How do I register as a vendor in Texas?

Register on Centralized Master Bidders List (CMBL), through the Comptroller's eSystems (https://comptroller.texas.gov/purchasing/vendor/cmbl/). Confirm your business is in good standing with the state and, if applicable, that your franchise tax account status is ACTIVE.

How to Bid on Government Contracts in Texas (2026 Guide)

Texas buys through a central state purchasing office, and its cities, counties and school districts buy on their own as well. To sell to the state you register once as a vendor, then watch for solicitations in your commodity codes and respond by the deadline. This page covers the state registration steps, where bids are posted and the programs that help small businesses, with links to the official pages.

Central purchasing officeTexas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Statewide Procurement Division (SPD)

Vendor registrationCentralized Master Bidders List (CMBL), through the Comptroller's eSystems

Registration fee$70/year (CMBL; only annual registration is offered)

Where bids are postedElectronic State Business Daily (ESBD) at https://www.txsmartbuy.gov/esbd; it lists state contract opportunities over $25,000 and can be searched without signing in.

Open bids right now2,558 open Texas bids (586 closing this week, 627 new in the last 7 days)

How to register as a Texas vendor

Confirm your business is in good standing with the state and, if applicable, that your franchise tax account status is ACTIVE.
Have your EIN (required), business structure details, NIGP purchasing class and item codes, and the Texas highway districts you serve ready.
Create an eSystems user profile at https://security.app.cpa.state.tx.us/ with a unique ID, email and password.
Log in, select Apply for CMBL, complete the application and pay the $70 annual fee by card, electronic check or mailed check.
Keep an active email address on your profile for bid notices, renew each year (an expiration notice arrives 40 to 45 days ahead), and search the ESBD for postings.

Registration gets you on the state's list, but it rarely sends you every relevant bid. Many agencies, and most local governments, post on their own portals. A free BidsNexus alert watches the state portal and Texas's local agencies for you and emails the matches each morning.

Small business and certification programs

VetHUB (Veteran Heroes United in Business): Free certification, valid up to four years, for for-profit businesses principally based in Texas that are at least 51% owned and controlled by a service-disabled veteran with a 20% or greater service-related disability and within the 34 TAC 20.294 size standard; it aims to increase state contracts and subcontracts with these firms.

Federal set-asides work differently from state programs; see our guide to small business set-asides.

Cities, counties and school districts

Cities, counties, school districts and special districts post their own solicitations on the ESBD alongside state agencies, and they can buy from state contracts, TXMAS and DIR contracts through the Texas SmartBuy Membership Program (formerly the CO-OP program).

Local bids are where most small businesses win their first contracts: smaller dollar values, shorter responses and less competition from national firms. BidsNexus collects them into one list, so you can browse every open Texas bid in one place.

Tips specific to Texas

CMBL registration is not required to do business with Texas, but state agencies use the CMBL to build bidder lists for procurements over certain thresholds, so registering puts you on those lists.
Pick NIGP class and item codes carefully, since notices are sent based on the codes on your profile.
The ESBD search offers keyword and agency filters and a CSV export of results.