How to Register as a Vendor in Mississippi

What it's for

Mississippi's Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) runs state purchasing through MAGIC, the state's accounting and procurement system. Registering as a supplier lets you choose the product categories you sell, get RFx (bid) invitations by email, and respond online through Supplier Self-Service.

Have this ready

• FEIN, or SSN for a sole proprietor
• Legal company name, address, phone and email. Phone and email are required.
• A contact person to receive bid invitations
• A signed IRS W-9 in PDF format
• The product categories that describe your goods and services. These decide which bid invitations you get.
• Optional: D-U-N-S number (DFA recommends one if you have multiple locations)

Steps

1. Check whether you already exist. On DFA's MAGIC Vendor Information page, search by the first five characters of your vendor name or your 11-digit vendor number. Businesses the state has paid before may already have a record.
2. If you already have a record but no login, email mash@dfa.ms.gov with the subject "Vendor ID Request." Include your MAGIC vendor number, name, contact details and phone.
3. If you are new, open the "State of Mississippi Supplier Registration" link from DFA's Supplier Self-Service page and complete the online form. DFA also accepts a paper Supplier Registration Form sent to the agency you want to do business with.
4. Choose your product categories carefully. They control which invitations you receive.
5. Watch for the email with logon instructions, then sign in to the MAGIC Portal (portal.magic.ms.gov).
6. Upload your W-9 (PDF only) to your supplier account. DFA says you must submit the W-9 after registering before you can be awarded a contract.

After you register

• Bid invitations go by email to your supplier contact person. Notices also appear on the public Procurement Opportunity search, in newspapers, and in the portal.
• You can respond through Supplier Self-Service or on paper, as each RFx allows. If the RFx allows it, you can edit your response until the deadline.
• Profile changes (addresses, contacts, categories) must be reviewed and approved by the state before they take effect. Keep your information current.
• DFA offers a free online Supplier Registration Course and a reference guide on its Supplier Training page.

Watch out for

• A letter of intent to award isn't final until a contract is signed.
• IT purchases go through ITS, which posts its own RFPs. MDOT road and bridge lettings are separate from DFA's search. Whether Bureau of Building construction projects appear in the DFA search wasn't confirmed, so check the Bureau of Building's pages on dfa.ms.gov as well.
• Some agencies also advertise on their own websites.
• You can register yourself for free through DFA. You don't need a paid "registration service."

Sources

• www.dfa.ms.gov/vendors
• www.dfa.ms.gov/supplier-self-service
• www.dfa.ms.gov/sites/default/files/MMRS%20Home/Supplier%20Training/MAGIC%20Supplier%
• www.ms.gov/dfa/contract_bid_search/Bid?autoloadGrid=true
• www.dfa.ms.gov/bids-and-rfps-notices

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.