Minnesota RFPs: The Ultimate Guide to Minnesota Bids
The “Land of 10,000 Lakes” offers endless opportunities to take a dive into water sports and fun. Minnesota is where the Mississippi River begins, and it has a shoreline on Lake Superior. But Minnesota is not just about the water. Did you also know that Minnesota is also home to the Mall of America, the Post-it note, and rollerblades? The state is a pop-culture shopping paradise. With thousands of grants, bids, and Minnesota RFPs released each year, state bid evaluators read even more responses from interested companies and organizations eager to do business.
The Minnesota Office of State Procurement oversees $2.1 billion in goods and services purchases annually. That means that there are a lot of opportunities to grow your business in Minnesota if you know where to look. So, if you are looking to make a move for your great business in the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” you should consider Minnesota RFPs.
Top Industries for Minnesota RFPs
Ready for some Minnesota industry tips? You are? We knew it. It’s like we can read your mind. Here are some top state industries for you to review:
- Agriculture: Minnesota is a large producer of corn, soybeans, wheat, and sugar beets. It’s also one of the largest producers of turkeys in the nation.
- What to consider: Depending on your specific agricultural services, you might need to meet certain requirements for Minnesota RFPs in agriculture. Examples include Pesticide Application Certification, Organic Certification, Livestock and Poultry Certifications, and more.
- Manufacturing: Agriculture manufacturing companies like Toro and 3M are headquartered in Minnesota. It is also home to major healthcare manufacturing companies like Medtronic and St. Jude Medical.
- What to consider: Depending on what you are manufacturing, you might need environmental permits to comply with Minnesota Occupational Health and Safety (OSHA) standards.
- Construction: All major construction projects are listed in the Minnesota Department of Administration’s Virtual Plan Room.
- What to consider: Contractors must be licensed with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI). If your industry includes construction, transportation, or infrastructure, a great place to start is MnDOT Bids and Proposals.
Learn About Minnesota State RFPs and Bids
Minnesota has plenty of resources to help guide your writing. So, are you ready to open your tackle box, cast your line, and go fishing for some massive Minnesota RFP? If yes, then we’re ready to go fishing with you. Let’s explore some invaluable Minnesota procurement and solicitation resources you can use when researching and writing your state RFP.
- Minnesota Office of State Procurement: Looking for information about Minnesota RFPs? Then, your first stop should be the official website for all state RFPs.
- Check out what local opportunities look like by visiting county and city procurement sites. Examples include the City of Minneapolis RFPs, the City of Saint Paul RFPs, the Hennepin County RFPs, and the Ramsey County RFPs websites. To find more local opportunities, search for your county or city with terms like “RFP” and “procurement.”
- Higher learning opportunities await. There are great resources like the University of Minnesota Procurement and the Minnesota State Procurement portals.
- The Minnesota State Register is a weekly publication where all major contracts for consulting, professional/technical service, or computer-related services are advertised. Most contracts valued over $50,000.00 can be found in the Minnesota State Register.
Then there are sites like our own Bid Banana. At Bid Banana, you can filter and favorite your searches for both private and public RFPs. Bid Banana is also a great way to compare and contrast similar projects within your industry. Finding Minnesota RFPs could never be easier!
Registering with the State of Minnesota
RFP respondents must register with the Statewide Integrated Financial Tools (SWIFT) website to view and bid on Minnesota RFPs. Submit any RFPS found through SWIFT via the SWIFT Vendor Portal. It is critical that your submission follows the required format and deadlines. Late submissions may be disqualified, and you don’t want to put in all that hard work for nothing! So don’t miss out on any advantages that Minnesota might offer.
The Supplier Portal in SWIFT allows vendors to manage their accounts and view announcements, bidding opportunities, informational tips, and bidding results. You will begin to receive email updates on possible RFPs once you register.
Small Business Certifications
When drafting RFPs in Minnesota, you must set yourself apart from your competition. But how? The Minnesota Office of State Procurement offers certifications to small businesses. These small businesses must be majority-owned and operated by members of historically marginalized or economically disadvantaged groups. State and government agencies can’t wait to work with these officially certified businesses. So, check to see if your business qualifies! In the State of Minnesota, small businesses can qualify for three types of certifications: a Targeted Group, Economically Disadvantaged, and Veteran-owned.
Once you qualify as a Targeted Group, Economically Disadvantaged, and Veteran-owned small business, you may receive up to a 12% preference in selling your products or services or bidding on construction projects. Additionally, the State of Minnesota may set goals that require prime contractors to subcontract a portion of their work to certified small businesses. Make sure you can meet them!
“The Land of 10,000 Lakes” is a great place to grow your business and find that perfect RFP for your business. So make your checklist on your Post-it note and write at the top of the list to start exploring RFPs in Minnesota today! What are you waiting for? Get busy!
You Don’t Have to Go It Alone
Ready to start building your response for that perfect Minnesota RFP opportunity? We can help. Read up on how to create RFP response templates in our Learning Center. Then, learn why you should hire a RFP writer. Or, if you’re looking to find the perfect RFP in the state of Minnesota, check out Bid Banana, our user-friendly RFP database. The Bid Banana Blog can help you find bids in all 50 states, including Minnesota! So reach out to schedule a free consultation with us today by calling 1-844-4BIDLAB or emailing respond@thebidlab.com.
