STEP-BY-STEP

Become a City Supplier

Businesses that are Suppliers can apply for and receive certain grants and contracts with the City.

City Administrator

Navigating the contracting process with the City and County of San Francisco can be complex.

Find the right City agency to contact for your contracting and compliance questions.

1

Have a current business registration

Make sure you have a current Business Registration Certificate from the San Francisco Treasurer and Tax Collector. If you don't, register here.

2

Complete a form W9

Time:5 minutes

Fill out an IRS form W9 for your business.

Avoid frequent mistakes:

  • Line 1 (Name): write your official business name EXACTLY as it is registered with the San Francisco Treasurer and Tax Collector.
  • Line 2 (Business Name): write your fictitious business name, if applicable, EXACTLY as it is registered with the County Clerk.
  • Part 1 (Taxpayer ID): fill in EITHER a Social Security Number or an Employer Identification Number, whichever is associated with the business, NOT BOTH.
  • Sign and date digitally OR photograph/scan a printed and signed copy. You will need to upload it later.
3

Register as a Bidder

Time:15 minutes

Complete the online form to register as a Bidder. 

Tips:

  • If you are a Legacy Business or otherwise are becoming a Supplier to receive a grant or provide goods or services to a City department, select "Selling Goods/Services" or "Both"
  • “Requested User ID” is whatever you would like your user ID to be
  • A DUNS is optional
  • Don't use Internet Explorer
4

Check your email

Time:A few minutes

Within a few minutes, you should receive an email from SF City Partner with a Bidder ID number.

5

Connect your new Bidder ID to your Business Account Number (BAN)

Time:A few minutes
  1. Enter your 7-digit Business Account Number here. You will find this on your Business Registration Certificate.
  2. Click “Validate.” Your business name should come up.
  3. Click “Continue”
  4. Enter all the information, including the Bidder ID twice.
  5. Click "Submit"
and

Receive Supplier ID from the Controller's Office

Time:A few days

The Controller’s Office will send you a Supplier ID via email after they have reviewed your information. This will likely take a few days.

6

For City contracts above $230,000, comply with the Equal Benefits Ordinance

Time:A few minutes to a few weeks

To comply, your business needs to provide equal benefits to domestic partners, as they would to spouses of employees. Read detailed information here.

  1. Before starting the Equal Benefits Declaration, have your business's:
    1. Employee count
    2. Benefit policies regarding spouses and domestic partners
  2. Log-in to SF City Partner
  3. Click “Equal Benefits Declaration”
  4. Complete the form and review your submission
  5. Click “Submit”
  6. Save the confirmation e-mail for your records

For questions, contact CMD.EqualBenefits@sfgov.org