Information for Vendors

Vendors must submit certain forms and meet certain requirements to be considered for a contract with the City of Berkeley. Local businesses receive preference from the City on bids for contracts. These policies ensure that the City of Berkeley works with vendors who are in compliance with local laws and are operating their businesses in a socially responsible manner.

Vendors must have a Berkeley business license

In order to work with the City of Berkeley, vendors must have an active business license in the City of Berkeley. Learn about how to apply for a business license.

Potential Vendor’s List

If your business is interested in working with the City, submit the Vendor Information Application,  W-9 Form and additional certification forms (links below) to the Finance Department General Services Division at purchasing@cityofberkeley.info.

(Note: Submitting all required documents and information to be considered for future work is not a guarantee of acceptance as a vendor.)

Vendor Application and W-9 Form

You may also be required to submit additional forms listed below:

• Nondiscrimination / Workforce Composition Form (Required for business with 5 or more employees)
  • PDF file to print and fill out by hand
  • Excel file to fill in digitally and print
• Oppressive States Compliance Statement
  • Statement for Commodities Vendors
  • Statement for Personal Services Vendors
• Nuclear Free Zone Disclosure Form
• Sanctuary City Compliance Statement Form
• Living Wage Form
• Equal Benefits Ordinance Disclosure Form

Vendors paid over $25k annually must comply with the Living Wage Ordinance

Vendors paid more than $25,000 per year by the City of Berkeley must comply with the Living Wage Ordinance to be considered for a contract with the City. Complete and submit a Living Wage Certification form.

Effective July 1, 2022, vendors must pay employees $17.41 per hour plus a medical benefit equivalent to at least $2.89 per hour. If the employer does not provide the employee at least $2.89 per hour toward an employee medical benefits plan, the employer shall pay an hourly wage of not less than $20.30.

Vendors must allow provide employees with at least 22 days off per year for sick leave, vacation, or personal necessity: 12 of these days off must be compensated at the same wage as for a normal working day.

Vendors paid over 25k per contract must comply with the Equal Benefits Ordinance

Vendors paid more than $25,000 per contract must comply with the Equal Benefits Ordinance. Complete and submit a Certification of Compliance with the Equal Benefits Ordinance.

To comply with the ordinance, vendors who provide benefits to spouses of their employees must provide identical benefits to domestic partners of their employees.

Local vendors receive bidding preference

The City of Berkeley extends a 5% preference on bids to local business enterprises for supplies, equipment and nonprofessional services from $100 to $25,000. For example, a local business bidding $1,000 for a pencil contract to the City would be evaluated as if it had bid $950. If the bid is awarded to the local business, it is paid the bid price of $1,000.

To be added to the potential vendor’s list, complete a Vendor Information Application and Taxpayer ID & Certification Form W-9.