Posting Requests For Proposals (RFPs) and Requests For Quotes (RFQs) on the WBEA website has been a new initiative for the WBEA in order to help our member gain more business opportunities.

These opportunities come from a variety of different sources. Some are sent to the WBEA office from state and local agencies or companies looking from HUB subcontractors and vendors, but others can be found on websites that are readily available to everyone.

One of the major websites is the State of Texas Window on State Government at http://www.window.state.tx.us/procurement /. This site is a one stop shop for finding state opportunities. Using this site you are able to do extensive and detailed searches through current state bids, and you are able to find the types of opportunities that fit your business.

If you don’t have time to monitor the bids on the state’s website, let the bids come to you. The Centralized Master Bidders List (CMBL), http://www.window.state.tx.us/procurement/prog/cmbl /, is a master database used by the State of Texas. Bid opportunities are sent to companies on the CMBL based on the products or services they can provide the state.

Registration on the CMBL would give your company more visibility to state agencies and institutions of higher education, and the state recommends that “manufacturers, suppliers, and other vendors wishing to furnish materials, equipment, supplies, and services to the state should apply to be on the CMBL to receive bidding opportunities.”

Even though many of your companies are State of Texas HUB certified, you are not on the CMBL unless you sign-up for the program. The great thing is, if you are HUB certified you don’t need to sign-up as a new vendor. The state already has your profile online, and all you need to do is register at https://cmblreg.cpa.state.tx.us/login_cmbl_only.cfm . Registration is $70.00 a year and is available online or you can print an application and send it in.

Take the time to ensure that all of your information is correct, and be as detailed as possible in classifying your business. This ensures that you get the most out of this opportunity.

Keep looking for more bid opportunities on the WBEA website. Bids are updated on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For questions concerning government and corporate bid opportunities, you can contact Brittany Barton at bbarton@wbea-teaxas.org .

Check out bid opportunities on the WBEA website
http://www.wbea-texas.org/public/PagPIGLO534334422.aspx