City of Chicago bids, RFPs and contracts
Chicago, IllinoisPop. 2,731,585 · chicago.gov- Latest pre-RFP
- Oct 26, 2026
- 6 days ago
- Pre-RFPs
- 225
- 20+ in the last 30 days
- Open bids
- 9+
- Next due Nov 6
- Contracts
- 4,587
- 1,679 vendors
The 30-second brief
225 pre-RFPs (projects, hiring and grants) found in City of Chicago's meetings, most in public safety and transportation. The latest, from Oct 26: The committee scheduled a budget hearing for the Department of Fleet and Facility Management on October 27, 2026. The agenda gives no project detail, but the hearing is an FY2027 signal for fleet replacement, facilities maintenance, and related capital needs. This is an early planning point before any later bid or contract action.
Capital Projects leads its tracked contracts and projects, followed by Public Services and Public Works.
9+ open RFPs, the next due Nov 6. Latest awards: Ernst & Young for chicago Committee to Hear FY2026 Updates from Ernst & Young (Oct 2026) and Increase the Peace for increase the Peace Recommended for Meeting Support (Oct 2026).
20+ new pre-RFPs at City of Chicago this month. Get the ones that fit you, free.
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Pre-RFP projects
Projects, hiring and grants found in City of Chicago's meetings, before they turn into RFPs.
Open bids and RFPs
Solicitations City of Chicago is accepting responses to now.
Vendors and contracts
Who City of Chicago buys from, taken from council records. 4,587 contracts with 1,679 vendors.
Who decides
Procurement leads, department heads and budget holders at City of Chicago.
Questions about City of Chicago
How do I become an approved vendor for City of Chicago?
City of Chicago currently works with 1,679 vendors across contract types including PROFESSIONAL_SERVICES, CONSULTING, and OTHER. Start by reviewing their procurement guidelines and vendor registration requirements. There are 86 known contacts at this agency to help you find the right point of entry. Getting in early — before opportunities go to formal bid — gives you a significant edge.
How do I win a contract with City of Chicago?
Small purchases under IL's simplified acquisition threshold can be awarded directly — no formal bidding required. Recent meeting discussions at City of Chicago include Chicago Bid Opportunities: Forensics, Construction, Services and More, O'Hare Airport West Taxiways Development: Bid Analysis and Opportunities, and Ethics Board Meeting: Ordinance Changes, Enforcement Actions, Training Update, suggesting active spending in these areas. The key is timing: reach the right department head while they're still scoping the project, not after the RFP is already live. Monitoring what agencies are discussing and spending on helps you start conversations before the competition.
Where does City of Chicago publish RFPs?
City of Chicago publishes formal RFPs on its official website and IL's state procurement portal. We're currently tracking 418 solicitations from City of Chicago. The most active RFP sectors are Capital Projects, Public Services, Public Works. Aggregating all sources into one place ensures you never miss an opportunity.
Who makes purchasing decisions at City of Chicago?
At City of Chicago, purchasing decisions are overseen by the city manager or mayor's office, with department heads across Public Works, IT, Finance, and Public Safety. Knowing who controls budget and who influences vendor selection is the difference between a warm introduction and a cold call. Verified contact details are available for 86 decision-makers at City of Chicago.
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What does City of Chicago spend the most on?
Based on 6,789 tracked contracts, City of Chicago spends most on Capital Projects (5,228), Public Services (484), Public Works (432), Grants (403), and Transportation (242). Contract types include PROFESSIONAL_SERVICES, CONSULTING, and OTHER. A complete spending breakdown — by category, vendor, contract value, and renewal date — helps you target the highest-value opportunities.
Who are City of Chicago's current vendors?
City of Chicago currently works with vendors including ERNST & YOUNG, INCREASE THE PEACE, NEW LIFE CENTERS, INSTITUTE FOR NONVIOLENCE CHICAGO, NORTH LAWNDALE CATALYST INITIATIVE NFP, HUDSON MICHIGAN AVENUE OWNER LLC, BTH DEVELOPMENT NFP, CHICAGO BOARD OF EDUCATION, and HARVEST HOMES APARTMENTS LLC. These vendors span contract types like PROFESSIONAL_SERVICES, CONSULTING, and OTHER. Understanding who the incumbents are — what they were awarded and when contracts are up for renewal — helps you position competitively.
What projects is City of Chicago working on?
Based on 6 tracked meetings, City of Chicago is actively discussing: Chicago Bid Opportunities: Forensics, Construction, Services and More, O'Hare Airport West Taxiways Development: Bid Analysis and Opportunities, Ethics Board Meeting: Ordinance Changes, Enforcement Actions, Training Update, Board of Ethics Meeting Summary - May 12, 2025, and Board of Ethics Meeting Summary: April 14, 2025. These meeting topics indicate active project areas where the agency is scoping requirements, allocating budget, or evaluating vendors — often 6–18 months before formal RFPs are published.
How many active solicitations does City of Chicago have?
City of Chicago currently has 418 active solicitations. These solicitations span sectors including Capital Projects (5,228), Public Services (484), and Public Works (432). New opportunities are added as they're published across the agency's website, IL's state portal, and other sources.