North Dakota RFPs: A Guide to Bidding Opportunities

North Dakota state solicitations run through NDBuys, and there is one rule that decides whether you ever hear about them: suppliers must be registered in NDBuys and must select the appropriate commodity codes to participate in new solicitations. NDBuys replaced the older SPO Online system — if you were a bidder there, you are a supplier here now. Below the state sit 53 counties, several hundred cities, the school districts and five federally recognized tribal nations, each buying on its own.

The RFP process can be a challenge for almost anyone. Combing through each request to make sure every metric is met and wading through bureaucratic red tape is no easy feat. But just because something is difficult doesn’t mean it isn’t worth doing! 

Figuring out how to bid in North Dakota is easier than it seems. You'll realize the process is well worth the effort once you consider the pros, cons, and everything in between.

What Should You Know Before Bidding in North Dakota?

North Dakota is the geographical center of North America. Near the town of Rugby, there is a stone obelisk that marks the spot. If you stand there, you are equidistant from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as well as the Canadian and Mexican borders. Talk about being in the middle of it all! 

There is also the famous Enchanted Highway. The highway is a 32-mile stretch of highway that has been lined with metal sculptures designed and created by a famous local artist, Gary Greff. Greff created art that makes the road a unique art gallery. It includes a giant tin family, geese flying, and deer crossing.

Also, in Jamestown, North Dakota is the “World’s Largest Buffalo Monument”. This structure stands 26 feet tall and 46 feet long. It calls back to the state’s connection with buffalo, which once roamed the planes in massive herds. 

Who Buys in North Dakota?

More buyers than the state's population suggests. North Dakota has 53 counties and several hundred incorporated cities, plus school districts, park districts, water resource districts and rural fire protection districts — the classic Great Plains pattern of many small special districts, each with its own board and its own purchasing. Add five federally recognized tribal nations procuring under their own authority, and the number of separate North Dakota entities that can issue a solicitation runs well into the hundreds.

One buyer here exists nowhere else: the Bank of North Dakota, the only state-owned bank in the United States. It procures like any other state institution — IT, facilities, professional and financial services — and most out-of-state vendors have no idea it is there. Volume overall still concentrates in the larger cities and counties, so those are the sensible place to start.

Top 10 North Dakota Cities by Population: 

1. Fargo: As the largest city in North Dakota, Fargo is a major economic and cultural hub in the state.
2. Bismarck: Serving as the state capital, Bismarck is known for its government institutions and historic landmarks.
3. Grand Forks: Home to the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks is a vibrant city with a strong educational presence.
4. Minot: Minot is a commercial and transportation center with a growing economy.
5. West Fargo: Adjacent to Fargo, West Fargo is one of the fastest-growing cities in the state.
6. Williston: Located in the heart of the Bakken Formation, Williston's economy is heavily tied to the energy industry.
7. Mandan: Mandan, along with Bismarck, forms the core of the Bismarck-Mandan Metropolitan Statistical Area.
8. Dickinson: Known for its strong sense of community, Dickinson is another city influenced by the energy sector.
9. Jamestown: Famous for the World's Largest Buffalo Monument, Jamestown offers cultural and historical attractions.
10. Devils Lake: Set beside the scenic Devils Lake, this city is known for outdoor recreational activities.

Top 10 North Dakota Counties by Population: 

1. Cass County: Home to Fargo, Cass County is the most populous county in North Dakota.
2. Burleigh County: Burleigh County includes Bismarck and serves as the state's political and administrative center.
3. Grand Forks County: Grand Forks County encompasses the city of Grand Forks and the University of North Dakota.
4. Ward County: Minot, a major city in North Dakota, is located in Ward County.
5. Williams County: Williston, a key energy hub, is situated in Williams County.
6. Morton County: Morton County neighbors Burleigh County and plays a role in the Bismarck-Mandan area.
7. Stark County: Dickinson, a growing city with ties to energy and agriculture, is part of Stark County.
8. Richland County: Located in the southeastern part of the state, Richland County includes Wahpeton.
9. Rolette County: Rolette County is known for its natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities.
10. Ramsey County: Ramsey County includes the city of Devils Lake and its picturesque lake.

These locations will have the highest density of RFP options, so it is best to start in these locations. However, you can look beyond those areas for less popular locations. 

Where Are North Dakota RFPs Published?

There are several useful sites that you can use to find the best bidding opportunities. We recommend looking over a few of the sites dedicated to the public sector tenders available in North Dakota. These can simplify the RFP search. 

Three places, and the first one is not optional:

• NDBuys, run by the State Procurement Office. The State Procurement Office sits inside the Office of Management and Budget and handles procurement for state government entities. Its system is NDBuys, where solicitations are posted and responses submitted. Registration is required: you create or use an existing North Dakota Login, get onto the Bidders List, and select the commodity codes that describe what you sell. Those codes are what the notices are matched against, so spend ten minutes on them rather than two.
• NDDOT, separately. The North Dakota Department of Transportation runs its own bid opportunities for highway construction, engineering and related services. If you are in construction, materials or surveying, this is a separate stop from NDBuys, not a subset of it.
• The universities, and the local layer. North Dakota State University posts its own purchasing opportunities, and the University of North Dakota does the same. Beneath them, the 53 counties, the cities, the school districts and the special districts all post independently. None of that is in NDBuys, which is the coverage gap every North Dakota vendor eventually runs into.

For a more focused view on places to find specific North Dakota RFPs, you can look at the websites for specific agencies and municipalities. While they don’t aggregate the data as some of the other sites, if you have specific goals or areas you are trying to work on, they can be a useful resource. 

Instead of having to search all the individual sites listed above instead sign up for Bid Banana.  We aggregate all of these sites and many more to give you a comprehensive picture of open bids in North Dakota at all levels of government. Sign up and enjoy a free 7-day trial.

How Do You Improve Your Odds in North Dakota?

Three habits separate vendors who win North Dakota work from vendors who keep bidding into it.

First and foremost: find an RFP that suits your team and be selective on what you apply to. Make sure you are able to meet the requirements that are outlined in the RFP. There will be other applicants who will have what they need, so knowing you are able to offer everything they need helps! 

Second: let the alerts do the checking. Keep your NDBuys commodity codes current, because that is the filter on every state notice you receive. Then add a Saved Search that emails new North Dakota matches each morning across the counties, cities, school districts and universities that NDBuys does not carry. If choosing keywords is the awkward part, a Match profile describes your business once and surfaces what fits it. Deadlines here are strict and short; finding a solicitation two weeks earlier is worth more than writing it two days faster.

Third: craft a strong proposal. You have to put your best foot forward when trying to snag a government contract. Emphasize your strengths, give references, and hype your team up! Don’t just tell them why your team would fulfill the requirements; tell them how your team will knock it out of the park!

And if the writing is the constraint rather than the finding, build a reusable core before the next solicitation lands: company history, past performance summaries, named staff biographies, insurance certificates and standard policies, all kept current in one place. Then your writing time goes on the parts specific to this agency and this scope, which is where evaluators actually award points.

Where Should You Start With North Dakota RFPs?

Three things, in order. Register in NDBuys and get onto the Bidders List, because unregistered suppliers cannot participate in new solicitations. Set your commodity codes deliberately. Then decide how you want to cover NDDOT, the universities, the 53 counties and the special districts, none of which are in NDBuys. Bid Banana is $49.99 a month or $479.99 a year for 1.6 million bid pages across all 50 states, updated daily, and new users get a 7-day free trial — enough time to see what North Dakota actually posts in your category.

Good bidding, and good luck!