Vendor Handbook
The purpose of the Vendor Handbook is focused on keeping new vendors and contractors informed and making it as easy as possible to work with the City of Portland by providing the tools and resources you need.
Become a Registered Vendor
There are four separate vendor registrations needed to do business with the City of Portland. Each registration is a fairly short, one-time process. After you complete your registration once, it is likely that you'll never have to do it again.
1. Register Your Business with the Oregon Business Registry
To do business in the State of Oregon, your business must be registered with the State. You may contact the Secretary of State Corporation Division at 503-986-2200 or go online to register.
2. Make Sure Your Portland Business License Tax Account is Current
To do business with the City, your Portland Business Tax account must be in compliance. To be in compliance, you must:
- Have a Portland Business Tax account and,
- File and pay the City of Portland business tax annually if your business is "doing business" in the City.
This applies to resident, non-resident, and tax-exempt vendors.
3. Register with BuySpeed
The City requires your business to be registered in Buyspeed, our online vendor portal. In BuySpeed, you can also view bid opportunities and sign up to be notified of bid opportunities.
By registering your business, you will receive notices about solicitations that match the NIGP commodity codes you select. Registering also gives you the opportunity to certify your business as an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Equal Benefits (EB) compliant business.
See the document below for step-by-step instructions for vendor registration in BuySpeed.
BuySpeed Vendor Registration Instructions
Need help with BuySpeed? Contact BuyspeedVendorHelp@portlandoregon.gov or call 503-865-6155.
4. Get Setup as a New Vendor in SAP
SAP is a resource planning software that incorporates key business functions at the City of Portland. After winning work with the City, vendors will need to be setup in SAP to get paid (excluding payments using Procurement Cards). To get setup in SAP and get paid, vendors/contractors must fill out and return the following forms:
- Vendor Master Request Form (after winning work, your bureau contact should be able to do this on your behalf)
- Download IRS W9 (Revision October 2018) form (doesn't apply to businesses outside of the United States)
- Download ACH Vendor Payment Authorization form (only applies to businesses with bank accounts in the United States)
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Contracting Resources
Find resources for how your business may qualify for equity-based certifications.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Contracting Page
Post Award Compliance
Apply for Contractor Prequalification (Construction Only)
Contractors interested in bidding as a prime on a public improvement projects with an engineer’s estimate of $500,000 or greater, must be prequalified with the City of Portland. The online application process takes about 1 hour to complete. Prequalifications are typically issued within 30 days.
Additional Contractor Requirements (Construction Only)
Review additional requirements
Procurement Portland City Codes
City Code 3.100 Equal Opportunity
City Code 5.33 Goods and Services
City Code 5.34 Public Improvements and Construction Services
City Code 5.68 Professional Service Contracts