Preparing to Do Business with the City
Before submitting bids and proposals to do business with the City of Cincinnati, vendors will need to register to the City's platforms and know how to search for upcoming opportunities.
Register with the City
- Vendor Self Service (VSS) - Register in VSS to submit online bids and receive automated notices of upcoming opportunities. This registers you as a vendor with the City of Cincinnati so you can submit online bids; it is also required for business certifications.
- Bonfire - Register through Bonfire to submit online proposals for professional services solicitations. This is the Office of Procurement's system for processing online Requests for Proposals (RFPs).
- Vendor Compliance and Certification System (VCCS) - Register in VCCS to apply for business certification and to report progress towards meeting project-specific inclusion goals. Economic Inclusion uses this system to monitor contract compliance.
Finding Opportunities
Opportunities to do business with the City can be found within VSS and the City's Business Opportunities Portal. The City's Business Opportunities Portal also contains past solicitations, where vendors can evaluate the types of procurement opportunities the City frequently solicits.
VSS, Bonfire, and the City's Business Opportunities Portal are maintained by the Office of Procurement. For questions about these platforms, contact CityPurchasing@cincinnati-oh.gov.