Doing Business with the City: Four Simple Steps to Register as a Supplier

The Virginia Beach SWaM Business Office is focused on the growth and development of small, women and minority-owned businesses, including service-disabled/veteran-owned businesses by providing resources and training sessions to assist suppliers/businesses in obtaining contracts.

Suppliers are valuable partners in our quest to enhance resident services and streamline business operations. Companies who would like to provide goods or services to the City of Virginia Beach are invited to register as a supplier.

Become a City Supplier

The City’s Supplier Portal is the gateway to procurement and contract opportunities, payments and purchase orders, and enables a business to receive the latest procurement updates. From here, vendors can register as a supplier, access their supplier profile, and view or respond to solicitations.

Sign up easily online! Registration involves four simple steps: 

1. Collect company information: Please be prepared to enter the following information: company name, federal employer identification number (FEIN) or social security number (SSN), and an active, valid email address that is regularly reviewed and appropriate for receiving official business correspondence. 
2. Complete supplier profile: Be sure to list accurate contact information as it will be used to send the most relevant updates. Select commodity codes under the products and services section that best describe what your business offers. Again, the information you provide will help ensure you receive details about applicable opportunities. Register as a supplier. 
3. Wait to hear from us: Once your registration form is processed, a username and a temporary link to set a password to use when logging into the supplier portal will be sent. 
4. Log in: Keep login information secure as it will be required to access the portal and related supplier services. To log in to your supplier portal account, visit the supplier services login screen, because the password reset link you received does expire. 

After completing the supplier portal registration process, information about how to respond to solicitations, upcoming opportunities and more will be provided.

• Supplier Portal "How to"

Learning Opportunities

Beyond supplier registration, the City of Virginia Beach is committed to helping businesses grow, compete and succeed. The SWaM Business Office and The HIVE, from one-on-one business mentoring and engagement sessions with experts to workshops on marketing strategies and help with business plan development.

Doing Business with the City of Virginia Beach
Multiple dates and times, virtual
FREE and open to the public

This monthly virtual series is designed to help businesses navigate working with the City of Virginia Beach. Participants can learn about City procurement programs, resolutions and ordinances that most impact small, women, and minority-owned businesses. Sessions also cover how to use the City’s Supplier Portal, find solicitations and prepare the required forms for solicitation responses. 

• Subcontracting Participation Plans and Good Faith Efforts: June 29, 10-11 a.m. | July 13, 3-4 p.m. | July 28, 9-10 a.m.
• Supplier Portal and Solicitations: June 30, 9-10 a.m. | July 17, 9-10 a.m. | July 27, 3-4 p.m.
• Procurement Programs: July 7, 9-9:30 a.m. | July 21, 3-3:30 p.m.

Mastering the Art of Pitching Your Business
July 16, 9 a.m. to noon, The HIVE, 140 Independence Blvd. 
FREE and open to the public

This hands-on workshop is designed to equip business professionals with the skills to create and deliver a winning everyday pitch. Whether you pitch your business to a retail buyer, a grant opportunity or a pitch competition, a compelling everyday pitch can be the difference between success and obscurity in the competitive business world. Reserve your spot.

Stay Connected

Join the SWaM Business Office’s contact list or subscribe to The HIVE’s monthly newsletter to receive the latest updates on upcoming workshops, resources and announcements to help support and grow your business.  

Businesses at all stages can find resources, tools and guidance at The HIVE. The SWaM Business Office and Minority Business Council are part of the ecosystem of support in Virginia Beach. 

For more information and learning opportunities, visit VirginiaBeach.gov/SWaM and YesVirginiaBeach.com/TheHIVE. 

• SWaM Business Office
• The HIVE