Businesses looking to potentially find new customers or sales opportunities may want to consider contracting proposals available through various government websites:

The Oregon Procurement Information Network (ORPIN) orpin.oregon.gov website lists purchasing and contracting information for products and services being sought by the State of Oregon, local governments and other public entities.

While many of the listings are fairly basic and routine (such as bulk foods for various state prisons), there are listings for everything from administrative services to water and sewer treatment equipment.

Anyone may browse the site and see summary information about the contract opportunities. You can sort by product category or by the agency issuing the request for proposal. The website has an easy-to-follow menu of options and also includes clear instructions on how to navigate through the site.

To download a complete packet of information about an upcoming contract, you must register as a subscriber. Basic subscriptions are free; they allow the user to “express interest” in posted bid opportunities, receive e-mail notices of all additional information issued about a particular bid request, and download attachments.

The Subscriber or Supplier Registration link gives suppliers and contractors the opportunity to register and to maintain their corporate and product information.

The Oregon Department of Transportation advertises all highway construction projects on its procurement office’s construction web site. Visit oregon.gov/ODOT/CS/Construction.

The Oregon University System advertises all procurements for goods and services and construction services. Visit the University Procurement Gateway website at secure.ous.edu/bid/.

The Oregon University System includes the chancellor’s office and seven institutions: Eastern Oregon University (La Grande), Oregon Institute of Technology (Klamath Falls), Oregon State University (Corvallis), Portland State University (Portland), Southern Oregon University (Ashland), University of Oregon (Eugene), and Western Oregon University (Monmouth).

To view federal government agency opportunities, go to the federal government’s website at fedbizopps.gov.