How to bid on Texas government contracts

Last reviewed Nov 5, 2026 against the official sources listed below.

To bid on Texas government contracts, find open solicitations on the Electronic State Business Daily (ESBD) and on city, county and school district bid pages, register on the Comptroller's Centralized Master Bidders List (CMBL) for $70 a year so state agencies send you notices, then follow each solicitation's instructions to submit your bid before the deadline. CMBL registration is not required to win a state contract, but it is how state purchasers find vendors. Service-disabled veteran owners can also apply for free VetHUB (formerly HUB) certification.

Where are Texas government bids posted?

State agencies post their solicitations on the Electronic State Business Daily (ESBD). The Comptroller describes the ESBD as "an online search engine that lists state contracts over $25,000." You do not need an account to search it: the ESBD page says "Sign in is NOT required."

Some cities, counties, school districts and colleges that are Texas SmartBuy members also post on the ESBD, but many local governments post only on their own website, on a bid platform such as Bonfire or OpenGov, or in the local newspaper. Under Texas law, cities and counties must use competitive bidding or competitive proposals for most purchases over $100,000, and a city's bid notice must run in a local newspaper once a week for two weeks in a row before bids are opened.

LibertyBids collects open Texas state and local bids in one place and links each one to its official posting.

Do I have to register to bid on Texas state contracts?

No. The Comptroller's CMBL FAQ says: "A vendor is not required to be on the CMBL to do business with the State of Texas." You can answer any posted solicitation by following its instructions.

Registering still helps. For purchases over $25,000, state agencies must send notice to every active CMBL vendor registered for the matching commodity codes and highway districts. For purchases over $10,000 up to $25,000, agencies must ask at least three vendors from the CMBL. Purchases of $10,000 or less do not need competitive bids, so agencies can buy directly from a business they know.

How do I register on the Centralized Master Bidders List (CMBL)?

Before you start, have these ready (from the Comptroller's registration page):

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. The Comptroller does not accept Social Security numbers for registration.
Your business structure.
The NIGP class and item codes closest to what you sell. Texas uses NIGP codes, not NAICS codes.
The Texas highway districts (25 in all) where you can deliver or work.
If it applies to you, an active Texas franchise tax account status.

Then:

Create a user profile in the Comptroller's eSystems (choose "Create Password" on the login screen).
On the eSystems menu, choose "Apply for CMBL" and follow the prompts.
Pay the $70 annual fee online by card or electronic check (U.S. addresses only), or mail a check. Paper applications paid by check can take up to 30 working days.

Registration lasts one year and a two-year option is not available. Each business location is registered separately and pays its own $70 fee. The Comptroller emails an expiration notice 40 to 45 days before your CMBL record expires.

What are NIGP codes and why do they matter?

NIGP class and item codes describe what the state buys. CMBL bid notices go out by these codes, so pick every code that is close to a product or service you actually provide, and only the highway districts you can really serve. If you are not getting notices, the Comptroller suggests checking your codes, districts and email address first. You can look codes up in the NIGP Commodity Book on the Comptroller site.

Is there a Texas certification for small or minority-owned businesses?

The state's Historically Underutilized Business program is now called VetHUB (Veteran Heroes United in Business). Under rules effective May 12, 2026, it certifies only businesses at least 51 percent owned, managed and operated by Texas-resident service-disabled veterans with a service disability of 20 percent or more. Certifications based on race, ethnicity or sex were revoked. Certification is free. See our Texas HUB certification guide for details.

If you are not eligible for VetHUB, you can still register on the CMBL and bid. Some local governments run their own certification programs. For example, the City of Houston's Office of Business Opportunity certifies minority and women-owned businesses for city contracts. Check the purchasing page of each agency you want to work with.

What happens after I submit a bid?

Follow the solicitation exactly: the deadline, the delivery method (many agencies accept only electronic responses through a portal), required forms, and any HUB or VetHUB subcontracting plan. For state contracts expected to be worth $100,000 or more where subcontracting is probable, a bid without the required subcontracting plan is not considered responsive.

After award, state agencies grade vendor performance from A to F in the Comptroller's Vendor Performance Tracking System for purchases over $25,000. Agencies use these grades when awarding future contracts, and you can respond to a D or F grade within 30 calendar days.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to register as a Texas state vendor?

Registering on the Centralized Master Bidders List (CMBL) costs $70 a year per business location. Searching and bidding on solicitations posted on the ESBD is free.

Do I need to be on the CMBL to win a Texas state contract?

No. The Comptroller says a vendor is not required to be on the CMBL to do business with the State of Texas. The CMBL is the list state agencies use to send bid notices, so registering means more agencies will contact you.

Where do I find Texas state bids?

State agency solicitations over $25,000 are posted on the Electronic State Business Daily (ESBD) at txsmartbuy.gov/esbd. No sign-in is needed to search it. Cities, counties and school districts often post on their own websites or bid platforms instead.

Does Texas use NAICS codes?

Not for state purchasing. The Comptroller uses NIGP class and item codes, and says NAICS codes are not valid in state of Texas purchasing. Federal contracts on SAM.gov use NAICS codes.

When do Texas cities and counties have to take competitive bids?

Under Local Government Code chapters 252 and 262, cities and counties must use competitive sealed bids, competitive sealed proposals or another method allowed by law for most purchases over $100,000. Smaller purchases follow each local government's own purchasing rules.

Official sources

Rules and amounts change. Always confirm with the official source and the solicitation itself before you bid. Spotted something out of date? Email support@libertybids.com.