Virginia Government Contracts — Procurement Guide

All Virginia state agency purchases over $2,500 must be processed through eVA (eva.virginia.gov). Vendors must register on eVA to submit bids and receive payments. There is a small transaction fee (0.75%) on purchases made through eVA for vendors on the free registration tier, or a flat annual fee for the fee-based tier.

Virginia's SWaM program certifies Small, Women-Owned, and Minority businesses. State agencies have annual SWaM spending goals and must report progress. SWaM-certified businesses are visible in the state vendor database and receive priority consideration in procurement decisions. Certification is free and administered by the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity.

Virginia requires competitive sealed bids for purchases over $100,000. Competitive negotiation (RFP) is used for professional services and complex contracts. Informal competitive quotes from at least three vendors are required for purchases between $5,000 and $100,000. Virginia also has small purchase procedures for transactions under $5,000.

Virginia is the largest recipient of federal defense contracts in the country due to its proximity to the Pentagon and multiple military installations. Many Virginia state government contractors also hold federal contracts. The same firms often pursue both state and federal work, so your federal contractor network overlaps heavily with state procurement.