Each local jurisdiction has their own requirements and process for becoming a public vendor. Please consult with your local jurisdiction for more information.

• City of Columbus - Vendor Services - A one-stop portal for public vendor services and contracting information with the City of Columbus. Businesses can register, review current contracts, and submit bids to provide goods and services.
• City of Columbus - Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) - Assists small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses with understanding the City’s purchasing process and provides technical assistance
• Franklin County - Purchasing - The Procurement Program ensures all County agencies follow the County’s purchasing policy when obtaining goods and services. Businesses can register, review current contracts, and submit bids to provide goods and services.
• Franklin County - Small & Emerging Business Enterprises (SEBE) - Provides assistance to small and emerging business enterprises to enhance the competitive and non-competitive bid process within Franklin County
• Ohio Development Services Agency - Procurement Technical Assistance Center - Assists Ohio businesses seeing to compete for federal, state, and local government contracts

Please contact the appropriate state agency for information on rules and eligibility.

• State of Ohio - Procurement - Information on current contracts, bid opportunities, selling to the state, and more (under the menu ‘for Suppliers’)
• State of Ohio - Supplier Portal - Business registration and information about financing transactions with the state
• State of Ohio - Business Certifications - Apply to be certified as a minority-owned, veteran-owned, or economically and socially disadvantaged business. The Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC) has specific services to assist with this process.
• Ohio Business Gateway - Do Business With Ohio - Collection of resources related to becoming a public vendor and pursuing government contracts
• Ohio Buys - State of Ohio purchasing solution that leverages innovative technologies to increase efficiency, opportunities, and participation with businesses
• Ohio Development Services Agency (ODSA) - Procurement Technical Assistance Center - Assists Ohio businesses seeing to compete for federal, state, and local government contracts

Please contact the appropriate federal agency for information on rules and eligibility.

• USA.gov - How to Become a Federal Government Contractor - An overview for selling products and services to the federal government, including common federal contracting terms and finding tools and support services
• Sam.gov - Official US Government website for people who make, receive, and manage federal awards
• USDA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization - Works to ensure that the USDA purchasing agencies engage small businesses and meet small business procurement goals
• Ohio Development Services Agency - Procurement Technical Assistance Center - Assists Ohio businesses seeing to compete for federal, state, and local government contracts
• Contracting Assistance Programs - The federal government has several programs geared towards helping under-resourced entrepreneurs with gaining contracts:
  • Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program
  • Service-disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program
  • 8(a) Business Development Program

There special certifications for many types of under-resourced entrepreneurs, including minorities, women, LGBTQ+, and veterans. Local, state, and federal governments specifically look to work with these types of businesses and often have a targeted amount of money they want to spend with such companies each year. As outlined above, some entities have their own certification processes, while others rely upon independent certifications. The following resources are independent organizations that provide such certifications as well as a host of resources, matchmaker events, and more.

• Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) (Nonprofit)
• National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) (Nonprofit) 
• LGBT Business Enterprise from the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (Nonprofit)
• Veterans Business Outreach Center (Federal Government)