Purchasing
View Purchasing opportunities now on the City of Seattle's new procurement tool on OpenGov.
The City purchases goods, services, systems, equipment and supplies as a centralized function under Purchasing and Contracting. We have a team of procurement advisors and buyers who conduct this work and who specialize in certain products and services. To contact the buyer that manages the products and or services you offer, see our Contact Us page or call (206) 684-0444.
Standard Terms and Conditions
The City has Standard Terms and Conditions that are used in most City purchasing contracts. While these Terms and Conditions are used as a starting point for many contracts, terms and conditions may vary depending on the type of contract, funding source, and other needs.
Interlocal Agreements
Per the Revised Code of Washington Chapter 39.34, the Interlocal Cooperation Act, a local government may exercise any of its powers or perform any of its functions including purchasing, and participate in the financing thereof, jointly or in cooperation with other local governments. See a list of the City of Seattle's interlocal agreements.
COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements for Contractors and Volunteers
Learn about vaccine requirements for City of Seattle contractors and volunteers.
Future Competitive Opportunities to do Business with the City of Seattle - Goods and Routine Services
The City of Seattle’s Purchasing and Contracting Division of the Department of Finance and Administrative Services (FAS) is committed to sharing information with prospective vendors about upcoming opportunities to do business with the City. This list reflects solicitations currently in the planning and development stage, which we anticipate advertising. The list is not exhaustive and additional opportunities will be added on a monthly basis, as more information becomes available.
All upcoming solicitations are subject to revision or cancellation without notification. Keep checking this space for updates and register on the Online Business Directory to help City staff find your company and the services or products you provide!
If you have questions about any of the upcoming opportunities on the list, please reach out to the Contract Administrator.
Accounts Payable Contact Guide
You can find a list of City A/P contacts here.
Purchasing Frequently Asked Questions
Most purchases are made through long-term competitively bid contracts. Purchasing has 1,100 long-term blanket contracts for items that departments repeatedly buy. We also conduct about 600 one-time bids each year. If there is no blanket contract and purchases are small (under $10,000 each, totaling $67,000 a year), City departments buy directly from vendors of their choice.
The City conducts an ITB (Invitation to Bid) solicitation, which considers price, minimum qualifications, equal benefits compliance, technical compliance and other mandatory requirements to award a contract. Alternatively, the City also may conduct an RFP (Request for Proposal), which evaluates additional criteria to select the winner. The City scores such things as customer service, experience, specialties, solutions, references and more. An RFP is complex, but guarantees careful deliberation and a good understanding between the City and vendor.
Call Purchasing at 206-684-0444 or use our online blanket contract search tool.
For products and routine services, call 206-684-0444 and ask for the buyer who specializes in your product or service. The buyer can tell you about current contracts for your product and how much is spent. Be sure to ask for a copy of the current contract and when the City may resolicit for that product or service. The buyer can also refer you to other City department staff who might be interested in your product or service. You can also track Purchasing's announcements and bid solicitations on The Buy Line.
Most contracts are for five years or less with an option to extend. Call 206-684-0444 to ask about contracts for your commodity. One of our buyers can tell you about any current contracts, when they expire, when we may bid again, and also can add your name to any future bid list.
No. You still need to market to City departments and maintain a positive service to the City. The City may select multiple companies to provide services, add or use other contracts while your contract is still in use, or terminate and rebid the contract.
Winning bidders with a physical nexus in Seattle city limits must obtain a Seattle business license and a Washington state business license (when applicable). For City licensing, visit Business Licensing. For state licensing, call 1-800-647-7706 or visit the Washington State Department of Licensing website.
The City is committed to promoting equity in contracting through its many social equity programs. The Equal Benefits Program was established to ensure that business contracting with the City provide benefits equally to the spouses and domestic partners of their employees. Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 20.45 applies to contracts for construction, consultant services and the purchase of goods and services worth $58,000 and above.
The City has a strong commitment to the environment and requires environmentally preferable products and services. The City will often seek, specify or favorably score products that are recycled, certified, remanufactured or provide innovative and environmentally preferable solutions. For more information see the Green Purchasing.
City employees are prohibited from accepting meals, tickets or gifts from vendors. The City also protects against conflicts of interest in bidding and contract work. Please see the City's Ethics and Elections Commission website for more information.
The City of Seattle has established best practices to ensure that the City awards work to contractors who adhere to fair business practices and can demonstrate they meet the responsibility requirements of goods and services, consultant and public works contracting. The policy is linked here.
The City is committed to socially responsible purchasing. All City departments work to ensure open, fair and equitable procurements; competitive and fair pricing; environmentally sustainable solutions; use of women and minority-owned businesses; best labor practices; and local business participation when applicable in City bid decisions.
The City is committed to avoiding the use of sweatshops and other unfair labor conditions. For certain product purchases, the City shall apply sweatshop-free requirements. For more information see the City's Sweat-Free Procurement Policy.