How Wisconsin counties post bids (2026)
53 of Wisconsin's 72 counties (74%) don't use an online bid platform. They post bids on their own website, in the local newspaper or in County Board agendas, where vendors who only watch bid portals can miss them.
- 72Counties
- 19 (26%)Use an online bid platform
- 53 (74%)No online bid platform
- 23 (32%)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 Wisconsin counties |
|---|---|---|
| DemandStar | 9 | 12% |
| Bid Express | 4 | 6% |
| OpenGov Procurement | 2 | 3% |
| Bonfire (Euna Procurement) | 2 | 3% |
| Public Purchase | 1 | 1% |
| QuestCDN | 1 | 1% |
Where County Board 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) | 44 | 61% |
| Not found online | 9 | 12% |
| CivicPlus Agenda Center | 9 | 12% |
| CivicClerk | 5 | 7% |
| Legistar (Granicus) | 2 | 3% |
| Other systems | 2 | 3% |
| iCompass / CivicWeb | 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.
- Adams County
- Ashland County
- Barron County
- Bayfield County
- Buffalo County
- Burnett County
- Calumet County
- Clark County
- Crawford County
- Door County
- Douglas County
- Florence County
- Forest County
- Grant County
- Green County
- Green Lake County
- Iowa County
- Iron County
- Jackson County
- Jefferson County
- Juneau County
- Kewaunee County
- La Crosse County
- Lafayette County
- Langlade County
- Lincoln County
- Manitowoc County
- Marathon County
- Marinette County
- Marquette County
- Menominee County
- Monroe County
- Oconto County
- Oneida County
- Outagamie County
- Ozaukee County
- Pepin County
- Pierce County
- Price County
- Richland County
- Rock County
- Rusk County
- Sauk County
- Sawyer County
- Shawano County
- Sheboygan County
- Taylor County
- Trempealeau County
- Vernon County
- Vilas County
- Walworth County
- Washburn County
- Waupaca County
Questions
How many Wisconsin counties use an online bid platform?
19 of 72 (26%), based on FactWise's county-by-county research.
What is the most common bid platform for Wisconsin counties?
DemandStar, used by 9 counties.
Where do Wisconsin counties without a bid platform post bids?
On the county website, in a local newspaper and in County Board 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 Wisconsin counties post bids (2026)” and link to https://www.faircounty.com/reports/wisconsin-county-bidding-2026.