Oregon RFPs: The Ultimate Guide to Oregon Bids
Do you remember playing Oregon Trail as a kid? While playing Oregon Trail, you are tasked with guiding your party of settlers across the Oregon Trail in a covered wagon in 1848. While the game is nostalgic for many, the real Oregon Trail is a historic site that attracts educators, historians, and tourists alike. If you are ready to explore business opportunities in the State of Oregon, bidding on an Oregon RFP may be just the way to start your next great adventure!
Explore Oregon RFPs and Bids
The Oregon Secretary of State’s Business Services Division is responsible for contracting for goods and services for the state. This contract includes soliciting for business opportunities in Oregon. OregonBuys provides the state’s web-based eProcurement system. You can register for OregonBuys at https://oregonbuys.gov/bso/. You must register with OregonBuy to be able to respond to open bid opportunities. Registering allows you to search for potential bids that match what your business has to offer. Finding potential Oregon RFPs is just a quick search away!
Boost Your Oregon RFPs With Vendor Certifications
The State of Oregon encourages businesses to submit bids. Many projects encourage awarding contracts to minority, women, veteran, or emerging small businesses. The state allows you to certify your business in as many areas as you are qualified, enabling businesses to grow and overcome barriers. Obtaining certification can provide a significant advantage when completing your Oregon RFP.
Oregon Small Business Certifications
Emerging Small Business certification is for small businesses in Oregon seeking state, county and city government, and special jurisdiction (hospitals and universities) contracts. The program is a race- and gender-neutral program based on the size of your business. You can participate in the program for 12 years. To be certified as an Emerging Small Business, your business must be an Oregon business registered with the Secretary of State. Your business must be for profit and not a joint venture. The business owner must also be properly licensed. There is also a limit to the number of employees you can have and your annual gross receipts. If you qualify, this small business certification may give your Oregon RFP response the boost it needs over competing bids!
Women and Minority-owned Small Business Certifications
Women Business Enterprise (WBE) and Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certifications are for women-owned and minority-owned businesses seeking to bid on Oregon RFPs, bids and government contracts. Certification is based upon the individual applying rather than the size of the business. Women Business Enterprise and Minority Business Enterprise certifications do not expire.
The business must be for-profit and registered with the Oregon Secretary of State. A 3-year average of gross annual receipts cannot exceed $30.72 million. The business owner must be a United States citizen or a lawfully admitted, permanent resident. Either the woman or the minority member must own and control 51% or more of the business and control and manage the day-to-day operations. The owner must have the proper licensing, if required, and have made a capital contribution. If applying for Women Business Enterprise and Minority Business Enterprise certification, you should expect a telephone interview and a possible site visit.
Veteran-owned Small Business Certifications
Veteran Business Enterprise certification is for service-disabled veteran-owned and veteran-owned businesses seeking Oregon RFP opportunities. Veteran Business Enterprise certification is based on the individual, not the size of the business. Certifications do not expire.
To qualify for certification, the business must be for-profit and registered with the Oregon Secretary of State. A 3-year average for gross receipts may not exceed $30.72 million. The business owner must be a United States citizen or a lawfully admitted, permanent resident. The veteran must own at least 51% of the business and control its day-to-day operations. The owner must have proper licensing and make a capital contribution to the business.
Confirmation of Veteran status requires documentation that verifies honorable discharge and showing at least 90 days of active duty before January 1955, 178 days of active duty after January 1955, or 1 day of combat zone deployment. If seeking Service-Disabled Veteran status, vendors must submit a copy of a disability award letter that includes evidence of a service-connected disability rating.
Disadvantaged Businesses and Airport Concessions
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise certifications are for businesses applying for federally funded transportation-related Oregon RFP opportunities. Funding is supported by the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transportation Administration.
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise certifications are based upon the individual business owner rather than the size of the business. These certifications do not expire.
The business must be for-profit and registered with the Oregon Secretary of State. A 3-year average of gross receipts cannot exceed $30.72 million or $56.42 million for airport concessionaires (although there are a few exceptions). The business must be certified in its home state. The owner of the business must be a United States citizen or a lawfully admitted, permanent resident. The applicant must own and control 51% or more of the business and have day-to-day control and management. Proper licensing is needed, and the owner must have made a capital contribution. The business owner also cannot have a net worth exceeding $2.047 million. The owner should expect a telephone interview as well as a possible site visit.
Learning More About Oregon RFPs and Bids
Now you are ready to start exploring business opportunities in Oregon. Lead your team on a trail to really grow your business and see what you can find along the way! What are you waiting for? Start exploring Oregon RFPs! But first, read up on how to create RFP response templates in our Learning Center. Then, if you’re looking to find the perfect RFP in the state of Oregon, check out Bid Banana, our user-friendly RFP database. The Bid Banana Blog can help you find bids in all 50 states, including Oregon. So reach out to schedule a free consultation with us today by calling 1-844-4BIDLAB or emailing respond@thebidlab.com.
