The City of Ontario, California is a thriving Inland Empire community and major logistics hub with an annual procurement budget exceeding $60 million. Contractors and suppliers use PlanetBids Ontario to access competitive bidding opportunities for construction, public works, and professional services projects.
About PlanetBids Ontario
PlanetBids Ontario is the official eProcurement portal for the City of Ontario, featuring:
- Construction and public works projects
- Infrastructure improvements
- Professional services RFPs
- Vendor registration and management
- Electronic bid submission
- Contract award tracking
Similar to neighboring Riverside County, Corona, and other agencies using PlanetBids like San Diego, Anaheim, and Fresno, Ontario requires separate vendor registration.
How to Access PlanetBids Ontario
Direct Portal Access
URL: https://www.planetbids.com/portal/portal.cfm?CompanyID=29445
Alternative Access Methods:
- Visit ontarioca.gov
- Navigate to "Government" → "Finance" → "Purchasing"
- Click "Bid Opportunities" or "Vendor Portal"
- You'll be redirected to PlanetBids Ontario
- Use existing PlanetBids login or register as new vendor
Important: Ontario PlanetBids accounts are separate from Riverside County, Corona, Kern County, and other agency portals.
Vendor Registration Process for PlanetBids Ontario
Step 1: Create Account
- Navigate to PlanetBids Ontario portal
- Click "Register as New Vendor"
- Enter business email address
- Create secure password
- Verify email address
- Begin vendor profile completion
Step 2: Business Information
Required Details:
- Legal business name
- DBA/Trade name (if applicable)
- Physical business address
- Mailing address (if different)
- Federal EIN (Tax ID)
- Business license number
- Primary contact information
- Phone, fax, email, website
Business Classifications:
- Business structure (Corp, LLC, Sole Prop, Partnership)
- Small business status
- Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)
- Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)
- Women Business Enterprise (WBE)
Step 3: Select Commodity Codes
Construction Categories:
- General building construction
- Heavy and civil engineering
- Specialty trade contractors
- Concrete and paving
- Plumbing and HVAC
- Electrical contracting
- Landscape and irrigation
Professional Services:
- Engineering (civil, structural, mechanical)
- Architectural design
- Environmental consulting
- Construction management
- Land surveying
- Geotechnical services
- IT and technology consulting
Goods and Services:
- Fleet vehicles and equipment
- Technology hardware and software
- Office supplies and furniture
- Facility maintenance supplies
- Parks and recreation equipment
Step 4: Upload Certifications
All Vendors:
- Business license (City of Ontario or California)
- General liability insurance certificate
- W-9 federal tax form
Construction Contractors:
- California Contractor's License (CSLB)
- DIR registration (for public works)
- Bonding capacity letter
- Workers' compensation insurance
- Commercial auto insurance
Professional Services:
- Professional licenses (PE, Architect, etc.)
- Professional liability (E&O) insurance
- References from previous clients
For detailed registration steps, see our PlanetBids login and vendor portal guide.
Step 5: Set Up Notifications
Enable email alerts for:
- New bid opportunities matching your profile
- Addenda and amendments
- Pre-bid meeting notices
- Award notifications
- Contract opportunities
Understanding Ontario's Procurement Thresholds
Informal Purchases ($0 - $50,000)
- Simplified quotation process
- May not be posted on PlanetBids
- 3 vendor quotes required
- Basic documentation
Formal Bidding ($50,001 - $175,000)
- Posted on PlanetBids Ontario
- Sealed bid submission
- Standard insurance requirements
- Prevailing wage (construction)
Major Projects (Over $175,000)
- Full competitive bidding
- Performance and payment bonds
- Mandatory pre-bid meetings
- Detailed specifications
- Public bid opening
- Strict compliance requirements
Types of Opportunities on PlanetBids Ontario
Transportation and Streets
Road Projects:
- Street resurfacing and reconstruction
- Pavement rehabilitation
- Traffic signal installations
- Sidewalk and curb improvements
- ADA compliance upgrades
- Street lighting improvements
Water and Sewer Infrastructure
Utility Projects:
- Water main replacement
- Sewer line rehabilitation
- Storm drain improvements
- Pump station upgrades
- Water system expansion
Airport Projects
Ontario International Airport (ONT):
- Terminal improvements
- Runway and taxiway projects
- Airfield lighting systems
- Facility construction and renovation
- Ground transportation improvements
Note: Airport projects may have additional FAA compliance requirements.
Parks and Recreation
Facility Improvements:
- Park renovations
- Playground equipment
- Athletic field improvements
- Sports complex construction
- Landscape and irrigation
- Recreation center upgrades
Building and Facilities
Municipal Buildings:
- City Hall improvements
- Police station upgrades
- Fire station construction
- Library facilities
- Senior centers
- Building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing)
Professional Services
- Civil engineering design
- Architectural services
- Environmental studies
- Construction management
- IT consulting
- Legal services (as-needed)
Key Features of PlanetBids Ontario
Electronic Bid Submission
Submit bids online through the planetbids vendor portal, eliminating physical delivery requirements.
Plan Holder Lists
View competitors who downloaded bid documents to gauge competition level.
Automated Notifications
Receive email alerts for new opportunities, addenda, and award announcements.
Document Library
Download specifications, drawings, and related documents electronically at no cost.
Award History
Research past contract awards for competitive intelligence, similar to Anaheim, San Diego, and Huntington Beach.
Tips for Winning Ontario Bids
1. Understand Local Requirements
Local Business Preference: City of Ontario may provide preferences for Ontario-based businesses with active city business licenses.
Prevailing Wage: All public works over $1,000 require:
- DIR registration
- Prevailing wage payment
- Certified payroll reporting
- Labor compliance
2. Attend Pre-Bid Meetings
Benefits:
- Site visits and condition assessment
- Direct questions to city staff
- Understanding project expectations
- Networking with subcontractors
- Clarification of technical requirements
Locations:
- City Hall (300 E. State St, Ontario)
- Project sites (for construction)
- Virtual meetings (some projects)
3. Monitor Competition
Plan Holder Analysis:
- 5-10 holders: Lower competition
- 10-20 holders: Moderate competition
- 20-30 holders: Competitive environment
- 30+ holders: Highly competitive
4. Review Specifications
Critical Sections:
- Scope of work
- Technical specifications
- Submittal requirements
- Insurance and bonding
- Prevailing wage determinations
- Project timeline
5. Submit Early
Best Practices:
- Submit 1-2 hours before deadline
- Verify all documents attached
- Check file sizes and formats
- Confirm bid bond included
- Double-check calculations
Comparing PlanetBids Ontario to Inland Empire Agencies
| City/County | Annual Budget | Platform | Guide | |------------|--------------|----------|-------| | Ontario | $60M+ | PlanetBids | This guide | | Riverside County | $300M+ | PlanetBids | Riverside guide | | Corona | $50M+ | PlanetBids | Corona guide | | San Diego | $400M+ | PlanetBids | San Diego guide | | Anaheim | $200M+ | PlanetBids | Anaheim guide |
Common Bid Categories in Ontario
High-Volume Categories:
- Street Maintenance - Annual programs
- Water and Sewer - Infrastructure upgrades
- Airport Projects - ONT improvements
- Parks and Recreation - Facility improvements
- Building Systems - HVAC, electrical, plumbing
- Professional Services - Engineering, architectural
- Technology Services - IT infrastructure
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Can't Access Portal
Solutions:
- Clear browser cache
- Use Chrome (recommended)
- Disable pop-up blockers
- Try incognito mode
- See PlanetBids login troubleshooting
Not Receiving Notifications
Solutions:
- Check spam folders
- Whitelist
@planetbids.com - Verify email in profile
- Check commodity codes
- Review notification settings
Bid Submission Failed
Solutions:
- Submit early (1-2 hours before)
- Check file sizes
- Verify all attachments
- Ensure bid bond uploaded
- Try different browser
Account Issues
Solutions:
- Use "Forgot Password" feature
- Contact City of Ontario Purchasing: (909) 395-2036
- Contact PlanetBids support: (888) 285-3675
Why Contractors Choose ConstructionBids.ai
The Multi-Portal Problem
Contractors working across Inland Empire face:
- ❌ Separate accounts for each city (Ontario, Corona, Riverside County)
- ❌ Multiple daily logins
- ❌ Risk of missing deadlines
- ❌ Hours spent searching
The Solution
ConstructionBids.ai provides:
- ✅ All PlanetBids agencies (Ontario, Corona, Riverside, San Diego, Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Fresno, Kern County)
- ✅ Other platforms (CaleProcure, BidSync)
- ✅ Federal contracts (SAM.gov)
- ✅ AI-powered matching
- ✅ Deadline tracking
- ✅ Award intelligence
Recent Major Projects on PlanetBids Ontario
2024-2025 Notable Awards:
Transportation:
- Citywide Street Resurfacing - $8.2M
- Holt Boulevard Improvements - $6.4M
- Traffic Signal Upgrades - $2.9M
Airport:
- Terminal Expansion Phase 2 - $18.5M
- Runway Rehabilitation - $12.3M
- Parking Structure - $7.6M
Facilities:
- Ontario Police HQ Renovation - $4.1M
- Fire Station 4 Replacement - $5.8M
- Senior Center Expansion - $2.3M
Parks:
- Regional Park Development - $3.2M
- Sports Complex Lighting - $1.4M
- Playground Equipment - $890K
Ontario Procurement Contact Information
City of Ontario Finance Department - Purchasing Division 300 E. State Street Ontario, CA 91764
Main Office: Phone: (909) 395-2036 Email: purchasing@ontarioca.gov
Office Hours: Monday - Thursday: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM Friday: Closed (alternate schedule)
PlanetBids Technical Support: Phone: (888) 285-3675 Email: support@planetbids.com
Additional Resources
PlanetBids Guides:
Inland Empire Guides:
Other California Agencies:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is registration free?
Yes, vendor registration and electronic documents are free.
Do I need an Ontario business license?
Yes, for most contracts you need a City of Ontario or California business license.
Can I use one account for all cities?
No, Ontario, Corona, Riverside, and other agencies require separate registration. See PlanetBids login guide.
How competitive are Ontario bids?
Competition varies by project type and size. Specialized work sees 8-15 bidders, standard work 15-30 bidders.
When are bids posted?
Highest volumes during Q2-Q3 (April-September) and beginning of fiscal year (July-August).
Next Steps
1. Register Today: Complete PlanetBids Ontario vendor registration.
2. Expand Your Market: Register for Corona, Riverside County, San Diego, Anaheim.
3. Simplify Your Workflow: ConstructionBids.ai aggregates all agencies.
