2020, you already have an account.[2]
- 02
Have your Contractor prequalification
Design consultants and construction-related firms must prequalify with the Office of Boards and Commissions to bid on City contracts of $50,000 and above.[1]
- 03
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.
- 04
Get certified if you qualify
Baltimore City MBE/WBE Certification, through the Mayor's Office of Small and Minority Business Advocacy & Development (SMBA&D). 51% minority- or woman-owned, in operation 12 months, with an office in the Baltimore City market area; review typically within 60 days; valid two years.[3]
- 05
Watch the other buyers
State agencies in Maryland buy through the state portal, and school districts, transit agencies and utilities in the area usually post on their own sites. Registering with City of Baltimore does not register you with them.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore City MBE/WBE Certification | Mayor's Office of Small and Minority Business Advocacy & Development (SMBA&D) | 51% minority- or woman-owned, in operation 12 months, with an office in the Baltimore City market area; review typically within 60 days; valid two years. |
When a formal bid is required
Prequalification is required for design consultants and construction-related firms bidding on City contracts of $50,000 and above.[1]
Related guides
Questions
Where does City of Baltimore post government bids?
City of Baltimore posts its bids on Workday bid opportunities (Bureau of Procurement) (https://cityservices.baltimorecity.gov/suppliers/bid-opportunities). Other local buyers nearby, such as school districts, transit agencies and utilities, usually post separately.
How do I register as a vendor with City of Baltimore?
Register through Prospective Supplier Registration Portal (Workday) (https://cityservices.baltimorecity.gov/suppliers/). Cost: No fee listed by the City. Submit your TIN, contact and business information, and a current signed and dated W-9. Most registrations are reviewed within two business days. If you got a City payment, purchase order or invoice after June 14, 2020, you already have an account.
What do I need before registering with City of Baltimore?
Contractor prequalification: Design consultants and construction-related firms must prequalify with the Office of Boards and Commissions to bid on City contracts of $50,000 and above.
Does City of Baltimore certify small or diverse businesses?
Baltimore City MBE/WBE Certification (Mayor's Office of Small and Minority Business Advocacy & Development (SMBA&D)): 51% minority- or woman-owned, in operation 12 months, with an office in the Baltimore City market area; review typically within 60 days; valid two years.
When does City of Baltimore require a formal bid?
Prequalification is required for design consultants and construction-related firms bidding on City contracts of $50,000 and above.