How to register as a vendor with City of Detroit
Detroit's Office of Contracting and Procurement takes bids through a Bonfire portal and uses its Oracle Supplier Portal only after award, for contracts, purchase orders and invoices. Contracts of $50,000 and over need City Council approval.
Facts checked
Where City of Detroit posts bids
City of Detroit posts its solicitations on City of Detroit Bonfire e-bidding portal.[1] Find and answer bids on Bonfire; Oracle is for contracts, purchase orders and invoices after award.
Changed recently: Detroit began a phased move of bidding from Oracle to Bonfire in 2025; Oracle continues to handle post-bid activity.[2]
Open bids in City of Detroit right now
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Get City of Detroit bids by email
How to register, step by step
- 01
Register on Bonfire vendor account
Start registration. Cost: Free. All vendors responding to City bids must have a Bonfire account; add your commodities when you register. If you win, you also register in the Oracle Supplier Portal with an email, tax ID and administrative contact.[2]
- 02
Have your Oracle Supplier Portal registration
Required after award to receive a purchase order and submit invoices.[3]
- 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
Detroit Business Opportunity Program (DBB, DHB, DSB, MBE, WBE and others), through the Civil Rights, Inclusion & Opportunity Department (CRIO). Most types need one taxable year in business; a fee is invoiced after the site visit; processing is generally within 45 days.[4]
- 05
Watch the other buyers
State agencies in Michigan 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 Detroit 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Business Opportunity Program (DBB, DHB, DSB, MBE, WBE and others) | Civil Rights, Inclusion & Opportunity Department (CRIO) | Most types need one taxable year in business; a fee is invoiced after the site visit; processing is generally within 45 days. |
When a formal bid is required
Contracts of $50,000 and over require City Council approval.[3]
Tips
- Upload a valid CRIO certificate with your bid to get local preference credits.
Related guides
Questions
Where does City of Detroit post government bids?
City of Detroit posts its bids on City of Detroit Bonfire e-bidding portal (https://detroit.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 Detroit?
Register through Bonfire vendor account (https://detroit.bonfirehub.com/). Cost: Free. All vendors responding to City bids must have a Bonfire account; add your commodities when you register. If you win, you also register in the Oracle Supplier Portal with an email, tax ID and administrative contact.
What do I need before registering with City of Detroit?
Oracle Supplier Portal registration: Required after award to receive a purchase order and submit invoices.
Does City of Detroit certify small or diverse businesses?
Detroit Business Opportunity Program (DBB, DHB, DSB, MBE, WBE and others) (Civil Rights, Inclusion & Opportunity Department (CRIO)): Most types need one taxable year in business; a fee is invoiced after the site visit; processing is generally within 45 days.
When does City of Detroit require a formal bid?
Contracts of $50,000 and over require City Council approval.
Sources
- detroitmi.gov/departments/office-chief-financial-officer/ocfo-divisions/office-contracting-and-procurement/supplier-support
- detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2025-09/Bonfire%20FAQ_9.23.25.pdf
- detroitmi.gov/departments/office-chief-financial-officer/ocfo-divisions/office-contracting-and-procurement/contracting-city-detroit-step-step
- detroitmi.gov/departments/civil-rights-inclusion-opportunity-department/detroit-business-opportunity-program