Oregon centralizes diverse-business certification in one office, COBID, whose certifications are used by state agencies, local governments, ports and transit districts alike, and Portland is home to the Bonneville Power Administration. As a government contracting consultant for Oregon businesses, GERC helps small businesses in Portland, Salem, Eugene, Hillsboro and Bend get registered, get certified and win bids. We are based in California and serve Oregon clients remotely, as part of our nationwide practice.
Federal work: government contracting consultant services for Oregon businesses
- SAM.gov registration, UEI and annual renewal
- SBA 8(a), WOSB, HUBZone and SDVOSB certification
- GSA Schedule offers, federal proposals and capability statements
- Targeting Oregon’s federal buyers, including Bonneville Power Administration (headquarters, Portland), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region (Region 6), Portland, VA Portland Health Care System and Kingsley Field (173rd Fighter Wing, Oregon Air National Guard), Klamath Falls
Oregon state contracting
- OregonBuys: the state’s eProcurement system (it replaced ORPIN), run by Department of Administrative Services Procurement Services
- COBID certification through the Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity: MBE, WBE, Veteran Business Enterprise, Emerging Small Business and Oregon Small Business Enterprise
- DBE certification through COBID for ODOT and other federally funded work under the new U.S. DOT rules requiring an individual showing of disadvantage (see DBE certification)
Portland, Salem and Eugene local contracting
- Port of Portland (PDX), TriMet and City of Portland Procurement Services: vendor registration and bid opportunities
- Subcontracting with the prime contractors that serve Bonneville Power Administration and other federal sites
- Airports, transit agencies and school districts, each with its own vendor list (see vendor registration)
How our government contracting consultants help Oregon businesses
- Free readiness call: what you sell, who buys it in Oregon and what you are missing
- Registrations: SAM.gov, OregonBuys and city and county portals
- Certifications: SBA programs, state certification and DBE
- Bid targeting and subcontracting research, using our market research for government contractors
- Proposals written to score, through our bid writing services
Example: how a Portland environmental restoration firm would get started
This is an illustration of our process, not a client story.
A Portland environmental restoration firm wants work with the Bonneville Power Administration and the Corps of Engineers Portland District. First, we register it in SAM.gov, confirm its NAICS codes and check SBA certifications. Next, we research how those buyers purchase from small businesses and which contracts are coming up. After that, we register it in OregonBuys and prepare COBID certification if it qualifies.
Frequently asked questions
Can a California-based government contracting consultant help my Oregon business?
Yes. Because registrations, certifications and proposals are all filed online, we can work with clients nationwide by video call.
Do I need an OregonBuys account to sell to Oregon state agencies?
Yes. To do business with Oregon state agencies you need a free OregonBuys supplier account; OregonBuys replaced the old ORPIN system on July 1, 2021.
Do Oregon federal buyers set aside work for small businesses?
Yes. Federal agencies and military bases in Oregon buy through small business set-asides, and their prime contractors have small business subcontracting goals. SAM.gov registration and the right SBA certifications put you in position for both.
Win government contracts in Oregon
Book a free 15-minute readiness call and we will map the registrations, certifications and bids that fit your business.
Related: SAM.gov Registration · 8(a) Certification · DBE Certification · GSA Schedule Consulting · Bid Writing Services · All service areas