Important forms and information for vendors interested in doing business with the City of San Diego Purchasing & Contracting Department.

Legal Authority

For legal documents that govern the bidding requirements of the City of San Diego, please refer to City Charter Article V, Section 35 (PDF: 57KB), which outlines the responsibilities of the Purchasing & Contracting Department, and Chapter 2, Article 2, Division 32 (PDF: 25KB) of the Municipal Code, which describes when contracts may be entered into and whether a contract must be competitively bid.

Purchasing & Contracting Workshops

The Purchasing & Contracting Department conducts free workshops for vendors and service providers on how to conduct business with the City of San Diego. Check the schedule of workshops (PDF: 47KB) for more information.

Contractor/Vendor Registration

• View the Commodity Listing (PDF: 172KB) to see the types of commodities the City purchases.
• Register with the City to bid for City contracts.
• Download and complete the SLBE Application (PDF: 253KB) to register for the Small Local Business Enterprise Program.
• For small and emerging businesses, please visit Purchasing & Contracting Department’s Vendor Outreach program.
• Download and complete the Electronic Funds Transfer Vendor Enrollment Form (ACH) (PDF) to receive your city payments electronically.

Contract Requirements

General Provisions are the legally-binding clauses that frame the solicitation process and are part of any contract. Please review your contract document for the applicable General Provisions listed below.

1. General Provisions (PDF: 39KB) dated September 12, 2001
2. General Provisions for Bids (PDF: 140KB) dated January 3, 2005
3. General Provisions for Proposals (PDF: 139KB) dated January 18, 2005
4. Water Quality - Best Management Practices Requirements (PDF: 15KB) dated April 1, 2008

San Diego Municipal Code Division 43 (Equal Benefits Ordinance) (PDF) requires the City to contract only with contractors that offer the same employment benefits to employees with spouses and employees with domestic partners. For more information, visit the Equal Benefits Program website.

   • Notice to Employees (English, Spanish) (PDF)

   • Certification of Compliance (PDF)

   • Employee Complaint Form (English, Spanish) (PDF)

San Diego Municipal Code Division 42 (Living Wage Ordinance) (PDF) requires covered employers and their subcontractors to pay a wage sufficient for a full-time worker to meet basic needs and avoid economic hardship. For more information, visit the Living Wage Program website.

   • Current Living Wage Rates (PDF)

   • Notice to Employees (English, Spanish) (PDF)

   • Certification of Compliance (PDF)

   • Application for Exemption (PDF)

   • Employee Complaint Form (English, Spanish) (PDF)

San Diego Municipal Code 22.3224 (Contractor Standards Ordinance). The Contractor Standards Pledge of Compliance (PDF) applies to contracts over $50,000 and requires the City to determine prior to award whether a bidder has the capacity to perform a contract and the business integrity to justify award of tax dollars. For more information, visit the Living Wage Program, Companion Ordinances Website.

Americans with Disabilities Act (PDF: 20KB) - Every person or organization awarded a contract, lease, or grant by the City of San Diego acknowledges and agrees that it is aware of and will comply with Council Policy 100-04, adopted by Resolution No. 282153 relating to the Federally-mandated Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Contractors and subcontractors will be individually responsible for their own ADA program.

Drug-Free Workplace (PDF: 19KB) pertains to the City Council policy on Drug-Free Workplaces. The policy establishes the requirement that all City construction contractors, consultants, grantees, and providers of non-professional services agree to comply with this Drug-Free Workplace Policy.

Displaced Janitor Opportunity Act pertains to services and contracts and is provided for informational purposes only. The City of San Diego does not provide legal advice to any bidder or contract awardee. See the City of San Diego Disclaimers page for more information. Consult a legal advisor for more information.

Purchase Order Requirements

The Purchase Order Conditions are legally-binding conditions which describe the responsibilities of the vendor and the City.

The Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 - Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification must be on file with Purchasing prior to award of a bid or contract.

Insurance and Bond Requirements outline the insurance and bond requirements for vendors contracting with the City.