Purchasing

Office of Purchasing

In accordance with City policy, all projects, contracts, and general purchases exceeding $3,500 annually require an encumbrance. The procurement process begins with an approved budget, which is formally adopted by City Council. Following budget adoption, individual projects and procurement activities are initiated by Department Directors and their designated buyers, ensuring alignment with the City's financial and operational goals.

Public Solicitations (e.g. bids, RFx) are administered by the Office of Purchasing. Public solicitations involve three phases as follows:
  1. Document Phase 
  2. Solicitation Phase 
  3. Contract Phase 
Solicitation Name Solicitation ID Status Awarded Entity
PEG Broadcast System Upgrade (WHBG20) IFP Open For Bidding  
Tree Work IFB 2026-08 Open For Bidding  
Milling Services IFB 2026-07 Awarded Construction Masters Services, Sinking Springs, PA
Paving (18th Street) IFB 2026-06  Awarded JVI Group, Inc, York Springs, PA 
Bridge Repair (Market Street) IFB 2026-05 Awarded Farhat Excavating, Duncannon, PA
City Government Center Elevator Restoration  IFB 2026-04 Awarded Right Elevator, Williamsport, PA
2026 Artsfest Entertainment  RFQ Awarded Steven Rudolph, Harrisburg, PA
Paving (Seneca Street) IFB 2026-03 Awarded Doug Lamb Construction, Elizabethtown, PA
Paving (15th Street) IFB 2026-02 Awarded Construction Masters Services, Sinking Springs, PA
Landscaping IFB 2026-01 Awarded Sharptopz, Inc, Harrisburg, PA
2026 Artsfest Stage, Audio, Light RFQ Awarded NJN Production, New Cumberland PA
2026 Artsfest Stage, Audio, Light RFQ Awarded Shenanigator Entertainment, Palmyra, PA
Architect Services (Bureau of Fire) RFP Awarded SGS Architects, Carlisle, PA
Window Replacement IFB 2025-17 Awarded Hershocks, Inc, Harrisburg, PA
Flooring IFB 2025-16 Awarded Harrisburg Wall & Floor, Harrisburg, PA
Broad Street Market Site Work IFB 2025-15  Awarded Shiloh Paving & Excavating, York, PA
Broad Street Market Construction IFB 2024-14 Awarded  Multiple 
Janitorial Services IFB 2025-13 Awarded M&M Odds & Ends LLC, Reading, PA
Milling Services  IFB 2025-12 Awarded Kinsley Construction Inc, York, PA
Radon Services  IFB 2025-11  Awarded Enviroquest, Inc, Harrisburg, PA
Wilson & Radnor Park Constrcuction IFB 2025-10 Awarded Shiloh Paving & Excavating, York, PA
Tree Inventory RFP 2025-08 Awarded Arborpro, Inc, Yorba Linda, CA
Walnut Street Design RFP 2025-07 Awarded Wallace Montgomery, Hunt Valley, PA
2025 Kipona Stage RFQ Awarded Sprit Sound & Light, Mechanicsburg, PA
Signal Safety  RFP 2025-08 Awarded Trans Associates Engineering, Pittsburgh, PA
2025 Drone Show RFQ Awarded Cape May Aerial Advertising, Cape May, NJ
2025 Kipona Fireworks RFQ Awarded Celebration Fireworks, Slatington, PA
2025 Kipona Stage RFQ Awarded Xtra Xtra Productions, Shiremanstown, PA
2025 Kipona Stage RFQ Awarded NJN Productions, New Cumberland, PA
2025 Kipona Entertainment  RFQ Awarded  BRP Entertainment, Hershey, PA 
Doorbell Installations  IFB 2024-14  Awarded  Lauer Construction, York, PA
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I obtain a copy of a Purchase Order, Solicitation, or Contract?
How do I obtain a copy of a bid or RFP tabulation?
Who should I contact for?
How do I add my company to the City's business directories?
How do I obtain a WMDBE Certificate for my business?
Are all B2B opportunities with the City posted?
How do I reply to a public solicitation such as IFBs, RFPs, RFLOIs?
How do I reply to an RFQ (Request for Quotes)?
How does the City do business with contractors and suppliers?
Does the city utilize cooperative contracts?
How do I offer my goods or services to the City?
How do I obtain a City of Harrisburg business/mercantile license?
How can I register as a vendor with the City of Harrisburg?
How do I apply for MWDBE certifications or status?
How do determine if MWDBE certifications will help my business?
How do I find a list of current bids and other contract opportunities with the City?
How do I download bid documents?
How do I sign up for bid notifications?
How do I download MBE, WBE, and/or other DBE contractors and suppliers?
How do I find the results of a bid or RFP?
How do I receive feedback or schedule a debrief on my bid, proposal, or quote?
How do I confirm status of invoice payments?
Does the city pay vendors by ACH?

Summary of Policy Guidelines 

Contracts and purchases valued at more than $3,500 annually or per project, a Purchase Order must be obtained prior to the purchase of goods or engagement of services. Additionally, all credit card transactions and sole source purchase requests require approval from the Business Administrator to ensure compliance with procurement policies.

Policy thresholds are as follows:
$0 – $3,500: Except for Credit Card charges, Purchases may be authorized by the Department/Bureau Director or designated department employee. The City Solicitor or vendor may require a signed contract.

$3,500-$24,499: Purchases of goods or services in this range require a City issued Purchase Order. The City Solicitor or vendor may require a signed contract.

$24,500 and above: Procurements in excess of Third Class City Code for base amounts for bids require an approved encumbrance and often a signed contract. The City Solicitor advises departments on the appropriate contracting process. Public bids are administered through the Procurement Office. Public bids and solicitations are generally solicited through PennBid.

For further details on the City’s Policy please view the Procurement Policy document.

Notice to Suppliers and Vendors

All supplies and services provided to the City with an purchase value (per annum) or project value exceeding $3,500 must be authorized by a signed contract or Purchase Order. Invoices for goods and services rendered without proper authorization may be rejected for payment. Performing work in the City of Harrisburg requires a Business Mercantile License.