Oklahoma RFPs: The Ultimate Guide to Oklahoma Bids

If you want your business to really take off in OOOOOOklahoma,, consider searching for and responding to Oklahoma RFPs! Oklahoma is home to amazing people and a variety of industries. The parking meter, the shopping cart and aerosol cans were all invented in Oklahoma. The first Girl Scout cookie was sold in Oklahoma. The Cowboy Hall of Fame is located in Oklahoma, and the state has produced more astronauts than any other. And who hasn’t seen Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma?” (Are you singing the song as you read it?) 

Finding RFPs in Oklahoma 

The Oklahoma Supplier Portal allows vendors to manage their accounts and bid on Oklahoma RFPs. Once you are part of the Oklahoma Supplier Portal, you will receive notifications of procurements that match the goods and services you provide based on your category code selections. You will also submit your bids in the portal. Additionally, before the state will award you a contract, you must be registered in the Oklahoma Supplier Portal. 

To register, you will need to have the legal name of your business, an address and telephone number and the federal tax ID number for your business. You will also have to choose the category codes that match the goods and services your business provides. Your bank information will also be needed as the Oklahoma Supplier Portal is how the State will pay you on your contract. You must also have a W-9 and a current Certificate of Insurance or Letter of Exemption to upload when registering. You will need to identify an Account Manager as well as any applicable Certified Diverse Business documentation. 

If you plan to participate in construction projects, you will also have to provide current certification documentation and licensing jurisdiction and trade categories. A bonding reference letter is also required.  

You can register for the Oklahoma Supplier Portal at https://oklahoma.gov/omes/divisions/central-purchasing/suppliers-and-payees/supplier-portal.html.

Once you register, you can then start exploring Oklahoma RFPs and get your first bid submitted!

Oklahoma’s Diverse Business Certification Program  

The Oklahoma Diverse Business Certification Program was designed to encourage businesses to participate in Oklahoma RFPs and other procurement opportunities. The program enables businesses to differentiate themselves if they qualify for certification. To qualify for the Diverse Business Certification Program, a business must be owned and operated in Oklahoma and have annual revenue of equal to or less than $25,000,000.00. The business also must have fewer than 500 total employees and not be a publicly traded company. Registration with the Oklahoma Secretary of State is a requirement, and the business must be a for-profit business. The business must also meet one of the following: 

• Certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration as one or more of the following: Woman-Owned Small Business; Minority Business Enterprise; Small Disadvantaged Business; Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business; HUBZone Small Business Concern; or 8(a) Business Development Program Member; 
• 51% or more owned and controlled by a member of one of the following diverse groups: Native Americans, United States Military Veterans, Women or Racial Minorities (including African American, Hispanic or Asian American); or 
• Certified as an Oklahoma Department of Transportation Disadvantaged Business Enterprise.

Oklahoma Department of Transportation Disadvantaged Business Enterprise

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation certifies that businesses are able to provide goods and services that can be credited toward disadvantaged business enterprise goals regarding contracts. To qualify, you must be 51% owned and controlled by a socially and economically disadvantaged individual(s). The owner must be a U.S. citizen or a lawfully admitted permanent resident and be a Black American, Hispanic American, Native American, Asian-Pacific American, Asian-Indian American, a woman, or another minority or individual identified as disadvantaged by the Small Business Administration.

OOOOOOklahoma is a great place to live and work. While you are belting out the notes of your favorite state song, start searching for and drafting your Oklahoma RFPs. What are you waiting for? 

Ready to Win Oklahoma RFPs? Do It With The Bid Lab!

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