Vendor Information

Transactions greater than $100,000 may require Invitation for Bid (IFB) or Request for Proposals (RFP).

Registration

• Illinois Department of Human Rights (required if you have 15 or more employees)
• State Board of Elections (required)
• Illinois Secretary of State (required)
  • To obtain a Certificate of Good Standing if you are a Corporation or a Limited Liability Company (LLC)
• Illinois Procurement Bulletin for Public Institutions of Higher Education
  • If you wish to do business with NIU and other state of Illinois universities
• Illinois Procurement Gateway (IPG)

Additional Registration Considerations

• Business Enterprise Program (BEP)
• Veterans Business Program (VBP)
• Small Business
  • Register through the Illinois Procurement Gateway (IPG)

• All bids, as well as all awards and special notices, are advertised in the Illinois Procurement Bulletin – Public Institutions of Higher Education
• This is a website available without charge to all potential bidders.
• Notices for upcoming Invitation for Bids (IFB) and Requests for Proposals (RFP) appear in the bulletin for a minimum of 15 days.
• The university provides IFB's and RFP's, available for direct downloading by vendors. The bulletin also carries notices for the other public universities in Illinois.
• Illinois Procurement Bulletin vendor award notices issued by NIU.

The Business Enterprise Program is committed to fostering an inclusive and competitive business environment that will help business enterprises increase their capacity, grow revenue and enhance credentials.

• Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion
• State of Illinois Business Enterprise Program Minorities, Women, Persons With Disability Participation and Utilization Plan
• BEP Certification Portal
  • A searchable database maintained by the State's Business Enterprise Program (BEP)
  • Vendors may apply for BEP Certification
• Veterans Business Program (VBP)
• Small Business Set-Aside Program (SBSP)
• Search the BEP and/or VBP Certification Directory
• State of Illinois Public Policy (30 ILCS 575/): Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act effective August 28, 1994.

Upcoming Events

The university is a tax-exempt institution and is not obligated to pay Illinois sales tax. The university is also exempt from sales tax in some other states. Learn more about NIU's tax exemption.