How to Register as a Vendor in Maine

What it's for

Maine's Vendor Self-Service (VSS) is the one place to register, list the commodities and services you provide, find opportunities and respond to state solicitations online. Since October 1, 2025, all new Division of Procurement Services solicitations are posted in VSS. The older RFP page on maine.gov is mostly an archive now.

Have this ready

• A username and password you'll remember. Both are case sensitive.
• TIN type and number (EIN or SSN)
• Your business classification (you pick it during registration)
• Legal, Administrative, Ordering and Payment addresses (they can all be the same), plus an optional Billing address
• A contact person for each address type
• Commodity codes. The state posts NIGP and commodity code lists on the VSS page.
• Registration with the Maine Secretary of State if it applies to your business (not stated in the VSS guide)

Steps

1. On the state's VSS page, download the VSS Registration & User Guide (updated 10/1/2025) and watch the August 2025 registration training video.
2. Open VSS. You can browse solicitations as a guest, or start a new vendor registration.
3. Fill in every field marked with a red asterisk: login details, TIN type and number, classification, addresses and contacts.
4. Submit. The thank-you page explains how to download the Substitute W-9 Certification form.
5. Look for the "WELCOME TO ADVANTAGEME VSS" email, which should come within the hour.
6. Log in and add commodity codes to your vendor record. You can search codes by description.
7. Fill out the Substitute W-9 and mail or fax it to the Office of the State Controller, Attn: Vendor Registration, 14 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0014. The state strongly recommends this.

After you register

• VSS emails you new solicitations that match your commodity codes, plus cancellations, amendments and award notices.
• Use Account Maintenance to update contacts, addresses and commodity codes.
• You need an active Vendor Code (VC or VS) to sign a contract with the state. The Substitute W-9 is part of getting set up for payment.
• Ask questions about a specific bid only through that solicitation's Question & Answer link.
• VSS Help Desk (login/password): (207) 624-7889 or VSS.helpdesk@maine.gov. General VSS questions: (207) 624-7340.

Watch out for

• Construction and DOT. Public improvement (construction) projects are run by the Bureau of General Services, Planning/Design/Construction (maine.gov/dafs/bgs/business-opportunities). MaineDOT advertises its own projects.
• RFIs, PQVLs and grants have their own pages. Check them if they apply to you.
• Pop-ups. VSS uses pop-up windows, so allow them in your browser.
• Fees. No fee is stated. You don't need a paid third-party "registration service."

Certifications and bid preferences in Maine

• Maine in-state tie-bid preference and reciprocal preference (5 MRSA §1825-B); work center purchases

Standard bid forms for Maine

These are the forms bidders are most often asked to sign or attach on Maine 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.maine.gov/dafs/bbm/procurementservices/vendors/vendor-self-service-system
• www.maine.gov/dafs/bbm/procurementservices/sites/maine.gov.dafs.bbm.procurementserv
• www.maine.gov/dafs/bbm/procurementservices/vendors/rfps
• www.maine.gov/osc/accounting/vendor-information/bidding-vendors
• www.maine.gov/dafs/bgs/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.