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Partner with the U: Discover Opportunities for Your Business

The University is dedicated to fostering a competitive and diverse supply chain that promotes local economic development. 

If you own a business and are interested in pursuing work at the U, follow the steps below to:

  • Learn about the U’s purchasing policies and procedures.
  • Position your business to discover bidding opportunities.
  • Join our network to learn of OSD events designed to connect U buyers, U prime contractors, and their subcontractors.

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Step 1. Fill In Our Business Intake Form

Filling out our Business Intake Form is the first and most important step, as it provides the OSD with essential details about you and your business.

  • Goal: This streamlined process reduces back-and-forth communication and ensures all necessary information is collected in one place. Completing the form also clarifies expectations and priorities early on.
  • Action: Complete our Business Intake Form.

Step 2. Register As a Supplier on MBid to View and Monitor Formal Bid Opportunities

Register as a supplier on MBid, the U’s e-procurement portal, to be notified of formal bidding opportunities at the U.

The Competitive Bid Process

The University utilizes an open and competitive RFx (Request for X) process for large purchases to ensure it obtains quality products and services at fair and reasonable prices.

  • RFP = Request for Proposal (Best value wins)
  • RFB = Request for Bid (Low bid wins)

Purchasing Services manages the RFx process for purchases that exceed specific dollar thresholds.

  • MBid Registration: You must register in MBid to receive notifications of bid opportunities.
  • Thresholds: For the most up-to-date information on bidding thresholds, please visit Purchasing Services and click on "Sign Up to View Bid Opportunities."

Maximizing Opportunity: External Registration

The University sometimes leverages contracts from the State of Minnesota or purchasing cooperatives.

Action Recommended: We advise that you also register as a supplier in the State of Minnesota supplier portal. This will ensure you receive notifications of additional opportunities that may arise in your category.

Step 3. Learn Our Needs and Strategically Target Departments

The University's purchasing process is highly decentralized. Department buyers have the authority to select suppliers for any purchases under the formal bidding thresholds outlined in Step 2.

While OSD organizes events to encourage U buyers to explore new and diverse suppliers, the primary responsibility lies with you to identify and market to your most promising potential clients at the U.

Action Plan: Targeted Outreach

  1. Identify Buyers: Explore the U of M's Department Contact Page to identify departments that may be potential buyers for your specific products or services.
  2. Research Alignment: This research helps you understand where your business aligns with the University's decentralized needs.
  3. Initiate Contact: We recommend researching and reaching out to 3–4 departments to introduce your business.

Tip for Success: Avoid the Inbox

A mailed brochure or flyer is strongly recommended, as most University staff receive a high volume of marketing emails daily.

Department Contact Page

Step 4. Network and Engage for Lasting Relationships

Building relationships is a key part of doing business with the University. OSD is here to help you connect directly with University buyers and prime contractors through a variety of engagement events.

OSD Engagement Opportunities:

The OSD hosts events such as:

  • Pitch Sessions
  • The Annual Supplier Engagement Expo
  • Meet & Eats
  • And more!

These events provide valuable opportunities to introduce your company, learn about upcoming needs, ask questions, and strengthen your visibility within the University community.

Your Strategy for Success:

By showing up consistently and actively engaging (or co-hosting) in these networking opportunities, you can foster and open up new relationships for future purchasing opportunities. Successful suppliers leverage these events to gain insights and build trust.

Construction, Architecture, and Engineering

The following steps are for Construction, Architecture, and Engineering businesses and/or businesses interested in pursuing work in Construction, Architecture, and Engineering Projects:

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Step 5. For Construction, Architecture, and Engineering Projects: Complete Matchmaking Form

If you are a potential respondent or subcontractor for Construction, Architecture, or Engineering RFPs:

Use the MBid Matchmaking Form

Every related RFP opportunity in MBid includes an "online matchmaking form" in the RFP email announcement and in MBid.  We strongly encourage you to monitor the MBid emails and complete this form.

How it works: Once you complete the form, your information is added to a corresponding matchmaking list that is visible to all other interested parties.

Key Benefit: This is an excellent, proactive opportunity for Targeted Business subcontractors to network directly with prime contractors/general contractors bidding on the project, and vice versa. 

Step 6. For Construction Prime Contractors: Annual Safety Compliance

This step is required only for Prime Contractors bidding on University construction projects.

All Construction Prime Contractors interested in performing work on the University of Minnesota campus must annually demonstrate compliance with our health, safety, and environmental standards.

Action Required: Complete the Safety RFQ

The University evaluates a potential Prime Contractor’s health and safety programs and previous performance through a formal review process. Only those contractors that receive a passing score can be awarded a future University project.

To complete the mandatory safety evaluation, visit https://purchasing.umn.edu/suppliers and click on “Supplier Forms Related to Requests for Proposal/Bid Responses.”

Step-Up for Targeted Businesses

If your business is a Targeted Group Business (i.e. 51% owned and operated by BIPOC, women, or disabled individuals), there are two additional steps you can take to leverage your designation:

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Step 1. Get Certified as a BIPOC-, Woman-, or Disabled-Owned Business

The University accepts certifications from the following seven agencies:

The first three agencies listed above provide certifications free of charge. Learn more about eligibility requirements and apply to these three agencies all at once through the Small Business Certification Portal. Remember, you must be certified as one or more of these protected classes: BIPOC-, women-, or disabled-owned.

Need certification assistance? The Minnesota Department of Administration's APEX Accelerator can help. Contact a counselor today to get started.

Step 2. Get Listed in the U of M Targeted Business Directory

The University of Minnesota relies on small and large suppliers to help us fulfill our core mission of teaching, research, and community service. Our university is a large, complex organization and we need a wide variety of products and services. If you can think of it, we probably buy it at some point during any given year.

Our Targeted Business Directory is intended to be the first stop for university personnel who are seeking to purchase goods and services from business enterprises owned and operated by BIPOC, women, and/or persons with disabilities. Join the directory today to be discovered by University decision makers seeking your good or service.

Submit Your Business