Doing Business with the City of Long Beach

The City of Long Beach makes its purchases under authority granted in the City Charter. The City purchases most of its materials, supplies, equipment and services through a centralized purchasing system managed by the City Purchasing Agent.

Our mission is to provide City departments with quality and cost-effective products and services at a fair, competitive price in a timely manner.

Purchases are made by competitive bidding procedures that are not subject to negotiations. Awards are made to the lowest responsible bidder meeting the bid specifications.

The City is committed to provide maximum opportunities for small, disadvantaged, minority, women and Long Beach business enterprises to compete successfully in supplying our needs for products and services. We do this by placing a high priority on outreach, conducting business workshops, and contacting businesses through trade fairs and local, minority and women business associations.

To remain abreast of the City's current bids, we recommend that you:

  • Regularly visit our website at www.longbeach.gov/purchasing to obtain a current list of bids.
  • Check the classified section of the Long Beach Press Telegram for formal bids over $95,000.
  • Keep in contact with the buyer of your particular commodity or service.
  • Register your business in the City's Bidder Database BidsOnLine (TM).

BIDDER DATABASE BidsOnLine(TM)

The Purchasing Division maintains a database of suppliers for all classes of commodities and services purchased by the City. Suppliers in our database have an increased potential of being notified of our bids, but that does not guarantee that you will receive a bid notice. However, registering with BidsOneLine(TM) and regular visits to our website does provide you with a current list of open bids and more.

BidsOnLine(TM) is a web-based bid management system to simplify doing business with the City. Some key features and benefits of BidsOnLine(TM) include the ability to:

  • Maintain your own profile as a new or existing bidder.
  • Receive automatic email notifications for selected bid opportunities based on product/service categories.
  • Receive automatic addendum notification as a bid participant.
  • Search for various types of requests and addenda at any time.
  • Go to www.longbeach.gov/purchasing to register your business in the City's Bidder Database, BidsOnLine(TM).

LOCAL PREFERENCE PROGRAM

A local preference of 10% will be applied to Long Beach businesses on bids for materials, supplies, equipment or non-professional services.

The local preference applies to purchases up to $100,000. Only businesses that have a current, valid business license from the City showing a place of business within the City and have a Seller's Permit issued by the State Board of Equalization where the permit lists a Long Beach address are eligible for this program.

This program is part of the City's ongoing commitment to support our local business community.

BUSINESS LICENSE

All vendors doing business with the City of Long Beach are required to have a business license in Long Beach.  Link to Business License.

PURCHASING DIVISION

Visit our website at www.longbeach.gov/purchasing to acquaint yourself with the City's purchasing procedures, policies and personnel.

City Purchasing Agent: Erik Sund
Acounting Operations Officer: Olivia Valero
Buyers: Lenore Blueford, Michelle King, Regina Benavides, Yvonne A Lucas
Support Staff: Anne Takii, Daisy Devlin, Julie Smith

Purchasing Division
Business Relations Bureau
Dept of Financial Management
333 W Ocean Blvd/7th Floor
Long Beach CA 90802
Phone: 562-570-6200