Getting Started with Government Contracting

Photo of individuals networking with city staff and businesses at the reverse vendor fair.

The City of Aurora Procurement Division welcomes the interest and participation of all businesses seeking to provide goods and services to the city. Aurora is looking to increase the number of local businesses and MWBE’s they procure from.

Step 1: Business Registration

To ensure the safety of residents, businesses, and patrons, all businesses operating in the city must complete the general business registration form.

Benefits of Registering:

Business is added to our distribution list, keeping local businesses engaged and informed on vital information and opportunities to grow their business

This includes opportunities for both local businesses and large development projects

Boosts the visibility of your business for city procurement officials and for other businesses

Its FREE!

MWBE Business Registration and Certification

MWBEs are able to self-identify on the business registration form. Businesses can get an MWBE certification through the State of Illinois Commission on Equity & Inclusion’s Business Enterprise Program (BEP). Additionally, WBDC at Aurora and the APEX Accelerator can help with the BEP certification process.

Learn more about Business Registration and FAQs here.

Procurement team networking with business owner at Reverse Vendor Fair.

Step 2: Determine if you are Ready, Willing, and Able

Are you able to get a bid bond?

Each Bidder must submit a bid guarantee in the form of a bank draft, bid bond, cashier’s check, or certified check drawn on a solvent National or State Bank, payable to the City of Aurora. This guarantee, often a third-party insurance agreement, ensures the bidder will not withdraw their bid.

Are you able to get a payment and/or Performance Bond?

The awarded Bidder may be required to provide:

Payment Bond: A financial or contractual instrument which guarantees payment to subcontractors and suppliers. Acceptable forms include a cashier’s check, certified check, irrevocable letter of credit, surety or blanket bond, U.S. Treasury bond, or certificate of deposit.

Performance Bond: Covers a percentage of the full annual contract amount, ensuring contract completion and protecting the public entity from loss.

Additionally, the bidder must provide Public Liability Insurance and Worker’s Compensation Insurance, subject to City Approval.

Are you able to get insurance?

The Bidder must, at their expense, maintain insurance throughout the contract duration and submit Certificates of Insurance to the City within 10 days of contract execution or before work begins, whichever is earlier.

Policies must be City-approved insurers licensed in Illinois, rated A IX or higher by A.M. Best. Policies must include a 20-day cancellation notice clause, stated on the Certificate of Insurance as:

“Should any of the above-described policies be canceled before the expiration date thereof, the issuing company will endeavor to mail 10 days’ written notice to the certificate holder named to the left.”

Minimum Insurance Limits:

Workers Compensation: Statutory limits
General Liability

$1,000,000 per occurence / $2,000,000 aggregate
$500,000 Property Damage
$1,000,000 Personal Injury

Auto Liability

$1,000,000 Bodily Injury
$500,000 Property Damage

Umbrella/ Excess Liability: $1,000,000 per occurence / $2,000,000 aggregate

The City of Aurora must be listed as primary, non-contributory additional insured on General and Auto Liability policies. All premiums are to be paid by the Bidder.

Indemnification
The Bidder agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the City of Aurora, its agents, and employees from any claims, losses, or expenses (including attorney’s fees) arising from bodily injury, death, or property damage related to project performance, whether due to the Bidder’s or subcontractors’ negligence. The Bidder assumes full responsibility for any resulting damages or losses.