Contracting Opportunities
The City of Tacoma invites qualified suppliers to submit bids and proposals for posted solicitations. To get updates on new solicitations, please subscribe to each page below, as applicable.
The City of Tacoma publishes and distributes solicitation documents in electronic form, either on the City’s Purchasing website (tacomapurchasing.org) or in SAP Ariba. A Request for Bids (RFB) seeks competitive bids for a specific project or service, typically with clear specifications. A Request for Proposals (RFP) asks for detailed proposals and solutions from vendors to address a particular need or problem. A Request for Quotations (RFQ) seeks price quotations for specific items or services, often with a focus on cost comparisons. Lastly, a Request for Information (RFI) is used to gather general information about potential suppliers or solutions without commitment to purchase. To submit a bid or proposal, follow the instructions outlined in the solicitation’s specification document. In some solicitations, large technical drawings or blueprints may be available in hard copy format, distributed through a designated plan distribution service. If applicable, such information will be provided in the specific solicitation document. Please note that specifications are not provided by postal or delivery service or by email.
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Register as a City Supplier
Register as a City of Tacoma SupplierRegister as a City of Tacoma Supplier through SAP Ariba to receive notifications for solicitations in your business category. When a matching opportunity is posted, you’ll be notified. The City uses SAP Ariba for supplier registration, bidding, contract management, and electronic purchase orders and invoicing.
Subscribe to Solicitation Category Updates
If you want to receive general updates on solicitations within specific categories, you must subscribe to each category page of interest. To subscribe, visit the page for each category and click “Subscribe to New Solicitations” to receive notifications.
This includes:
- Services Solicitations
- Supplies Solicitations
- Public Works & Improvements Solicitations
- Small Works Solicitations
- Surplus Solicitations
Register for a Specific Solicitation’s Updates
If you are interested in a particular solicitation, you must register as a bid holder for that specific solicitation using the Specification Number. This will assist you in receiving any amendments, addenda, or changes to that bid document.
Register for the Bid Holder List for each Solicitation View Current Bid Holder List to Verify RegistrationAssistance & Public Records Requests
For questions or additional assistance, email bids@tacoma.gov.
If you need solicitation or contract documents, please submit a Public Records Request.
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Submittals must be received by the City’s Procurement and Payables Division before 11 a.m. Pacific Time. Sealed submittals for formal Request for Bids (RFB) are opened every Tuesday at 11:15 a.m. by a purchasing representative.
The bid opening is conducted in person at the Tacoma Public Utilities Administrative Building North, 3628 S. 35th Street, Tacoma, WA 98409, Conference Room M-1 (main floor), and virtually through the Zoom link below.
Please note: Informal/Unsealed RFBs, Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Requests for Qualifications (RFQs), and Requests for Information (RFI) are not read aloud at bid openings. Results for these solicitations will be posted after 1 p.m. on the day they are due to our website: tacomapurchasing.org.
If no formal RFBs are scheduled, the public bid opening will not be held.
Join Tuesday 11:15 a.m. Zoom Meeting
Or call: 1 (253) 215-8782 | Meeting ID: 884 0268 0573 | Passcode: 070737
Our Bid Results web page has preliminary and final bid results.
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Please be aware that revisions to a solicitation document may be issued after it has been published. Your bid or proposal may be rejected if you fail to acknowledge any amendments or submit your response based on the revised specifications or instructions. Be sure to check the City of Tacoma Purchasing web page regularly for updates to solicitations.
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City of Tacoma MRP Items – Substitutions
Unless an item is labeled “No Substitute,” brand names are intended to indicate the desired standard of quality, performance, or use. The City will consider equivalent items.
Substitution Request Policy
To submit a substitution request, complete the Substitution Request Form and send it to bids@tacoma.gov.
If necessary, the department will contact you for a sample. The City’s decision regarding equivalence is final. Substitution requests are not considered for items currently out to bid.
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For a complete understanding of the City’s procurement process and requirements, please refer to the official City of Tacoma Purchasing Policy. This document outlines the City’s policies regarding solicitations, supplier requirements, and bid processes.
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The City of Tacoma seeks to do business with contractors and vendors who value our commitment to sustainability. This guide shares the knowledge and resources that help guide the City’s purchasing decisions.
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For full details, please review the Standard Terms and Conditions.
All bids, proposals, and submittals must comply with the City’s requirements as outlined in each solicitation document. This includes, but is not limited to:- Adherence to deadlines for bid submissions. Late bids will not be accepted.
- Submittals must include all required forms, as outlined in the solicitation, and must be signed by an authorized representative of the bidding entity.
- Submissions for surplus items are sold “as-is, where-is,” and the recipient will be required to sign a hold-harmless release form before receiving items.
- Payment for awarded bids must be made within the timeframe specified in the award notice.
For questions or additional information regarding terms and conditions, please contact the Procurement and Payables Division at bids@tacoma.gov or call (253) 502-8468.