How to bid on Virginia state contracts
Registering in eVA is free to join, but registration is not complete until Virginia receives your signed Substitute W-9. Here is the order to do things in, and where to look once you are in.
Step 1: Register in eVA
eVA is Virginia’s eProcurement marketplace, and it is where the Commonwealth expects suppliers to register. The state describes joining as free. You register online through the supplier portal, and a paper registration is available on request for vendors with limited internet access.
One detail catches people out: the state says registration is not considered complete unless it receives a signed Commonwealth of Virginia Substitute W-9. Register online first, then send the form, and do not assume you are in the system until it is processed.
Step 2: Find the opportunities
The state’s eVA pages point suppliers to the Virginia Business Opportunities portal, and list construction opportunities and future procurements as places to look. After registering, eVA sends email notifications for business opportunities from state agencies, colleges and universities, and many local governments.
Notifications cover what you signed up for, so choose your commodity codes carefully. Too narrow and you miss work you could win; too broad and the emails stop being read.
Step 3: Know the purchasing rules
The state’s Vendors Manual explains purchasing from the vendor’s side and separates small purchases, $100,000 and under, from large purchases over $100,000, which carry different bidding requirements. Read it before your first bid; it tells you which quote process to expect at each size.
Step 4: Consider SWaM certification
Virginia’s Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity certifies small, women-owned and minority-owned businesses, and the eVA pages encourage eligible suppliers to certify so buyers can identify them. It is optional, but many agencies have small-business goals, so it can help if you qualify.
What eVA does not cover
eVA is the state’s system. Cities, counties, school divisions and authorities may run their own portals, and federal work posts on SAM.gov. To see all of those in one place for your trade, GovBidWire lists federal opportunities plus direct state and local feeds in 30+ states, including Virginia.
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Quick answers
Is it free to register as an eVA vendor?
Virginia describes joining eVA as free to join. The state pages we read do not list any fee for registration itself; check eVA’s billing page for any charges on orders.
Why is my eVA registration not complete?
Virginia states that registration is not considered complete until it receives a signed Commonwealth of Virginia Substitute W-9 form.
Where are Virginia state bids posted?
Through eVA and the Virginia Business Opportunities portal. Registered suppliers also receive email notifications for opportunities from state agencies, colleges and universities, and many local governments.
Sources: eVA: Register Now; eVA: I Sell To Virginia. Checked September 2026. State systems change, so confirm current steps and any fees on the state site. GovBidWire is not affiliated with the State of Virginia.