Vendors must meet these requirements to do business with the District of Columbia.

Provide a Federal Identification Number and Dun and Bradstreet Number

Prior to the award of a contract, vendors must provide a Federal Tax ID Number and D&B number. Additionally, DC Office of Contracting & Procurement (OCP) may request a copies of Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) reports. For more information, please visit: Internal Revenue Service and Dun & Bradstreet.

D&B Telephone: (800) 333-0505.

Prove Tax Compliance

For contracts exceeding $100,000, vendors must show proof that their taxes are current and that, if in arrears, an approved payment schedule exists.

For more information, please contact the Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) at 202-727-4829 or otr.cfo.dc.gov

Show Proof of Unemployment Tax Compliance

For contracts exceeding $100,000, vendors must show proof of current Unemployment Tax payments.

For more information, please contact the Department of Employment Services (DOES) at 202-724-7000 or does.dc.gov

Submit an Affirmative Action Plan

For contracts exceeding $25,000, vendors must submit an Affirmative Action Plan. Local vendors may qualify for the District's Small, Local, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and Resident Business Owner Certification. Vendors who are certified receive preference points in the competitive solicitation process. OCP supports the Mayor's initiatives to enhance economic development in the District. OCP encourages all eligible District businesses to consider certification.

For more information, contact the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD):

441 4th Street, NW 
Washington, DC 20001
Telephone: (202) 727-3900; Fax: (202) 724-3786

Register in ARIBA eSourcing

Select the Vendor Registration Process to register for our electronic solicitations. Opportunities are advertised on the OCP website via eSourcing. For solicitations over $250,000, regulations require at least one notice in a newspaper of general circulation. Currently, business opportunities are advertised in the classified section of The Washington Times. OCP now uses an electronic solicitation system. Paper copies are no longer available at the DC Office of Contracting and Procurement. For capital construction and related architectural and engineering projects, copies are available at the Reeves Center, 2000 14th Street, NW, 3rd Floor, Washington, DC 20005.

Vendors are responsible for checking OCP's website daily in the event that amendments are made to a solicitation.

Note: Internet access is available through branches of the District of Columbia Library.

Show Proof of Valid Business License

Any vendor seeking to do business with the District of Columbia must be current with District and federal taxes or has worked out and is current with a payment schedule approved by the District or federal government and is in compliance with business and corporate license requirements.

For more information about business licensing, please contact the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs at 202-442-4400.