You’ve completed the registration process for a local government in your sales territory, but…now what? What does being a “registered vendor” actually mean?

In short, registering your business with a local government means you’ve fulfilled a requirement to work with that government should the opportunity arise. However, over the course of many conversations with government vendors, I’ve noticed there are some common myths when it comes to registering as a vendor with local governments.

Let’s take a look at the top 3:

I’m registered, so I’m going to receive leads from that government, right?

Being registered with a local government does not ensure you’ll get notified of a bidding opportunity. The law varies, but, for many governments, the only requirement is to release the bid notification publically for 24 hours.

A local government can post bids on bulletin boards, in the newspaper or on its website, which means you’ll need to keep an eye on those sources for bid opportunities for any government you’re interested in doing business with.

If you frequently respond to RFPs but don’t have a lot of time to search for bid opportunities, consider a lead notification service that sends relevant leads straight to your inbox.

I’ve completed one registration, so now I’m registered with all local governments in my area, correct?

Each local government has a different process for its vendor registration. For some governments, it’s as simple as a quick phone call and you’re added to a paper list. For others, registration information is kept on an excel spreadsheet. If you’re really lucky, an online registration system might be in place that would allow you and other vendors to self-register.

Whatever the process, you’ll need to take the time to learn about and complete the registration requirements of each local government you’re interested in working with.

If you have a long list of governments to register with in your sales territory, consider a registration service that completes each registration on your behalf.

Do all local governments have the same paperwork requirements for registration?

In most cases, a local government will require a specific set of documents for its registration process. However, the amount of documentation varies depending on the government. Some won’t require any documentation at all, while others require a W­9, E­verify, insurance, etc.

Be sure to keep hard copies and electronic copies of your paperwork so you can provide the appropriate documentation to any governments you register with.

If you are registered with any Vendor Registry-partnering governments or subscribe to our Lead Notification or Registration services, all of your documentation will be kept in your electronic profile to be easily shared with other Vendor Registry supported governments.

What other questions do you have when it comes to registering with local governments? Leave your comments below or contact us anytime at cservice@vendorregistry.com. We’re happy to help!