GERC’s vendor registration services get your business registered with the federal, state and local agencies that buy what you sell, and keep those registrations current. Every agency keeps its own vendor list, so a business that is missing from it never hears about the bid. We handle vendor registration and supplier registration for clients nationwide and across California.
Why vendor registration matters
- Agencies can only pay registered vendors. Most will not award a contract or issue a purchase order until you are in their system.
- Registration is how bids reach you. Many portals send solicitations only to vendors registered under the right commodity or NAICS codes.
- Every agency is separate. SAM.gov does not register you with California, and Cal eProcure does not register you with a city, county or school district.
- Registrations expire. SAM.gov renews every year, and many local portals lock inactive profiles. A lapsed registration can cost you an award.
Federal vendor registration
- SAM.gov registration and annual SAM.gov renewal
- UEI and entity validation, the step where most first registrations stall
- SBA and DSBS profile setup, so contracting officers can find you in search
- DLA DIBBS and JCP registration for defense suppliers
California state vendor registration
- Cal eProcure registration as a California state bidder
- DIR public works contractor registration, required before you bid public works
- California SB and SB-PW certification and DVBE certification, which add bid preferences to your registration
Local agency and school district vendor registration
Cities, counties, school districts, transit agencies and special districts each run their own vendor portals, often on platforms such as PlanetBids, BidNet Direct or OpenGov. We register you with the agencies that buy in your line of work, including:
- Los Angeles County and the City of Los Angeles
- LA Metro and Long Beach
- Riverside County and San Bernardino County
- San Diego County
- School districts, community colleges and transit agencies
Supplier registration with prime contractors and corporations
Large prime contractors, utilities and corporations run supplier portals of their own, often tied to supplier diversity programs. We complete supplier registration with the primes you want to work with, and help you add MBE and WBE certification or 8(a), HUBZone and WOSB status so you count toward their goals.
How our vendor registration service works
- We review your business and the agencies that buy what you sell
- We choose the portals and the commodity and NAICS codes that match your work
- We prepare consistent business information so every registration matches SAM.gov and your tax records
- We complete each registration and confirm it is active
- We track renewals and profile updates so nothing lapses
After registration, our renewals and compliance maintenance services keep every profile current, and our bid writing services help you respond when the solicitations arrive.
Client example
Blacktop Construction: we handled city vendor registrations, SAM.gov registration and SB certification, getting the company registered where its buyers are.
Grease Monkey: we researched whether the business was ready to work with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and completed its vendor registration.
Vendor registration by state
Every state runs its own vendor portal. See the portals and programs we handle in Texas, Florida, New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Arizona, Nevada, Massachusetts, Washington State and every market we serve.
Vendor registration FAQ
What is vendor registration?
Vendor registration is the process of adding your business to an agency’s list of approved suppliers. It lets the agency send you solicitations, award you contracts and pay you.
Is vendor registration free?
Almost always. SAM.gov, Cal eProcure and most local portals charge nothing to register. Our fee covers preparing, submitting and maintaining the registrations for you.
What is the difference between vendor registration and supplier registration?
They mean much the same thing. Government agencies usually say vendor registration, while prime contractors and corporations more often say supplier registration.
Do I need SAM.gov to work with cities and counties?
Not usually. SAM.gov is for federal contracts and grants. Cities, counties and school districts have their own portals, though some federally funded local projects also ask for a SAM.gov registration or UEI.
How many agencies should I register with?
Start with the agencies that already buy what you sell in your area. We identify them first, so you are not maintaining registrations that never produce bids.
Do you register businesses outside California?
Yes. Federal registrations work nationwide, and we can register you with state and local portals in other states too.
Get registered where your buyers are
Tell us what you sell and where you want to work. We will list the agencies to register with and handle the rest.