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City of Omaha's Purchasing Department Purchasing is responsible for the purchase and contract for all materials, parts, supplies, equipment, and contractual services required by any department or agency of City government. City of Omaha Purchasing Process The City of Omaha spends approximately $80 million a year on products and services in order to provide basic services to its citizens.

Doing Business with the City of Omaha

Small businesses, eager to do business with the government, often overlook local bidding opportunities with local agencies (i.e., city, county, and state agencies). Here in Douglas County, both the County and the City of Omaha offer opportunities for area small businesses to submit bids to provide a variety of products and services. The process is an easy one.

First, businesses must notify the City and County of their desire to be informed of bidding opportunities. Both the City of Omaha and Douglas County require that the bidder complete and submit a form indicating contact information and the type of products and/or services their business provides. To get a copy of the City of Omaha's "Vendor List Application," call the City of Omaha's Purchasing Department at (402) 444-5408 or visit their office in Room 1003 of the Omaha/Douglas Civic Center at 1819 Farnam Street. Similarly, the Douglas County Purchasing Department requires a business to complete its "Bidder's List" form, which can be had by calling 444-7155 or visiting their office at the Omaha/Douglas Civic Center also at 1819 Farnam, Room 903.

The City of Omaha also offers certification programs for "Protected Business Enterprises" (PBE), which are small businesses at least 51 percent owned, controlled and actively managed by protected class members (Black, Hispanic, Asian or Pacific Islander, American Indian or Alaskan Native or female). Similarly, the City of Omaha has a "Disadvantaged Business Enterprise" (DBE) certification program for small businesses that meet the criteria outlined in the City's application. Such businesses must have been deprived of the opportunity to develop and maintain a competitive position in their industry because: 1) the business lacks adequate external support, as demonstrated by a lack of long-term working capital, financing, equipment, etc.; or 2) the business is a supplier and has failed to capture a proportionate share of the market for its goods and services; or 3) the business has been subjected to racial or ethnic cultural bias that has resulted in social disadvantages beyond its control. Applications for each of these programs may be obtained by visiting the City of Omaha's Human Relations Department in Room 502 of the Omaha/Douglas Civic Center at 1819 Farnam Street. In addition to completing an application for either or both of these programs, the business is subject to a site visit by City of Omaha staff to make the final determination whether the business does, in fact, qualify for the applied for status.

If your business doesn't reside in Douglas County and/or is interested in doing business with another city or county, check your telephone directory for listings of the city or county purchasing departments nearest you. It may surprise you to learn of the opportunities at your local government level and of special programs designed to help your small businesses grow through special incentives offered by your local area governments.

Important Steps

1. Submit a Vendor List Application form.
2. Contact the Omaha Purchasing Office for assistance in locating specific department purchasing personnel.
3. Introduce yourself and your products or services to the purchasing personnel.
4. Read the Daily Record in the Omaha World Herald for bid notices.
5. Visit the Purchasing Division between 8:00AM and 4:30PM, Monday through Friday, to view the bids which are being let

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