Arizona RFPs: The Ultimate Guide to Arizona Bids

As one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon in the state of Arizona can seem overwhelming to first-time visitors. This popular natural wonder, which was carved by the Colorado River over a span of five to six million years, is over 277 miles long, 18 miles wide, and more than a mile deep. Needless to say, it can be easy to lose your way navigating the canyon’s gaping chasms. However, the same can be said for finding and responding to Arizona RFPs.

RFPs are an important part of bidding on projects, no matter what industry you are in. They are the gateway to landing large contracts that you can’t acquire through marketing or direct sales. And, like the Grand Canyon, state RFPs in Arizona attract the interest of the crowds. With thousands of grants, bids, and RFPs released in Arizona each year, state bid evaluators read even more responses from interested companies and organizations eager to do business.

Luckily for you, you’ve got us.

We’ll discuss what you need to consider, including your bid to stand out from the crowds and win. Let’s explore how you might want to respond to bid on that perfect Arizona RFP. Before you go any further, though, you’ll want to register with Arizona’s procurement portal APP. It’s a requirement to do business in the state. More on that later!

Top Industries for Arizona RFPs

If your organization is located in Arizona, you very well might be responding to Arizona RFPs in one of its top industries. Some of these industries include:

• Aerospace and Defense: Arizona is famously home to large aerospace and defense companies like Raytheon, Honeywell, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman. Large companies like these typically issue RFPs for contracts.
  • What to consider: To bid on federal Aerospace and Defense contracts, you must meet various federal requirements. Like all bids, you will have to register with the System for Award Management (SAM). In addition, bidders need to comply with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). These standards are service-specific, so your mileage may vary depending on your industry niche.
• Technology and Innovation: Did you know that Arizona is home to Intel’s largest semiconductor manufacturing site? Neither did we until we wrote this article! However, it does make sense, given Arizona’s involvement with the Aerospace industry.
  • What to consider: To bid on federal technology contracts, you must obtain a Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). Like Aerospace and Defense, you’ll also want to register with SAM and follow NIST and DFARS standards. Don’t forget to ensure you have a Quality Management Certification (ISO 9001/ISO 27001). Again, these standards are service-specific depending on your industry niche.

Even More Industries for Arizona RFPs

• Construction: Dodge Data & Analytics and ConstructConnect are both invaluable sites if you are in the construction industry.
• Healthcare: Banner Health Procurement and HonorHealth Procurement are both great resources if you are in the Arizona healthcare industry.
• Higher Education: Want to cater to higher education? If there is a college or university in Arizona, chances are that it has its own RFP portal, like the procurement portal for the University of Arizona. Other examples are the Arizona State University (ASU) Procurement and the Northern Arizona University (NAU) Procurement websites.

Learn About Arizona State RFPs and Bids

Navigating the rocky terrain of Arizona RFPs can be tricky. First, you have to identify the opportunities you are looking for. It could be helpful to make a list of the types of RFPs you’d like to bid on before you go searching. Once you have a list in place, it’s time to identify where you might be able to find Arizona RFPs that fit your criteria.

Arizona RFPs have plenty of resources to help guide your writing. Let’s take a look at some resources to help you out!

• Arizona State Procurement Office: The Arizona State Procurement Office is the official portal for state-level RFPs. If you are looking for official Arizona government-issued RFPs to bid on, this is your one-stop shop! The office also provides tips and tricks for doing business with the state as well as writing Arizona RFPs. They’ve even got an Arizona FAQ list that’s worth checking out.
• County and City Procurement Sites: Do you want to look at more local opportunities? Fire up your browser and search for your county or city with terms like “RFP” and “procurement.” The City of Tucson Procurement website is just one such example of a local RFP issuing website. Other examples are the City of Phoenix Procurement and Maricopa County Procurement Services websites.

Registering with the State of Arizona 

The Arizona Procurement Portal (APP) is Arizona’s eProcurement System, which is used by Arizona state agencies. Registering as a vendor allows you to be notified of formal solicitations by the State and is a requirement to respond to solicitations. 

Vendors must self-register to participate in Arizona’s procurement opportunities. After you have registered, you will receive email notifications of solicitations based on the commodity codes you selected. To register, visit http://procure.az.gov. You must have your business’s legal name and federal tax identification number to complete the process. 

Threshold Levels for Arizona RFP Procurement Methods 

When the State of Arizona does not have a contract for a needed good or service, state agencies must use the procurement process.

The threshold levels for procurement are as follows: 

• For contracts up to $10,000, adequate competition and documentation is required. 
• For contracts from $10,000.01 to $100,000, a Request for Quotation (RFQ) is required. If possible, Arizona will try to award contracts to small businesses. 
• For contracts exceeding $100,000.00, vendors will complete either an Invitation for Bid (IFB) or RFP. Legal advertising may be necessary, and formal solicitations must be issued and available for at least 14 days. 

You Don’t Have to Go It Alone

Ready to start building your response for that perfect Arizona RFP opportunity? We’ve got you covered. Read up on how to create RFP response templates in our Learning Center. Then, learn why you should hire a RFP writer. Or, if you’re looking to find the perfect RFP in the state of Arizona, check out Bid Banana, our user-friendly RFP database. The Bid Banana Blog can help you find bids in all 50 states, including Arizona! So reach out to schedule a free consultation with us today by calling 1-844-4BIDLAB or emailing respond@thebidlab.com.