:: Purchasing Links
How We Do Business
Doing Business With the City
  1. Selling to the City From a Supplier's Perspective
  2. Procurement & Contract Specialists
  3. Application
Bidding for City Business
  1. Current Bid Opportunities
  2. Search for Bid Opportunities
  3. Bid Results
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:: How To Do Business With the City of Riverside
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The City of Riverside welcomes your interest in doing business with us. The City processes nearly $75 million ($25 million in goods and services and $50 million in Public Works projects) in orders and contracts annually.  The City operates under a centralized purchasing division established by our City Charter, and is staffed with professional Procurement & Contract Specialists who are assigned specific commodities to purchase.  To do business with the City, these are a few things you need to know.

What We Buy
Everything that is required to keep the City operating on a daily basis, from office supplies to equipment, computers and vehicles.  Services that we utilized, but not limited to, include janitorial services, security services, landscape maintenance, printing, temporary staff services, air travel services, and courier services.  Public projects (construction) vary from street repairs to construction of buildings.
How We Buy
Our objective is to purchase the required goods and services in a timely manner to meet City department's needs at a fair and reasonable price utilizing an open competitive bidding process.
Policies & Procedures
The City makes its purchases under the authority granted in the City Charter. Competitive bidding is the primary method for obtaining solicitations.  Competitive bids are not subject to negotiations. Awards are made to the lowest responsive and responsible bidders meeting City specifications. Remember, only the Purchasing Division is authorized to commit the City for the purchase of goods and services. No payment will be made for any goods delivered or services provided without a purchase order number or contract.
Methods of Procurement
Purchases are made utilizing techniques such as telephone quotations for items of small value (under $2,500), or where time limitations, sole source or emergency conditions prevail.  Written informal quotations are used for items of greater value ($2,500 or more), but not exceeding $25,000 where a competitive market exists. Formal bid procedures are used when the procurement is estimated to exceed $50,000 for goods and services and $50,000 for public works projects (construction). Bids submitted to the City are public information, therefore, you may access the City's website for bid results.  This will allow you to see how you compared against your competitors.
Selecting Sources of Supply
The City establishes no preferential list of sources. We buy from both large and small suppliers. The orders are awarded on the basis of the best price meeting City requirements. The City has adopted a local 5% price bid preference for those bidders located within the city limits. Therefore, a 5% price preference may be applied to the total bid price during evaluation of the bid response.
Potential Vendor/Contractor's List
The Purchasing Division Procurement & Contract Specialists maintain a "Potential Vendor/Contractor's List" for all classes of commodities and services which are regularly purchased and needed by City departments.  The Potential Vendor/Contractor's List is compiled of vendors and contrators who have expressed interest in being contacted when the City needs such items or services.  These lists are researched by the Procurement & Contract Specialist prior to soliciting bids. By being on our list, a vendor or contractor has a greater assurance of being notified of such needs.
How Do I Get on the Bidder's List?

Complete the City’s online application . This will tell us about your company and will place you on our potential vendor/contractors list. It is best if you or your sales representative contact our Purchasing Division at City Hall. 951-826-5561. The purchasing receptionist will direct you to the Procurement & Contracts Specialist that would handle the commodity or service you provide. The Procurement & Contracts Specialist will interview you over the phone and may set up an appointment for you to come. When attending this appointment, please bring in additional information about your products or service. This appointment will give you a chance to meet the Procurement & Contracts Specialist in person and help develop a business relationship.
Hours for Sales Representatives
The City welcomes vendor visits in our Purchasing Division. Our vendor visiting hours are
8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
No Friday calls please, unless you have made prior arrangements with the Procurement & Contract Specialist.
We actively encourage participation from all businesses, large and small as it is our policy that everyone who comes to sell to the City be given every opportunity to do so if the need arises. We place high value on friendly, personal contact with our suppliers and potential suppliers. It is our hope that a visit to our purchasing office will be both informative and mutually beneficial.