Arizona Department of Economic Security
Your Partner for a Stronger Arizona
English Arabic French Persian Spanish Swahili Ukrainian Vietnamese

Main menu

Procurement Frequently Asked Questions

How do I sell my products or services to DES?

If you want to do business with DES or another State agency, you must register your company with the Arizona Department of Administration’s State Procurement Office (SPO). SPO maintains a web-based registration process. Register with the Arizona Procurement Portal (APP).

When you register, you will:

  • Choose commodity codes that match your business
  • Receive email notices of opportunities to bid or propose for formal State contracts based on the commodity codes you selected

The State supplier list is not a contract. It will not automatically result in business with DES.

For help, call the Arizona Procurement Portal Help Desk at (602) 542-7600.

How does DES purchase its products and services?

The State buys goods, services, and construction from businesses in different ways. The method used depends on the cost.

DES may use:

  • Requests for Quotes (RFQ)
  • Invitations for Bids (IFB)
  • Requests for Proposals (RFP)

These are posted on the Arizona Procurement Portal (APP).

Except for State contracts and other special circumstances, Arizona laws require that when practicable, State government purchases up to $100,000 shall be made from small businesses.

A small business is defined as meeting either of the following criteria:

  • Fewer than 100 employees
  • Less than $4 million in annual sales

For purchases of less than $10,000, the Chief Procurement Officer uses best judgment to select the most appropriate product and source.

For purchases estimated to cost more than $10,000, Requests for Quotes, Invitation for Bids, and Requests for Proposals are issued through the APP web portal app.az.gov.

The website lists open solicitations. When a new solicitation is posted on APP, providers who registered with the commodity codes selected for the procurement are automatically notified.

How can you help us?

Responding to Solicitations

DES requires all offers to be submitted online through APP.

You must:

  • Submit your offer before the deadline
  • Follow the instructions listed in the solicitation

It is your responsibility to submit your offer on time and in the correct way.

You may withdraw or change your offer before the deadline. Late offers will not be accepted.

Purchase or Release Orders

Make sure you have a purchase or release order before you deliver any goods or services.

Payment

Your payment might be delayed if your invoice does not match:

  • The purchase order
  • The release order
  • The referral

Other Important Tips

  • Learn about DES processes and procedures.
  • Register in APP with all relevant commodity codes. This helps you receive notices about contract opportunities.
  • Schedule a meeting with the procurement specialist for your product or service.
  • Keep your APP registration up to date. Update your email, address, and phone number as needed.
  • Let DES know about back orders, shortages, or limits in your business capacity.

How can we help you?

We are here to help you navigate the procurement process. Our team is responsible for:

  • Ensuring fair competition: We create open bidding opportunities for all vendors.
  • Explaining the rules: We guide you through DES purchasing policies and procedures.

We look forward to learning about your business and receiving your quotes and offers.

Gratuities and Conflicts of Interest

Vendors should market their goods and services to the State as they would to any commercial customer.

DES procurement staff cannot accept the following from a vendor:

  • Gifts
  • Meals
  • Trips
  • Anything of value

This rule applies even if the gift is meant as a kind gesture.

All State employees and all vendors, including their officers, employees and representatives are subject to the appropriate civil and criminal state and federal statutes related to conflict of interest, bribery, and similar offenses.

Back to Top