Frequently Asked Questions

Questions regarding all solicitations must be submitted in written communication only, via e-mail or mail, to the City of Bentonville Purchasing Office, by emailing purchasing@bentonvillear.com.

If you are interested in learning more about working with the City as a vendor, and would like to schedule a 30-minute Vendor Introduction Meeting, please email purchasing@bentonvillear.com. 

Please reference the appropriate solicitation for the specific requirements to submit your Bid/RFP/RFQ. All submissions must be delivered in a sealed envelope, clearly labeled with the submitting company's or individual's name, address and phone number and the solicitation number (IFB, RFQ or RFP number).

Submissions may be hand-delivered or mailed to the City of Bentonville Purchasing Office: 2nd Floor 1000 SW 14th Street Bentonville, AR 72712

Procurement for goods or services in excess of $42,921.00 are handled by formal bids (IFB) or requests for proposals ("RFP"). Invitation for Bids ("IFB") are awarded to the lowest, most responsible and responsive bidder meeting the City's specifications. 

Requests for Proposals are reviewed and scored according to the evaluation criteria stated in the RFP, and awarded to the company best meeting the overall needs of the City. A Service that has not been declared a professional service by state law or City ordinance may be evaluated for procurement through a Request for Proposals solicitation.

For procurement of professional services, when use of the Statement of Qualification's List is not deemed practical, a Request for Qualifications shall be issued. No pricing information is included in a Request for Qualifications. A Professional Service is defined as a service that has been declared in Arkansas State Law (§14-58-303) as such, or has been declared a professional service by a 2/3 vote from the City Council.

Potential Bidders may sign up using the City of Bentonville Purchasing Department's new bid portal, Beacon Bid City of Bentonville. City of Bentonville utilizes Beacon to share solicitations with interested bidders. To view specifications, or receive updates from City of Bentonville, please register as a planholder on Beacon by filling out the information on the form. Upon completion, you will receive an email with the link to download attachments. Please note that accurate information is required in order to receive any updates.

Beacon is free for planholders and you do not need an account with Beacon in order to receive updates.

Bid unit prices shall include all costs, including but not limited to: tax, all labor, products material, equipment, disposal fees, transportation, staging, mobilization, overhead, profit, insurance, shipping and handling and all other costs to the City of Bentonville, Arkansas to cover the finished work and/or delivered products. 

The City of Bentonville is NOT exempt from sales tax. The City of Bentonville Sales Tax is 9.5%.