How do I register as a vendor in Washington?

Register on Washington's Electronic Business Solution (WEBS) (https://pr-webs-vendor.des.wa.gov/). Register in WEBS (about 10 minutes) with your business name, contact information and Tax Identification Number (FEIN or SSN); the person registering becomes the account administrator.

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

Washington 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 officeWashington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES)

Vendor registrationWashington's Electronic Business Solution (WEBS)

Registration feeFree

Where bids are postedWEBS, where Washington state agencies are required to post goods and services solicitations; the WEBS Bid Calendar (https://pr-webs-vendor.des.wa.gov/BidCalendar.aspx) can be viewed without logging in.

Open bids right now281 open Washington bids (44 closing this week, 64 new in the last 7 days)

How to register as a Washington vendor

Register in WEBS (about 10 minutes) with your business name, contact information and Tax Identification Number (FEIN or SSN); the person registering becomes the account administrator.
Enter annual gross revenue and, optionally, ownership demographics and certifications; businesses in Washington with 50 or fewer employees or under $7 million in revenue can self-certify as small here.
Add commodity codes (search with single words such as 'lighting') and the Washington counties you serve so you get email notices of matching solicitations.
Add WEBSCustomerService@des.wa.gov to your safe senders list to receive bid, award and password emails.
Before contracting, register with the Secretary of State and Department of Revenue, and register with OFM Statewide Vendor Payee Services (up to five business days) to get paid.

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 Washington's local agencies for you and emails the matches each morning.

Small business and certification programs

OMWBE certification (minority- and women-owned): For businesses at least 51% owned by minorities, women and other under-represented communities; raises visibility with government buyers and lists certified statewide contractors in the Diverse Business Contracts search tool.
Veteran-owned business certification, Washington Department of Veterans Affairs: For businesses incorporated in Washington and at least 51% owned by a veteran; register in WEBS first, then certify with DVA.
Small business self-certification in WEBS: Businesses with a primary location in Washington and 50 or fewer employees or less than $7 million gross annual revenue can self-certify in WEBS and appear in the Diverse Business Contracts search tool.

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

Cities, counties and school districts

WEBS also carries notices from local governments that choose to use it, but not all public agencies in Washington are required to post there, so check individual cities, counties and school districts directly.

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 Washington bid in one place.

Tips specific to Washington

For construction projects, search NIGP commodity code 914-84 in WEBS.
DES lists upcoming bid opportunities in its planned procurement list (https://apps.des.wa.gov/DESContracts/Home/PlannedProcurement).
Statewide contract vendors must report sales quarterly.
DES holds monthly State Contracting Opportunities sessions in English and Spanish.