Frequently Asked Questions

Invitation to bid

Invitations to bid are for purchases that are expected to have a value of $75,000.00 or more. Invitation to bids can be downloaded from the Purchasing website or through Bid Sync. Advertisements for bids can be found in the Court Index Press.

Bid Award

The award of bids is not solely based on lowest price. Consideration is given to the product that is most suitable for the task or project as well as the cost. It is our obligation to procure the best products at the best price to effectively serve the residents of Hamilton County.

If you have any questions about the purchasing process, or would like additional information please e-mail Jill Williams  .

What are the basic procurement rules for Hamilton County?

The basic rules for procurement in Hamilton County are as follows:

  • Three price quotes are required for any purchase valued at $2,500 to $75,000.
  • At $75,000 County Departments are required to competitively bid for services.
  • If the value of the order is over $1,000, the department must give the vendor a purchase order before the order can be placed.
  • These basic rules may be different when making purchases with federal funds or grant funds.
  • Departments are permitted to use State Term pricing, GSA pricing, or other cooperative agreements such as Omnia, Sourcewell, and NACO. Permission to utilize these services comes from Section 9.48 of the Ohio Revised Code.
  • The general rules for procurement are based on the County’s Purchasing Manual, Section 307.86 of the Ohio Revised Code, and the Code of Federal regulations as applicable.

How do I find out bid and quote opportunities for Hamilton County?

Purchasing currently is using Periscope S2G to post, distribute to receive electronic responses to County's bid solicitations. Register here: https://prod.bidsync.com/hamilton-county  .

*Coming soon in early 2024*

The Purchasing and Economic Inclusion and Equity Departments are proud to announce Hamilton County now has procurement and contract management software through B2Gnow. This system enables us to report on the participation of small, minority, and women-owned businesses more effectively and will enhance our ability to automate our current solicitation and contract monitoring and reporting systems.

Many of our vendor services and procurement processes will now be available all in one place, via Hamilton County's Purchasing and Inclusion Management System   through B2Gnow. Be sure to check out the links on this page for instructions about how to register to be a vendor with Hamilton County, respond to solicitations, and more.

How do I join Hamilton County's Vendor List?

Go to our site, find the "Vendor Registration" section, click "Join our Vendor List". From there, you will be prompted to log in/create a new account, and fill out the online vendor registration. To register to Hamilton County's Online Vendor List you will have to go to Hamilton County's Purchasing and Inclusion Management site   with B2Gnow, log in to your profile or create a new account, and then register to become a vendor with Hamilton County. Please be sure to watch this recorded vendor training   which will walk you through each step to completing the vendor registration with Hamilton County. Registering to this new online vendor list will be essential for us to be able to connect with your business about potential opportunities, trainings, and events as well as ensuring your profile is visible to County staff and other businesses and organizations who use our vendor list as a resource.

Where can I find training resources?

Go to Hamilton County's Purchasing and Inclusion Management System   page and look under the "System Training" section for training courses in a number of areas to become familiar with B2Gnow's platform.

To access Hamilton County-specific trainings, log in to your account, go to the "Help and Support" drop down menu on the left, click "Video Library," and browse through the training list to find those with Hamilton County in the title. These will be trainings related to Hamilton County's customized platform with B2Gnow.

How do I access my account?

To create a new account, go to the "Vendor Registration Section" and click the "Join our Vendor List" link. Then, select the "Create Account" link. The system will then give you step-by-step instructions to register your business with B2Gnow.

Instructions about how to access your preexisting account can be found by searching for your account in the "Account Lookup" section, or by watching the instructional videos located throughout the landing page.

I’m already registered to Hamilton County’s BOLD Vendor List, do I need to register online?

Yes, the County's BOLD List will now be housed online, and you must reregister. Registering to this new online vendor list will be essential for us to be able to connect with your business about potential opportunities, trainings, and events as well as ensuring your profile is visible to County staff and other businesses and organizations who use our vendor list as a resource.