How the City buys goods and services
The City of Austin makes purchases on the open market, by informal or formal requests, or utilizing cooperative contracts.
The City makes purchases based on dollar ranges:
- $0 - 3,000: Purchases made based on a single quote and may be authorized and/or paid using a purchasing order or purchasing card.
- $3,000.01 - $50,0000: Purchases made based on an informal request with a minimum of three quotes, with attempts made to obtain at least two quotes from a certified Women or Minority Owned Business
- $50,000.01 and above: Purchases made based on a formal solicitation and may require approval by the City Council
Vendor registration
City of Austin vendors may participate in the City’s procurement process by receiving solicitation notifications for contract opportunities and submitting responses through our website. If awarded a contract or order, an approved account is needed to complete contract execution and process future payments.
For more information or for assistance call 512-974-2018 or email us at vendor@austintexas.gov
Search registered vendors
Already registered?
Each federal taxpayer ID number can only have one associated vendor account. If you think you’re already registered, you can search by taxpayer ID number to find your vendor account.
Search commodity codes
Commodity codes represent the goods and services a vendor provides. When the City issues a new solicitation, our Procurement Specialists identify all related commodity codes, and send the solicitation to all vendors who have those codes associated with their vendor profile. Vendors must provide at least one commodity code on their profile, but we recommend adding multiple to cast a wide net. You can also use the search tools find commodities other vendors have registered with.
Attend the 2024 City of Austin Vendor Academy
The Academy has been designed to provide training on a variety of procurement topics to assist them to successfully do business with the City. Topics are relevant to vendors who provide goods, services, professional services, and construction-related services. Learn how to navigate the requirements of doing business with the City of Austin while keeping informed of new opportunities.
Learn about our Local and Small Business Preference Programs, invitation for bid (IFB) process, request for proposal (RFP) process, construction contracting methods, and more.
- Vendor Academy schedule
January 24, 2024
- Local Business Preference Program and Small Business Program
- MBE/WBE Program Overview
February 28, 2024
- Navigating AFO: Vendor Registration, Usage of Commodity Codes
- Funding Sources and Types/Business Planning Services
March 27, 2024
- City of Austin Contractor Payments
May 22, 2024
- Invitation for Bids (IFB) Process Overview
- Processes for Contract Changes
June 26, 2024
- Contractor Performance Evaluation (CPE)
July 24, 2024
- Construction Training Program (CTP) Overview
- Getting Bonded for Construction Contracts
August 14, 2024
- Wage Requirements
- Construction Contracting Methods
October 23, 2024
- Request for Proposals (RFP)
- Request for Qualifications (RFQS)
- Past sessions
2023
- January 18, 2023: Consultant/Contractor Performance Evaluation Program Overview (CPE)
- March 8, 2023: Upcoming Projects
- April 19, 2023: MBE/WBE Compliance Program Overview
- May 17, 2023: Getting Bonded
- June 21, 2023: Rate Review Process
- July 19, 2023: Construction Training Program, Wage Theft Program, and Living Wage/Prevailing Wage
- August 16, 2023: Rotation List Contracting
- September 20, 2023: Submitting Statements of Qualifications and the Evaluation Process