How Michigan counties post bids (2026)
64 of Michigan's 83 counties (77%) don't use an online bid platform. They post bids on their own website, in the local newspaper or in Board of Commissioners agendas, where vendors who only watch bid portals can miss them.
- 83Counties
- 19 (23%)Use an online bid platform
- 64 (77%)No online bid platform
- 38 (46%)List a purchasing email online
Bid platforms used
Counties that use an online platform, by platform. Some counties use more than one.
| Platform | Counties | Share of Michigan counties |
|---|---|---|
| BidNet Direct | 15 | 18% |
| QuestCDN | 2 | 2% |
| County-run bid portals | 2 | 2% |
| OpenGov Procurement | 1 | 1% |
Where Board of Commissioners agendas are published
Board agendas often show a purchase (approval to advertise, a budget amendment, an expiring contract) weeks before the bid is posted.
| Agenda system | Counties | Share |
|---|---|---|
| County website (documents) | 55 | 66% |
| CivicPlus Agenda Center | 9 | 11% |
| Not found online | 7 | 8% |
| CivicClerk | 6 | 7% |
| iCompass / CivicWeb | 3 | 4% |
| Other systems | 1 | 1% |
| Municode Meetings | 1 | 1% |
| NovusAGENDA | 1 | 1% |
Counties without an online bid platform
These counties post bids on their own website, in the newspaper or at board meetings. Each link shows where that county posts and who to contact.
- Alcona County
- Alger County
- Allegan County
- Alpena County
- Antrim County
- Arenac County
- Baraga County
- Barry County
- Benzie County
- Berrien County
- Branch County
- Cass County
- Charlevoix County
- Cheboygan County
- Chippewa County
- Clare County
- Crawford County
- Delta County
- Dickinson County
- Eaton County
- Genesee County
- Gogebic County
- Gratiot County
- Houghton County
- Huron County
- Ingham County
- Ionia County
- Iosco County
- Iron County
- Jackson County
- Kalkaska County
- Keweenaw County
- Lake County
- Lapeer County
- Lenawee County
- Livingston County
- Luce County
- Mackinac County
- Manistee County
- Marquette County
- Mecosta County
- Menominee County
- Midland County
- Missaukee County
- Monroe County
- Montcalm County
- Montmorency County
- Newaygo County
- Oceana County
- Ogemaw County
- Ontonagon County
- Osceola County
- Oscoda County
- Otsego County
- Presque Isle County
- Roscommon County
- Saginaw County
- Sanilac County
- Schoolcraft County
- Shiawassee County
- St. Joseph County
- Tuscola County
- Van Buren County
- Wexford County
Questions
How many Michigan counties use an online bid platform?
19 of 83 (23%), based on FactWise's county-by-county research.
What is the most common bid platform for Michigan counties?
BidNet Direct, used by 15 counties.
Where do Michigan counties without a bid platform post bids?
On the county website, in a local newspaper and in Board of Commissioners meeting agendas.
Method and citation
We checked each county's official website, purchasing pages, bid platforms and board agenda systems. A county counts as using a platform when its own website points vendors to it. Counts are recalculated from our database every time this page loads; county pages link to the sources.
You're welcome to quote these figures. Please cite “FactWise, How Michigan counties post bids (2026)” and link to https://www.faircounty.com/reports/michigan-county-bidding-2026.