How to register as a vendor with City of Fort Worth
Fort Worth asks suppliers to register twice: once in the PeopleSoft Supplier Portal, which every supplier needs, and again on Bonfire, where all procurements posted since January 1, 2024 are advertised and collected. Bonfire registration is free and uses NIGP codes for bid alerts.
Facts checked
Where City of Fort Worth posts bids
City of Fort Worth posts its solicitations on City of Fort Worth Bonfire portal.[1] All procurements posted on or after January 1, 2024, including engineering RFQs, are advertised and collected on Bonfire.
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How to register, step by step
- 01
Register on PeopleSoft Supplier Portal (plus Bonfire account for bidding)
Start registration. Cost: Free (Bonfire); no fee listed for the Supplier Portal. Get an approved Supplier ID in the PeopleSoft Supplier Portal, then register a user on that account; the city cannot edit supplier accounts for you. On Bonfire, select every NIGP code that applies.[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
Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Certification, through the City of Fort Worth Economic Development (certified by NCTRCA, WBCS, DFW Business Council or TUCP). Needs a principal place of business in Tarrant, Wise, Johnson, Parker or Denton County; gives a 5% bid preference on contracts up to $100,000.[3]
- 04
Watch the other buyers
State agencies in Texas 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 Fort Worth 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Certification | City of Fort Worth Economic Development (certified by NCTRCA, WBCS, DFW Business Council or TUCP) | Needs a principal place of business in Tarrant, Wise, Johnson, Parker or Denton County; gives a 5% bid preference on contracts up to $100,000. |
Tips
- Register in the PeopleSoft Supplier Portal even if you never bid, since the city requires it of all suppliers.
Related guides
Questions
Where does City of Fort Worth post government bids?
City of Fort Worth posts its bids on City of Fort Worth Bonfire portal (https://fortworthtexas.bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab=login). 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 Fort Worth?
Register through PeopleSoft Supplier Portal (plus Bonfire account for bidding) (https://www.fortworthtexas.gov/departments/finance/purchasing/register). Cost: Free (Bonfire); no fee listed for the Supplier Portal. Get an approved Supplier ID in the PeopleSoft Supplier Portal, then register a user on that account; the city cannot edit supplier accounts for you. On Bonfire, select every NIGP code that applies.
Does City of Fort Worth certify small or diverse businesses?
Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Certification (City of Fort Worth Economic Development (certified by NCTRCA, WBCS, DFW Business Council or TUCP)): Needs a principal place of business in Tarrant, Wise, Johnson, Parker or Denton County; gives a 5% bid preference on contracts up to $100,000.