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 or Edit your existing Registration to bid for City contracts.
• View a list of Contractors/Vendors registered with the City of San Diego.
• For small and emerging businesses, please visit Purchasing & Contracting Department’s Vendor Outreach program.

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

Rules Implementing the Living Wage Ordinance (PDF: 204KB) provide guidance for contractors to comply fully with San Diego Municipal Code Division 42 (Living Wage Ordinance) which requires covered employers and their subcontractors to pay a wage sufficient for a full-time worker to meet basic needs and avoid economic hardship. The following LWO information and forms are included.

   • Current Living Wage Rates (PDF: 9KB)

   • Notice to Employees (English, Spanish) (PDF: 80KB)

   • Certification of Compliance (PDF: 76KB)

   • Application for Exemption (PDF: 92KB)

   • Employee Complaint Form (English, Spanish) (PDF: 101KB)

Rules for Awarding Contracts for Services over $50,000 (PDF: 36KB) provide procedures to determine bidders and contractors are capable to fully perform contract requirements and have the business integrity to justify award of public tax dollars, as required by San Diego Municipal Code 22.3224. The Contractor Standards Questionnaire (PDF: 120KB), included in all applicable contracts, is provided here in a fillable version.

Business Taxes - The City of San Diego requires vendors to comply with Section 31.0301 (PDF: 122KB) of the San Diego Municipal Code regarding business taxes.

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 Indentification 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.