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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility, Government

Become a City Vendor

The Procurement Department continues to improve the payment process, vendor relations with the city, the bidding process, and vendor access to city procurement. Our goal is to educate vendors by outlining the city’s guidelines and explaining how they can participate in city business. We strive to develop strong business relationships with vendors who provide a wide array of goods and services at the best possible value to the city.

Tips for Becoming a City Vendor

  • Is there a need for your product or service?
  • What is the level of demand within the city government?
  • Which departments could use your offerings? Can you identify them?
  • Does the city have the infrastructure to support your proposed solution?
  • Who are your competitors?
  • What gives you a competitive advantage—technical expertise, unique skills?
  • Review the presentation and video that explain how to respond to city solicitations.
  • Learn who in each department identifies the city’s needs and converts them into purchasing specifications.
  • Get to know the departments that develop these specifications.
  • Teach your employees how city procurement works.
  • Many city purchases are made through open bidding—understand how this process applies to your goods and services.
  • Familiarize yourself with the Procurement Department and its key personnel. Ensure they know your business and have your latest information. Note that this department may not be the one setting specifications.
  • Visit the Vendor Invoicing and Payments page to learn how the city’s accounts payable system operates.
  • Carefully review all documents, such as purchase orders, and comply with their terms to avoid payment delays.
  • Set realistic expectations for payment timelines.

Vendor Registration

Rockville does not maintain its own vendor registration site or bidders list. The city posts all formal solicitations (IFBs and RFPs generally valued at $50,000 or more) and most informal solicitations (RFQs valued at less than $50,000) on the State of Maryland’s eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA) website. Vendors must register with eMMA to receive bid notifications from the City of Rockville. Note: The City of Rockville reserves the right to use other methods of soliciting offers to meet the city’s needs for goods, services, or construction.

Vendor Connection Portal

Vendors may use this portal to submit ideas and connect with the city departments best suited to utilize their goods or services. Completing this form does not guarantee a purchase order (PO) or contract. All standard procurement processes follow Chapter 17 of the Rockville City Code.

Vendor Connection Portal

Minority-, Female-, Disabled-, or Veteran-Owned Business Outreach Program

The Minority-, Female-, Disabled-, or Veteran-Owned (MFD-V) Business Outreach Program expands opportunities for MFD-V businesses to engage with Rockville’s procurement process and compete effectively for city contracts.

The city is committed to keeping the MFD-V business community engaged and informed. Our outreach efforts include attending business events and networking opportunities to share information about the city’s needs and upcoming bid opportunities.

Procurement Department staff are available for one-on-one meetings with vendors to provide guidance and support in navigating the city’s procurement process.

Purchase Process

The city makes purchases under the authority of Chapter 17 of the Rockville City Code. The following table provides an overview of the processes and criteria the city uses for procurement decisions.

AmountProcurement ProcessAward Determination
Less than $10,000No competition or quotes required.Payment made via Procurement
purchase card or GAX (direct
payment).
$10,001 to $50,000Informal written quotes required via a
Request for Quotes (RFQ).		Award made to the lowest responsive,
responsible bidder.
$50,001 to $250,000Formal written bids or proposals
required via an Invitation for Bids
(IFB) or a Request for Proposals (RFP).		Award made to the lowest responsive,
responsible bidder or best offeror
with the best proposal. Approval is
required from the city manager.
Over $250,000Formal written bids or proposals
required via an Invitation for Bids
(IFB) or a Request for Proposals (RFP).		Award made to the lowest responsive,
responsible bidder or best offeror
with the best proposal. Approval is
required from the Mayor and Council.

The city may “ride” or “piggyback” on contracts established by another governmental entity when it is proven that a competitive process was completed by that jurisdiction. Vendors willing to extend existing pricing to the city from other governmental entities should notify the Procurement Department.

The city uses p-cards, purchase orders, master agreements, and contracts to facilitate authorized procurements. Vendors providing goods or services should ensure they have one of the aforementioned documents before proceeding with any requests. Responding to such requests without authorization is at the vendor’s own risk and may result in non-payment.

Surplus Property

The Procurement Department is responsible for the sale or disposal of scrap and surplus property, typically through online auctions. Questions about surplus property should be directed to the stockroom at 240-314-8441.

Public Surplus

Sales Calls and Visits

Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday, excluding city holidays. Due to limited staff resources, unscheduled visits by vendors and contractors are discouraged. To schedule an appointment, contact one of the buyers listed on the Procurement Department page.

Jump To

Contact

Procurement Department
240-314-8430
procurement@rockvillemd.gov

Hours
Monday – Friday
8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Address
Rockville City Hall
111 Maryland Ave.
Rockville, MD 20850

Resources

Bid on City Solicitations