How to Register as a Vendor in Utah

What it's for

The Utah Public Procurement Place (U3P) is where the Division of Purchasing and General Services and the Division of Facilities Construction and Management (DFCM) post solicitations. Many local entities use it too. U3P moved from Jaggaer to Bonfire. DFCM started posting on Bonfire on February 1, 2025, and Purchasing aimed to finish its move by April 30, 2025. A Bonfire vendor account lets you get email notices and submit responses online.

Have this ready

• Legal business name, address, and contacts. The older U3P FAQ says notices go to your "sales and corporate contacts," so set those up carefully.
• Business email you check often
• Commodity codes for your work. DFCM's list uses UNSPSC-style codes (for example 72 Construction Services, 76.11 Janitorial Services), and the state guide says you can also register NAICS codes.
• FEIN/EIN and a W-9 for when you win and need to be paid. The vendor guide doesn't list these for registration, so confirm with the buyer.

Steps

1. Go to the U3P Bonfire portal (portal_url above).
2. Choose Register (DFCM says it's at the top right of the screen).
3. Watch the state's 5-minute registration video, linked from DFCM and the Division of Purchasing's "For Vendors Training" page. The page also links a Vendor Registration PDF guide.
4. Create your account and enter your company details.
5. Select at least one commodity code. DFCM says "it is essential that you select the appropriate commodity codes" if you want notices.
6. Browse Open Opportunities and respond online before the deadline.

After you register

• You'll get emails for events in your registered categories.
• Add codes any time you start offering new work. The FAQ suggests also adding the codes listed on solicitations you plan to bid on.
• Bids are sealed until the deadline. The FAQ warns that submissions don't automatically get a confirmation email, so check your submission in the portal.
• For technical problems, contact Bonfire support. DFCM says it doesn't provide platform tech support.

Watch out for

• Old accounts may not count. DFCM told vendors they had to register on the new Bonfire platform to keep getting notices. If you only registered on the old Jaggaer (SciQuest) system, sign up on Bonfire.
• Premium upgrades: Bonfire offers an optional paid vendor tier. The state says registering and responding are free, so you don't need it.
• Construction is on the same portal: DFCM building projects post on U3P-Bonfire. UDOT highway design and construction are posted separately through udot.utah.gov.
• Some of the state's written guides were written before the move to Bonfire. If a screen doesn't match, follow the current video and guide on purchasing.utah.gov.

Certifications and bid preferences in Utah

• Utah reciprocal preferences for Utah products and resident contractors; Utah resident tie-bid rule

Standard bid forms for Utah

These are the forms bidders are most often asked to sign or attach on Utah 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

• dfcm.utah.gov/dfcm-is-moving-to-a-new-utah-public-procurement-place-platform
• purchasing.utah.gov/training/for-vendors-training/
• purchasing.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/Vendor-Guide-11.6.2024.pdf
• purchasing.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/U3P-FAQs-for-Vendors.pdf

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.