How to register as a vendor with City of Charlotte
Charlotte takes bids and proposals through its Bonfire Procurement Portal, while supplier setup is a separate form that creates a Workday Supplier Portal account. Since July 1, 2026, state law bars minority and women business goals, so only small business (SBE) goals remain in city contracts.
Facts checked
Where City of Charlotte posts bids
City of Charlotte posts its solicitations on City of Charlotte Procurement Portal (Bonfire).[1] Proposals must be uploaded and finalized in the Bonfire portal before the due date; questions go through the Vendor Discussions section of each project.
Changed recently: Effective July 1, 2026, Session Law 2026-41 ended North Carolina local governments' authority to use race- and gender-conscious contracting rules; Charlotte no longer includes MBE/WBE/MWBE goals, but SBE goals continue under CBI.[4]
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How to register, step by step
- 01
Register on City of Charlotte Supplier Registration (Workday Supplier Portal)
Start registration. Cost: No fee listed by the City of Charlotte. Fill out the Supplier Registration form (a SeamlessDocs form with a digital signature); allow 48 hours. Supplier Admin reviews it and creates your Workday access, used for contacts, banking, purchase orders and payments.[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
Charlotte Business INClusion (CBI) Small Business Enterprise (SBE), through the City of Charlotte Office of Charlotte Business INClusion. City-certified firms are listed in the InclusionCLT system; SBE goals still apply after the 2026 state law.[3]
- 04
Watch the other buyers
State agencies in North Carolina 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 Charlotte 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte Business INClusion (CBI) Small Business Enterprise (SBE) | City of Charlotte Office of Charlotte Business INClusion | City-certified firms are listed in the InclusionCLT system; SBE goals still apply after the 2026 state law. |
Tips
- Bonfire registration and Workday supplier registration are separate steps.
- Primes on CBI contracts report subcontractor payments in InclusionCLT.
Related guides
Questions
Where does City of Charlotte post government bids?
City of Charlotte posts its bids on City of Charlotte Procurement Portal (Bonfire) (https://charlottenc.bonfirehub.com). 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 Charlotte?
Register through City of Charlotte Supplier Registration (Workday Supplier Portal) (https://www.charlottenc.gov/Growth-and-Development/Doing-Business/Vendor-Registration). Cost: No fee listed by the City of Charlotte. Fill out the Supplier Registration form (a SeamlessDocs form with a digital signature); allow 48 hours. Supplier Admin reviews it and creates your Workday access, used for contacts, banking, purchase orders and payments.
Does City of Charlotte certify small or diverse businesses?
Charlotte Business INClusion (CBI) Small Business Enterprise (SBE) (City of Charlotte Office of Charlotte Business INClusion): City-certified firms are listed in the InclusionCLT system; SBE goals still apply after the 2026 state law.
Sources
- charlottenc.gov/files/content/city/v/1/growth-and-development/doing-business/contract-opportunities/roofinspectionmaint/rfp269.2026.188.pdf
- charlottenc.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/2/growth-and-development/doing-business-with-the-city/documents/vendor-forms/external-suppliers-in-workday-qrg.pdf
- charlotte.diversitycompliance.com/
- ww.charmeck.org/docs/Clerks%20Office/Agenda%202026/business-agenda-9-14-26.pdf