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Vendor Registration: A Complete Overview
To sell products or services to any government agency, you must first register as an approved vendor. This page provides an overview of the vendor registration process that applies to most states.
Before You Register
Make sure you have these items ready before starting any state vendor registration:
- FEIN/EIN — your Federal Employer Identification Number
- UEI — your Unique Entity Identifier from SAM.gov
- CAGE Code — assigned through SAM.gov
- W-9 form (signed)
- Business license / certificate of formation
- Insurance certificates (general liability, workers comp if applicable)
- Commodity codes that match your products/services
The General Registration Process
- Find the state’s vendor portal — each state has its own eProcurement system. Visit our State Directory for direct links.
- Create an account — provide your business legal name, address, tax ID, and contact information.
- Select commodity codes — choose the categories that match what you sell.
- Upload required documents — W-9, insurance, licenses, certifications.
- Submit and wait for approval — processing times vary from immediate to 10+ business days.
- Set up bid notifications — configure alerts so you’re notified when relevant opportunities are posted.
Tips for Success
- Most state registrations are free — be wary of services charging fees
- Keep your registration current — many states require annual renewal
- Register in multiple states if you can serve customers across state lines
- Look into small business, minority, women-owned, and veteran-owned certification programs — many states offer set-aside contracts for qualifying businesses
Last updated: April 2026.