Guides to selling to US counties

State guides with purchasing law

• How to sell to Alabama countiesAlabama counties take sealed bids on goods and services of $30,000 or more and award to the lowest responsible bidder. Public works over $100,000 follow Title 39: newspaper notice, 5% bid security capped at $10,000, a 100% performance bond and retainage capped at 5%. Alabama has no state prevailing wage law.
• How to sell to Alaska boroughsAlaska boroughs set their own bid thresholds in their borough codes, but state law adds construction rules. Public construction over $25,000 for a borough pays Alaska prevailing wages. Construction over $100,000 needs payment and performance bonds of 50% of the contract up to $1 million. Boroughs can also buy from state contracts.
• How to sell to Arizona countiesArizona counties must use sealed bids for supplies, equipment and nonprofessional services over $10,000 per transaction, or over $100,000 if the board of supervisors adopts the state small-procurement amount. Construction bids need a 10% bid guarantee and 100% performance and payment bonds. Counties may not require prevailing wages.
• How to sell to Arkansas countiesArkansas counties formally bid purchases at $42,921 or more (since Jan. 1, 2025), and contracts bind only after a county court order. Construction over $50,000 is advertised twice and needs bid security capped at 5%. Retainage is 5%, engineers and architects are picked on qualifications, and Arkansas has had no prevailing wage law since 2017.
• How to sell to California countiesCalifornia sets no statewide county bid threshold for goods and services; each county writes its own policy. Construction over $4,000 must be bid, but counties under the UPCCAA may use informal bids up to $220,000 and formal bids above that (since Jan. 1, 2025). Prevailing wage applies to public works over $1,000, and retention is capped at 5%.
• How to sell to Colorado countiesColorado sets no statewide county bid threshold for goods and services, so each county's policy sets the amounts. County public works over $50,000 need a contractor bond of at least half the contract. On construction over $150,000, counties may hold back no more than 5%. The state prevailing wage law does not apply to counties.
• How to sell to Delaware countiesDelaware's three counties follow the state's bid thresholds under a 2023 law. Goods and nonprofessional services need 3 written quotes from $50,000 and formal bids from $100,000. Public works need formal bids from $250,000. Counties can buy off state contracts, and state prevailing wage applies when state money funds a county project.
• How to sell to Florida countiesFlorida has no statewide bid threshold for county goods and services; each county sets one by ordinance. Construction over $300,000 (electrical over $75,000, both indexed) must be competitively awarded and advertised 21 to 30 days ahead. Florida has no prevailing wage law, and every county contractor must use E-Verify.
• How to sell to Georgia countiesSince July 1, 2025, Georgia's local public works bidding law applies to county projects of $250,000 or more (HB 137 raised it from $100,000). Public works are advertised for 4 weeks, and goods and services bids of $100,000 or more must be posted on the free Georgia Procurement Registry. Retainage is capped at 5%, and service contractors over $2,499.99 must file an E-Verify affidavit.
• How to sell to Hawaii countiesHawaii's four counties buy under the state Public Procurement Code, HRS chapter 103D. Small purchases run under $100,000 for goods and services and under $250,000 for construction, done electronically from $25,000. Construction over $25,000 needs 100% performance and payment bonds, prevailing wage applies over $2,000, and counties must pay within 30 days.
• How to sell to Idaho countiesIdaho counties need no bids under $100,000. From $100,000 to $250,000 they ask at least 3 vendors or licensed contractors in writing, and over $250,000 they use sealed bids with two newspaper notices. Public works of $50,000 or more need performance and payment bonds of at least 85%. Idaho has no state prevailing wage law.
• How to sell to Illinois countiesIllinois counties under 2,000,000 people must bid purchases of services, materials, equipment and supplies over $30,000 and award to the lowest responsible bidder. Prevailing wages apply to county public works of any size. Public works over $50,000 need a completion and payment bond, and approved bills must be paid within 30 days or earn 1% a month interest.
• How to sell to Indiana countiesIndiana counties seek sealed bids on public works of $300,000 or more and invite at least three quotes from $50,000. For supplies, they bid at $150,000 and get three quotes from $50,000. Bid security is required on public works over $200,000, capped at 10%. Public works contractors must use E-Verify, and Indiana has had no state prevailing wage since 2015.
• How to sell to Iowa countiesIowa counties formally bid building projects at the $206,000 threshold and take quotes from at least two contractors above $153,000 (amounts since Jan. 1, 2025). Bid security is 5% to 10%, a 100% performance bond is required, and retainage is capped at 3% since July 1, 2025. Iowa has no state prevailing wage law.
• How to sell to Kansas countiesA 2026 law raises the Kansas county construction letting threshold from $25,000 to $100,000, but a performance bond is still required over $25,000. Road work estimated over $25,000 is advertised twice in the county paper with a 5% bid surety. Retainage is generally capped at 5%, and owners pay undisputed construction invoices within 30 days.
• How to sell to Kentucky countiesKentucky counties must advertise for bids on materials, supplies, equipment and nonprofessional services over $50,000 (up from $40,000 on July 15, 2026). The fiscal court approves contracts. Counties must pay invoices within 30 working days, and Kentucky has had no prevailing wage law since 2017.
• How to sell to Louisiana parishesLouisiana parishes follow the state Public Bid Law. Public works over the contract limit, $260,000 since Feb. 1, 2026, are advertised for three weeks and awarded to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder. Materials and supplies over $60,000 are advertised, and purchases from $30,000 to under $60,000 need three quotes.
• How to sell to Maine countiesMaine county commissioners must competitively bid purchases over $2,500 and county building work of $2,500 or more, though procurements of $10,000 or less may be taken by oral bid. Construction over $125,000 needs 100% performance and payment bonds. Public construction invoices are due in 20 days, and retainage within 30 days of final acceptance.
• How to sell to Maryland countiesMaryland counties set most purchasing rules in their own charters, codes or public local laws. In commission counties, state law requires competitive bidding for service and supply contracts over $15,000 and a bond on every contract. Since June 1, 2023, counties must follow the state 30-day payment policy for goods and services.
• How to sell to Massachusetts countiesOnly six Massachusetts counties still have a county government. They buy under M.G.L. chapter 30B: under $10,000 by sound business practices, $10,000 to $50,000 by three written quotes, and over $50,000 by sealed bids or proposals. Building work over $150,000 follows chapter 149, with 5% bid deposits and 100% bonds. Prevailing wage applies to public construction at any dollar amount.
• How to sell to Michigan countiesMichigan has no statewide county bid threshold; each county board sets its own purchasing policy. State law requires performance and payment bonds of at least 25% on county construction over $50,000, caps retainage at 10% until a job is 50% done, and makes county road commissions bid road projects over $100,000.
• How to sell to Minnesota countiesMinnesota counties use sealed bids with public notice on contracts estimated over $175,000, and may negotiate with two or more quotes from $25,000 to $175,000. Notices run two weeks in a qualified legal newspaper (three for road, bridge and building work). Counties must pay within 35 days or owe 1.5% per month interest.
• How to sell to Mississippi countiesMississippi counties buy under Miss. Code 31-7-13. Purchases over $5,000 up to $75,000 need two written bids, and purchases over $75,000 are advertised once a week for two weeks (the threshold rose from $50,000 on July 1, 2024). Awards go to the lowest and best bidder, and construction needs performance and payment bonds of at least the contract amount.
• How to sell to Missouri countiesMissouri counties must advertise contracts and purchases of $12,000 or more and award to the lowest and best bidder. Buys of $12,000 or less from one vendor in 90 days need no bids. Public works over $50,000 need a contractor bond, prevailing wage applies over $75,000, and retainage is capped at 5%.
• How to sell to Montana countiesMontana counties must advertise and bid contracts over $80,000 for equipment, supplies and construction, and award to the lowest responsible bidder. Every bid needs bid security, and contractors furnish performance and payment bonds. State prevailing wage applies to county public works over $25,000, and retainage is capped at 5%.
• How to sell to Nebraska countiesNebraska counties buy under the County Purchasing Act. Since Jan. 1, 2025, purchases of $70,000 or more need sealed bids advertised two weeks, $15,000 to $70,000 need three informal bids when practicable, and smaller ones are open market. The amounts rise in 2029 and 2034. Counties pay construction contractors within 30 days, and every public contract requires E-Verify.
• How to sell to Nevada countiesNevada counties buy goods and services under NRS chapter 332: $50,000 to $100,000 needs responses from two or more vendors, and over $100,000 is advertised at least 7 days and awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Public works over $100,000 are advertised, need 50% performance and payment bonds and pay prevailing wage. Retainage is 5% until the job is half done.
• How to sell to New Hampshire countiesNew Hampshire counties must competitively bid equipment and materials over $10,000, counting split deliveries together, unless commissioners waive it by unanimous recorded vote. The threshold rose from $5,000 in 2023. Public works of $125,000 or more need a 100% payment bond. Building work over $25,000 needs county convention approval. There is no state prevailing wage law.
• How to sell to New Jersey countiesNew Jersey counties buy under the Local Public Contracts Law. Since July 1, 2025, a county with a qualified purchasing agent may set its bid threshold up to $53,000 ($17,500 without one), with quotes needed above $7,950 or $2,625. Bids are advertised at least 10 days ahead and awarded to the lowest responsible bidder. Retainage is 2%, and prevailing wage applies to county public works over $2,000.
• How to sell to New Mexico countiesNew Mexico counties buy under the state Procurement Code. Up to $20,000 can be a direct purchase order, up to $60,000 a small purchase, and larger buys use sealed bids or proposals, with bid notices at least 10 days ahead. Construction over $25,000 needs 100% bonds, prevailing wage applies over $60,000, and resident businesses get an 8% bid preference.
• How to sell to New York countiesNew York counties must use sealed bids for purchase contracts over $20,000 and public works over $35,000, advertised at least 5 days before opening and awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, or best value for purchases if a local law allows. Prevailing wage applies to all county public works, and retainage is capped at 5% when full bonds are required.
• How to sell to North Carolina countiesNorth Carolina counties take informal bids from $30,000 and formally bid goods of $90,000 or more and construction of $500,000 or more, with notice at least 7 full days before opening. Construction bids need a 5% deposit, retainage is capped at 5% (none under $150,000), and North Carolina has no state prevailing wage law.
• How to sell to North Dakota countiesNorth Dakota counties must bid public improvements over $250,000, county highway contracts over $200,000 and road machinery over $100,000. Most other goods and services have no state bid threshold. Public improvement bids need a 5% bid bond, and counties must pay invoices within 45 days. North Dakota has no state prevailing wage law.
• How to sell to Ohio countiesOhio counties competitively bid purchases, leases and construction above the R.C. 9.17 amount: $75,000 through 2024, rising 3% a year after that. Notice runs once a week for 2 weeks in a newspaper, on the state notice website or on the county website and social media. Awards go to the lowest and best bidder, and construction bids need a full-amount bond or a 10% check.
• How to sell to Oklahoma countiesOklahoma counties must bid purchases over $25,000, with notice at least 10 days before the board of county commissioners opens bids, and award to the lowest and best bid. Public construction over $100,000 is advertised 21 days ahead and needs a 5% bid guarantee and 100% bonds. Retainage is up to 5% of each payment.
• How to sell to Oregon countiesOregon counties follow the state Public Contracting Code. Goods and services up to $25,000 can be bought directly, from $25,000 to $250,000 with at least three quotes, and above that by formal bids or proposals. Public improvements over $100,000 are formally bid, with bid security up to 10% and 100% bonds. Prevailing wage applies to public works over $50,000.
• How to sell to Pennsylvania countiesPennsylvania counties advertise for sealed bids on contracts over $24,500 in 2026 and get at least three written or phone quotes over $13,200. Both amounts change each January 1. Awards go to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder within 30 days of opening. Public work over $25,000 pays prevailing wages, and construction contracts over $5,000 need 100% bonds.
• How to sell to South Carolina countiesSouth Carolina's state procurement code doesn't set county bid thresholds; each county adopts its own procurement ordinance. State law still requires a 100% payment bond on county construction over $50,000, payment within 21 days on construction pay requests, and E-Verify on manual-labor service contracts over $15,000.
• How to sell to South Dakota countiesSouth Dakota counties must advertise for bids on supplies and nonprofessional services of $50,000 or more and on public improvements of $100,000 or more. Notices run twice, the first at least 10 days before opening. Counties must pay within 45 days, and South Dakota has no state prevailing wage law.
• How to sell to Tennessee countiesTennessee counties use several purchasing laws, but most tie formal bidding to TCA 12-3-1212: sealed bids over up to $50,000 with centralized purchasing and a full-time agent, or up to $25,000 otherwise. Three written quotes are sought from 40% of that amount. Public works over $100,000 need a bond of at least 25%, and retainage is capped at 5%.
• How to sell to Texas countiesSince Sept. 1, 2025, Texas counties must use competitive bids, proposals or another authorized method for purchases and construction over $100,000 (SB 1173 raised it from $50,000). Bids are advertised in a newspaper once a week for 2 weeks. Prevailing wage applies to all county public works, and payment is overdue on day 31 (day 46 if the court meets monthly).
• How to sell to Utah countiesUtah counties follow the Utah Procurement Code but set their own goods and services thresholds by ordinance or policy. Building improvements and public works above an inflation-adjusted bid limit (based on $40,000 and $125,000 in 2003) are bid with 5% bid security and 100% payment and performance bonds. Utah has no state prevailing wage law, and retainage is capped at 5%.
• How to sell to Virginia countiesVirginia counties buy under the Virginia Public Procurement Act. Written small purchase procedures can cover goods and services up to $200,000; above that, bids are posted at least 10 days ahead and go to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Construction over $500,000 needs a bid bond of up to 5% and 100% bonds, and counties pay within 45 days.
• How to sell to Washington countiesWashington counties use formal sealed bids for materials, equipment and supplies over $50,000, with notice in the official county newspaper at least 13 days ahead and award to the lowest responsible bidder. Public works up to $350,000 can go through a small works roster, rising to $530,000 on Jan. 1, 2027. Bids need a 5% deposit, and counties pay invoices within 30 days.
• How to sell to West Virginia countiesWest Virginia county commissions may buy commodities and printing of $15,000 or less on the open market and must bid anything larger, except in emergencies. Construction over $50,000 must be bid with a bid bond and goes to the lowest qualified responsible bidder. State prevailing wage was repealed in 2016. Architect and engineer jobs of $250,000 or more use qualifications-based selection.
• How to sell to Wisconsin countiesWisconsin counties must let public work contracts over $50,000 to the lowest responsible bidder and publish a class 1 notice for contracts of $10,000 to $50,000, under 2025 Wisconsin Act 188 (effective April 5, 2026). Local preferences are barred, retainage is capped at 5%, and Wisconsin has no prevailing wage law.
• How to sell to Wyoming countiesWyoming counties set most purchasing thresholds in their own policies, but state law requires bids on county road and bridge work over $75,000 and a 100% bond on public works over $150,000. A certified Wyoming resident wins if within 5% of the low nonresident bid. The state prevailing wage act defines public body as the state, not counties.

Every state

Where each state's counties post bids and agendas. We're adding cited purchasing law state by state.

• Alabama
• Alaska boroughs
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana parishes
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming