Getting Started

Purchasing Services is the place to start to identify business opportunities available to your business. We are open to responsible vendors who supply goods and services that are competitive, reliable and meet the County's needs.

Rules governing purchasing and contract procedures were established under the concept of open competitive bidding. Under the system, awards are made to the most responsible bidder who meets the published specifications, possess the capability to deliver the requested product or service, and offers the best value to the County.

Vendors should register with Purchasing Services using the Purchasing Portal website. Completing registration provides us with your contact information and identifies the nature of the products or services you provide. It also indicates your eligibility for business opportunity programs. Instructions for completing registration can be found in the link below.

Per County Ordinance, a business license is required to do business within the unincorporated area of Contra Costa County.

Purchasing Services uses Periscope S2G to notify vendors of formal solicitations. Vendor registration is free and the County does not require vendors to pay any fees.

Download Registration Instructions (PDF)

Download Registration & Certification Form (PDF)

The County especially welcomes the following business enterprises

• Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE)
  At least 51% owned and managed on a daily basis by one or more disabled veterans of the military, naval, or air service of the United States with a service-connected disability of at least 10 percent, and who is also a resident of California; AND a sole proprietorship corporation or partnership with its home office located in the United States that is not a subsidiary of a foreign firm.
• Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)
  At lease 51% owned and managed on a daily business by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (pursuant to Section 3 of the Small Business Act). DBE certifications are used only for state or federally funded projects that have DBE goals or requirements.
• Local Business Enterprise (LBE)
  Principal place of business is located within the boundaries of Contra Costa County.
• Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)
  At least 51% owned and managed on a daily basis by one or more minorities who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of the United States and member(s) of a recognized ethnic or racial group AND its home office is located in the United States.
• Small Business Enterprise (SBE)
  Independently owned and operated; cannot be dominant in its field of operation; must have its principal office located in California; must have its owners (or officers in the case of a corporation) domiciled in California; AND together with affiliates, be either: a business with 100 or fewer employees, an average annual gross receipts of $14 million or less over the previous three tax years, or a manufacturer with 100 or fewer employees.
• Women Business Enterprise (WBE)
  At least 51% owned and managed on a daily business by one or more women who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of the United States AND its home office is located in the United States.

Download Registration Instructions (PDF)

Download Registration & Certification Form (PDF)

Small Business Enterprise Programs webpage

A Business License is an annual tax you pay each calendar year for doing business within the unincorporated area of the County of Contra Costa.

The County Ordinance requires that you obtain a license for conducting business within the unincorporated area, even if your business is located outside our limits or you have a business license from another city.

Conducting business in the unincorporated area of the County of Contra Costa without a license can result in penalties, notice of violations, and court action.

It is important to know that most California cities and counties have a business license tax ordinance. However, each city has its own tax rate, structure, and requirements. Check with the appropriate city or county for their requirements.

Please visit the Treasurer-Tax Collector's website for more information regarding Business Licenses.

• Vendor Registration Instructions (PDF)
  Step by step registration instructions
• Registration & Certification form (PDF)
  Application to register as a county approved vendor
• Purchase Order Terms & Conditions (PDF)
  Standard terms and conditions
• County Treasurer Tax Collector
  Business License information
• NIGP Code list (PDF)
  National Institute of Government Purchasing Commodity Codes
• Contra Costa County Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy (PDF)
  County Guidelines for Sustainable Purchases
• California Procurement Division
  State Procurement website
• Federal Acquisition Regulation
  Federal Acquisition Regulation website