If you have a service or product for sale and would like to become a City vendor, you must be selected through a competitive purchasing process or an informal purchasing process.

Competitive Purchasing

The City uses two types of competitive purchasing documents (also called solicitation documents):

• An invitation to bid: This document invites businesses to submit bids for specific goods or services.
• A request for proposal: This document asks businesses to propose solutions for specific needs.

To be considered by the City for the goods or services you offer, you must respond to these documents.

Find Bidding Opportunities

You can find a list of opportunities on OregonBuys. On OregonBuys, you will find:

• Solicitation Documents: These include detailed requirements for how to respond. All information is available online; documents are not mailed out.

• Addenda: Sometimes, there are changes to the solicitation documents after they are issued. These changes are called addenda and will also be posted on OregonBuys. It is your responsibility to check for and comply with any addenda.

Registration

In order for you to view and access all of the bidding opportunities on OregonBuys, you must register and set up an account. From the home page, click on the supplier registration link to begin. There is no cost to register. To complete the registration process, you must:

• Create a user name and password
• Enter your company information
• Indicate the types of goods or services your company provides

The whole registration process should take less than ten minutes. Once you’re registered, you can access all the bidding opportunities available!

Successful Bid or Proposal

After evaluating the responses to a bid or proposal, the City will select one or more vendors to start the negotiation process for a contract. Here’s how it works:

• Invitation to Bid: The contract is awarded to the bidder with the lowest price.
• Request for Proposal: The contract is awarded based on scores given by an evaluation committee. These scores consider various criteria, including price, qualifications, experience, and references.

If you respond to a solicitation document and are within the competitive range, you will receive a written notification from the City indicating the intent to award a contract to the selected vendor.

Much of the information included in bids and proposals are public records. You can make a public records request to view purchasing records.

Non-Discrimination

If you have a contract or agreement with the City, you will be expected to uphold laws and policies forbidding discrimination. This training video is provided as resource for understanding expectations of non-discrimination. Further information about the City’s non-discrimination policy and plan is also available.

Informal Purchasing

Not every City purchase needs a formal bid or proposal process. Some vendors or products are chosen by the City using other methods. To learn about all the purchasing rules and requirements, including details about informal purchasing, please review the Public Purchasing Rules.

Local Bidders Policy Pilot Program 

📢 City of Salem Launches Local Bidders Policy 

 Effective November 17, 2025, the City of Salem has implemented a Local Bidders Policy to support and promote businesses within city limits. For purchases under $100,000, City departments are now required to seek quotes from at least one local vendor. For purchases under $5,000, local vendors will be prioritized when prices are comparable.

This initiative is part of a pilot program aimed at strengthening our local economy and ensuring fair access to City procurement opportunities. The policy will be reviewed in three months to assess its impact and effectiveness.

For more information, contact the City’s Procurement Office via email at contracts@cityofsalem.net. 

Local Supplier Interest Form