Bid a Service, Commodity, Building Construction

• For solicitations issued by the Procurement Services Division, register at Bidnet Direct. Registration is FREE when you register as a “Limited Access” user and opt for the “Stand Out from Competition” option.
• For Capital Infrastructure Project bid solicitations issued by the City’s Engineering Department, call 256-427-5300 or visit Bid an Infrastructure Project.

• For commodities, services, and building construction projects, visit Bidnet Direct
• For capital infrastructure projects, visit Bid an Infrastructure Project

A City business license is not required to submit a bid proposal; however, a City business license is required prior to the issuance of a Purchase Order (PO) and/or execution of a contract. If your business is commercially or residentially based within the city limits of Huntsville, you are required to obtain and maintain a City of Huntsville business license.

Every business is different. The Clerk-Treasurer’s Office aids in helping businesses determine which requirements must be met to operate and/or conduct business within the city limits of Huntsville.

Visit Licensing & Permits to find out more information about business license requirements.

The City collects and administers the following taxes: Consumer Use, Gasoline, Liquor, Lodging, Rental/Leasing, Sales, Tobacco, and Wine. The City adheres to the same rules, regulations, definitions and procedures adopted by the Alabama Department of Revenue for the purpose of collecting and administering taxes. The tax rates imposed by the City may be different than those of the State or County.  Visit City Taxes to find out more information about the tax requirements.

City vendors can update their information by completing this Vendor Information and Electronic Funds Transfer Authorization Form. You will need to know your City-assigned vendor number, which can be found on previously issued purchase orders (POs) or checks.

If your business has been awarded a contract or engaged to provide goods/services to the City, you may register for a City vendor account by completing the Vendor Information and Electronic Funds Transfer Authorization Form. Note: A vendor account will only be set up for those businesses that have been contracted or hired to provided the City with goods/services.

Vendors may also choose to receive payments via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) in lieu of a normal paper check.  To receive payment via EFT, complete this form and attach a voided check or bank letter, along with an IRS W9 form.

• Bid openings are open to the public for all bid solicitations issued in accordance with Titles 41 and 39 of the Code of Alabama, 1975 as amended.
• Procurement Services bid openings are held in the 1st Floor Chambers of Huntsville City Hall, located at 308 Fountain Circle, Huntsville, Alabama 35801, on the date and time specified in the bid documents.
• Engineering Services bid openings are held in the 1st Floor Conference Room of the Public Services Building, located at 320 Fountain Circle, Huntsville, Alabama 35801, on the date and time specified in the bid documents.

• Upon City Council approval, the selected vendor/contractor is mailed a letter of award.
• Procurement Services posts bid results to Bidnet Direct.
• Engineering Services posts bid results Bid Results.

• The City adheres to its Procurement Policy as outlined in Ordinance No. 96-864, as amended, and Titles 41 and 39 of the Code of Alabama 1975, as amended.
• The City may utilize one of the four following avenues: Quotes (formal and informal), Competitive Bid, State of Alabama Purchasing Contracts, or State approved Purchasing Cooperative Agreements.

Title 41-16-20—Commodities and Services

• $4,999 and below: may be made at the discretion of the department without the solicitation of quotes or subjection to the competitive bid process
• $5,000—$29,999: may be made at the discretion of the  department and require the obtaining of three (3) informal/written quotes and does not require the subjection to the competitive bid process
• $30,000 or more: must be subjected to the competitive bid process

Title 39-2-2—Public Works Improvements/Projects

• $29,999 and below: may be made at the discretion of the department without the solicitation of quotes or subjection to the competitive bid process
• $30,000—$100,000: may be made at the discretion of the department and require the obtaining of three (3) informal/written quotes and does not require the subjection to the competitive bid process
• $100,000 or more: must be subjected to the competitive bid process

• Yes, the City is exempt from the assessment of sales and/or use tax in accordance with Section 40-23-4(11) of the Code of Alabama 1975, as amended. A copy of the City’s tax exemption certificate is provided upon request upon the issuance of a purchase order or execution of a contract.

• Yes, State bid law provides the following preference provisions:
• Local Preference – Purchases or contracts may be awarded to a business that is based within the established Local Preference Zone whose bid is no more than five percent (5%) greater than the lowest responsible bidder.
• MBE, WBE, VBE, DBE, SME Preference – Purchases or contracts may be awarded to one of these business types provided the business is State based and whose bid is no more than ten percent (10%) greater than the foreign entity (no-State based business).

• Each shipment of goods and/or provision of services shall be invoiced separately based on the requesting department and the purchase order (PO) issued.
• To receive payment, vendors shall submit an itemized invoice that represents the goods and/or services on the City-issued PO. All invoices must be numbered and reference the City’s PO number and if applicable contract number.
• Payment of invoices are usually made within thirty (30) days of receipt of the invoice and confirmation of receipt of goods and/or performance of service.  All original invoices shall be submitted to the City’s Accounts  Payable Division.

• Please click on the link to learn more about policies and deadlines to protest the bid process or contract award.

Procurement Bid Protest Procedures