How to Register as a Vendor in Indiana

What it's for

The Indiana Department of Administration (IDOA) runs state purchasing for executive-branch agencies. A bidder profile lets you sign in to the Indiana Supplier Portal, where you can view and respond to bid events and update your profile. You also use the portal for Pay Audit reporting, the Buy Indiana and Supplier Diversity applications, and the ACE form.

Have this ready

• Legal company name and any "doing business as" name
• Taxpayer Identification Number (FEIN/EIN or SSN). Each bidder profile needs its own TIN.
• A primary email address that no other bidder profile uses. It becomes your Supplier Portal login.
• UNSPSC codes for your goods and services (Indiana uses UNSPSC, not NIGP)
• Company contact names, phone numbers and addresses
• Registration with the Indiana Secretary of State if your business type needs it (the registration pages reviewed did not state it as a requirement)

Steps

1. Check IDOA's Registered Bidders List to see whether your company already has a profile, so you don't make a duplicate.
2. Download the official Bidder Registration Guide from the Bidder Profile Registration page.
3. Start the Bidder Registration Application from the Create a Bidder Profile page.
4. On the identifying information page, enter your TIN. If you get an "Invalid Tax Identification Number" error, you can't continue until it's fixed.
5. Add company contacts with a unique email address, then add your UNSPSC codes. If a code you found is rejected, submit a Request for Assistance.
6. Submit. IDOA creates the profile and an overnight process sends your email to Access Indiana.
7. After 6:30 AM (Indianapolis time) the next business day, sign in to the Supplier Portal through Access Indiana, creating an Access Indiana account if you don't have one.

After you register

• Use the Supplier Portal to view and respond to events and keep your profile current, especially the primary email and UNSPSC codes.
• Consider the Buy Indiana and Supplier Diversity applications in the portal if they fit your business.
• Check the Current Business Opportunities page regularly. How bid email notices work was not confirmed in the sources reviewed.
• A renewal schedule was not confirmed in official sources.

Watch out for

• Small purchases are often not posted centrally. Purchases under about $75,000 are often requested by individual agencies, so contact the agencies you want to sell to.
• Construction and DOT. State building construction is bid through IDOA's Public Works Division (in.gov/idoa/pwd), and INDOT lets its own highway contracts.
• Many bids are submitted by email as the event instructions direct. Read each event's documents closely.
• Paid services. Registration appears free. You don't need a paid third-party "registration service."

Certifications and bid preferences in Indiana

• Indiana Supplier Diversity Program (MBE/WBE certification, IDOA Division of Supplier Diversity)

Standard bid forms for Indiana

These are the forms bidders are most often asked to sign or attach on Indiana state bids. Each bid lists exactly which ones it needs, and many agencies attach their own copies, so always use the version in the bid documents when there is one.

Sources

• www.in.gov/idoa/procurement/supplier-resource-center/requirements-to-do-business
• www.in.gov/idoa/procurement/supplier-resource-center/requirements-to-do-business
• www.in.gov/idoa/procurement/files/BidderRegistration_Guide.pdf
• www.in.gov/idoa/procurement/current-business-opportunities/

FindMyBids isn't affiliated with any government agency. Registration is free or low cost on official sites; you don't need to pay a third party. Always follow the official portal's instructions.