How to register as a SAWS vendor
SAWS has two separate doors: one for construction and consulting contracts, and one for purchasing bids. Most contractors need both.
Updated October 22, 2026
1. Contracting: construction and consulting work
SAWS's Business Center has a free Vendor Registration for its Contracting department (construction, consulting and other contract solicitations). According to SAWS's help pages, registering lets you:
- Get automatic emails when an RFQ, RFP or IFB matching your interests is posted, plus addenda and required pre-solicitation meetings.
- Download plans and specifications and see plan holder lists for construction projects.
- Register as a Small, Minority, Women or Veteran-owned Business (SMWVB) with your certification details.
What you'll need: name, phone, email (this becomes your login) and password; business name and mailing address; bonding and/or insurance capacity; SMWVB status; and your NIGP or NAICS codes. Federal ID and website are optional.
2. Purchasing: goods and service bids
SAWS's Purchasing department takes procurement bids online on a separate Ionwave bidding site (sawsbid.ionwave.net). You must register there to submit purchasing bids. The Contracting registration above does not carry over. SAWS posts a tutorial video and reference guides on its Procurement Bids page.
Contacts (from SAWS's public pages)
- Contracting questions: [email protected]
- Purchasing questions: [email protected] · Purchasing Department, 2800 US Highway 281 North, San Antonio, TX
Tips
- Use a shared company inbox as your login, so notices don't stop when someone leaves.
- Pick every code that fits. SAWS matches notices to the interests you choose.
- Check the plan holder list on projects you like. It shows the general contractors who may need subs.
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Questions
Is SAWS vendor registration free?
Yes. SAWS describes its Vendor Registration and Notification service as free.
Do I need two SAWS registrations?
If you want both kinds of work, yes. The Business Center vendor registration covers Contracting solicitations, and Purchasing bids are submitted on SAWS's separate Ionwave site, which needs its own registration.
Where do I see SAWS bids?
On SAWS's Procurement Bids page and its Business Center contract solicitations. See every San Antonio bid board.
More San Antonio bid resources
- Open San Antonio public bids this week · Where every San Antonio bid is posted
- By agency: City of San Antonio · TxDOT San Antonio District · CPS Energy · School districts · Nearby cities · Public hospitals
- By trade: Construction · Paving & concrete · HVAC, plumbing & electrical · Engineering & design RFQs
- Guides: How to bid government work · Best ways to find bids · SAWS · City (SAePS) · Bexar County · TxDOT prequalification · CPS Energy & VIA