How to register as a vendor with Cook County
Cook County's Office of the Chief Procurement Officer posts all solicitations on the Bonfire Vendor Portal and takes responses only online, not on paper. Formal Invitations for Bid cover contracts over $25,000, and the County shares a reciprocal MBE/WBE certification program with the City of Chicago.
Facts checked
Where Cook County posts bids
Cook County posts its solicitations on Cook County Bonfire Vendor Portal.[1] Bonfire covers County departments, but the Forest Preserves, Cook County Health and the Housing Authority post their own bids separately.
Changed recently: Updated City of Chicago and Cook County reciprocal certification rules (January 2025) set a single host agency per firm and drop certification expiration dates.[2]
Open bids in Cook County right now
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How to register, step by step
- 01
Register on Bonfire vendor account
Start registration. Cost: No fee listed by the County. Register in Bonfire to view and download solicitations, ask the buyer questions and submit bids in your browser. You can also see in real time which firms have downloaded a solicitation.[1]
- 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
City of Chicago and Cook County Reciprocal Certification Program (MBE/WBE), through the Cook County Center for Business Enterprise Development / City of Chicago. Apply to one host agency; it must decide within 90 days of a complete file, and certification stays in place unless removed.[2]
- 04
Watch the other buyers
State agencies in Illinois buy through the state portal, and school districts, transit agencies and utilities in the area usually post on their own sites. Registering with Cook County 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 |
|---|---|---|
| City of Chicago and Cook County Reciprocal Certification Program (MBE/WBE) | Cook County Center for Business Enterprise Development / City of Chicago | Apply to one host agency; it must decide within 90 days of a complete file, and certification stays in place unless removed. |
When a formal bid is required
Invitations for Bid are used for contracts over $25,000; purchases under $25,000 use a streamlined small purchase process.[3]
Tips
- The County has no paper bids; every response goes through Bonfire.
- Under the 2025 reciprocal rules, new MBE/WBE applicants pick one host agency, City or County, and that certification counts for both.
Related guides
Questions
Where does Cook County post government bids?
Cook County posts its bids on Cook County Bonfire Vendor Portal (https://cookcountyil.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 Cook County?
Register through Bonfire vendor account (https://cookcountyil.bonfirehub.com/). Cost: No fee listed by the County. Register in Bonfire to view and download solicitations, ask the buyer questions and submit bids in your browser. You can also see in real time which firms have downloaded a solicitation.
Does Cook County certify small or diverse businesses?
City of Chicago and Cook County Reciprocal Certification Program (MBE/WBE) (Cook County Center for Business Enterprise Development / City of Chicago): Apply to one host agency; it must decide within 90 days of a complete file, and certification stays in place unless removed.
When does Cook County require a formal bid?
Invitations for Bid are used for contracts over $25,000; purchases under $25,000 use a streamlined small purchase process.