How to register as a vendor with County of Orange
The County of Orange moved its bids to OpenGov on July 1, 2023, and vendor registration there is free. Certified Orange County Local Small Businesses and DVBEs, both of which must be certified by California DGS, get a 5% bid preference, or 8% when a firm holds both.
Facts checked
Where County of Orange posts bids
County of Orange posts its solicitations on County of Orange OpenGov Procurement Portal.[1] All County Procurement Office bids are in OpenGov; older guides pointing to BidSync are out of date.
Changed recently: The County switched its eProcurement system to OpenGov on July 1, 2023.[1]
Open bids in County of Orange right now
BidRover is tracking 2 open bids from buyers in and around County of Orange. Most common categories:
- Construction & facilities · 2
Get County of Orange bids by email
How to register, step by step
- 01
Register on OpenGov vendor account
Start registration. Cost: Free. Select Subscribe in OpenGov to create an account and get email alerts for County bids and RFPs. Use the Follow button on a solicitation to get its addenda, and submit questions and responses electronically.[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
Orange County Local Small Business (OCLSB) preference, through the County Procurement Office (requires California DGS Small Business certification). Headquarters in Orange County plus DGS Small Business certification; submit the certificate and signed affirmation with your bid. Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) preference, through the California Department of General Services (DGS). DGS DVBE certification must be valid at bid time.[2][2]
- 04
Watch the other buyers
State agencies in California buy through the state portal, and school districts, transit agencies and utilities in the area usually post on their own sites. Registering with County of Orange 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Orange County Local Small Business (OCLSB) preference | County Procurement Office (requires California DGS Small Business certification) | Headquarters in Orange County plus DGS Small Business certification; submit the certificate and signed affirmation with your bid. |
| Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) preference | California Department of General Services (DGS) | DGS DVBE certification must be valid at bid time. |
When a formal bid is required
Public works contracts of $220,000 or less may use informal bidding under Public Contract Code Section 22032.[3]
Tips
- On Invitations for Bid, the OCLSB/DVBE preference is a 5% deduction from your bid price, capped at $100,000, for evaluation only.
- Get DGS Small Business or DVBE certification before bidding; the preference needs a valid certificate at submission.
Related guides
Questions
Where does County of Orange post government bids?
County of Orange posts its bids on County of Orange OpenGov Procurement Portal (https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/ocgov). Other local buyers nearby, such as school districts, transit agencies and utilities, usually post separately.
How do I register as a vendor with County of Orange?
Register through OpenGov vendor account (https://cpo.oc.gov/doing-business-oc/vendor-registration). Cost: Free. Select Subscribe in OpenGov to create an account and get email alerts for County bids and RFPs. Use the Follow button on a solicitation to get its addenda, and submit questions and responses electronically.
Does County of Orange certify small or diverse businesses?
Orange County Local Small Business (OCLSB) preference (County Procurement Office (requires California DGS Small Business certification)): Headquarters in Orange County plus DGS Small Business certification; submit the certificate and signed affirmation with your bid. Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) preference (California Department of General Services (DGS)): DGS DVBE certification must be valid at bid time.
When does County of Orange require a formal bid?
Public works contracts of $220,000 or less may use informal bidding under Public Contract Code Section 22032.