Vendor Tips
eVP Registration FAQs
The electronic Vendor Portal (eVP) is an online application used by vendors who are registering to do business with the State of North Carolina.
If you have any questions during the registration process, please contact the NC electronic Vendor Portal Help Desk at 888-211-7440, option 2, or vendor@nc.gov.
Vendors wishing to register to receive purchase orders, get public bidding invitations, or become a HUB/NCSBE Certified vendor for the state of North Carolina should complete the registration process through the NC electronic Vendor Portal (eVP). This registration allows companies to receive purchase orders from Entities using the NC eProcurement System.
A guide to registering for eVP can also be found on the vendor training page.
Vendors may select multiple services during the eVP registration process. Registration begins on the eVP home page. Vendors must accept the Terms of Use for each service before they become fully registered in the system.
The services are:
- NC eProcurement - Vendors who choose this registration have indicated they would like to receive purchase orders from State Entities, Local Education Authorities (K-12 Schools Systems), Community Colleges, and participating Local Governments. This registration enables Vendors to collaborate with participating entities on contract documents and collaboration requests via the Ariba Business Network. Vendors will also be able to receive and respond to Sourcing Events in NC eProcurement.
- eVP - Vendors can register to receive e-mail notifications of procurement and construction opportunities based on designated Commodity/Construction Codes. Vendors will be able to designate contacts to receive notifications, as well as Commodity and Construction Codes to indicate the type of procurement opportunities for which they would like to be notified. eVP registered Vendors can also respond electronically to designated solicitations.
- HUB Certification - Vendors must apply for certification through the electronic Vendor Portal if they wish to be certified as a Historically Underutilized Business. Certification as a HUB vendor provides greater exposure for business opportunities in state procurement and contracting. More information on HUB certification can be found on the Historically Underutilized Businesses page.
- NCSBE Certification - Vendors must apply for certification through the electronic Vendor Portal if they wish to be certified as a Small Business Enterprise. Certification as an NCSBE Vendor provides greater exposure for business opportunities in state procurement and contracting. More information on NCSBE certification can be found on the HUB Office NCSBE page.
To be granted access to Interscope, a vendor should select "electronic Vendor Portal" on the "Registration Type" page and finish registration, ending with acceptance of the Terms of Use. After waiting one business day for their information to be imported, they may request a login for the Interscope system.
Vendors may also select the "NC eProcurement" registration as required by the buying entities that they work with.
If a vendor is unsure whether their eVP registration is completed correctly, they should contact the Help Desk for support.
In order to receive purchase orders (POs) and payments in a timely manner, it is important to keep your eVP registration information current. Be sure to regularly update account contacts, Order To and Remit To addresses, and phone numbers. You can access your account online at https://evp.nc.gov/.
There is no fee to register for eVP; however, there is a 1.75% transaction fee on applicable purchase orders issued through NC eProcurement for the sale of goods or materials. There is no transaction fee on the sale of services. Please see Billing FAQs for more information.
NC eProcurement FAQs
The Terms of Use can be accessed here:
To find out more about NC eProcurement, see the training page. For further information, contact the NC eProcurement Helpdesk at 888-211-7440, option 2, or vendor@nc.gov.
As a condition of eligibility to receive payment from State agencies, each NC eProcurement vendor is required to submit a Substitute W-9 Form to the agency with which it is doing business. By completing this form, Vendors are ensuring that the state will be able to pay the Vendor through their financial systems.
Vendors are urged to review instructions for submitting this form that are available by clicking here.
To see a list of buying entities, visit the Entities Using NC eProcurement page.
NC eProcurement provides vendors with increased access to markets without additional supplier marketing efforts, a single point of access for a statewide audience of public sector buyers, including state agencies, public schools, institutions and hospitals, local governments, community colleges and more, and increased order accuracy through receipt of electronic orders with a consistent purchase order format. Overall, NC eProcurement can help vendors realize processing, marketing, and administrative cost savings.
In a collaborative effort, North Carolina's Department of Administration, the Office of the State Controller, and the Department of Information Technology sponsored the implementation of the NC eProcurement purchasing system.
A collaboration request is an electronic request for quote that is submitted from a buyer to a supplier. This feature enables suppliers to respond to a request for quote directly through the Ariba Network, eliminating the need to maintain a separate supplier account for quote requests.
Suppliers will receive an email notification to alert them to new collaboration requests. You will need to create or log in to an existing Ariba Network account to view and respond to the request. Once an account is created, collaboration requests will be accessible through the "Collaboration Requests" tile in your Ariba Network account.
Email notifications for collaboration requests will be sent to the Order From contact specified in eVP until an Ariba Network account is created. Additional email notifications can be configured within your Ariba Network account.
Ariba Network FAQs
The Ariba Network is a web-based platform that serves as a connection point for buyers and suppliers. Suppliers can log in to the Ariba Network to view purchase orders, respond to electronic requests for quote, participate in Sourcing Events, and collaborate with buyers on contract documents.
The Ariba Network offers two types of account:
- Standard - A free account that allows for collaboration on contract documents and electronic quote requests, as well as participation in Sourcing Events.
- Enterprise - A subscription-based account that provides more advanced commerce capabilities such as ERP integration. For additional information, please visit the Ariba Network.
No. Purchase orders will be emailed to your company through the Ariba Network using the Order From email address specified on your eVP account. Your company can choose to create an Ariba Network account, either the free Standard account or Enterprise account, or continue to receive purchase orders via email.
Yes, your company will need an Ariba Network account to view and respond to collaboration requests. Both Standard (free) and Enterprise accounts allow for supplier collaboration.
As part of the contract creation and management process with participating entities, contract owners may assign tasks to your company to review contract documents and provide requested information or deliverables. Upon assignment of a task, users will receive an email notification with instructions to log in to the Ariba Network and complete the task.
HUB & NCSBE FAQs
A Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) means that fifty-one percent of the business is owned by, and the day-to-day management and daily business operations are controlled by, someone who is one of the following:
- Black
- Hispanic
- Asian-American
- American Indian
- Female
- Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Person
- Disabled
Certification as a HUB vendor provides greater exposure for business opportunities in state procurement and contracting. The names of HUB firms are listed in the Vendor Link and electronic Vendor Portal which are both widely used by state agencies, universities, community colleges, local schools, local governments, and institutions.
NCSBE Program Eligibility: Any small business meeting the Program standards outlined below is eligible to participate in the NCSBE Program. The standards are as follows:
- The business must be headquartered in North Carolina.
- The business’ annual income does not exceed $1,500,000, after cost of Goods Sold is deducted.
- The business must have less than 100 employees.
- The business must be organized for profit.
To request HUB and/or NCSBE certification, you must complete a three step process:
- Choose HUB and/or NCSBE as registration type when registering for an electronic Vendor Portal (eVP) account.
- Navigate to Certifications and start HUB / NCSBE certification application, fill out all required information, and accept HUB / NCSBE Terms of Use.
- Upload supporting HUB / NCSBE Certification documents.
Upon receipt of the required documentation in the HUB office, the office will review the application and render a decision. An email notification will be sent if additional information is needed and when the decision has been rendered. Please go to eVP to view the application and list of required documents.
As a result of Executive Order #150 and General Statutes 143-48 & 143-128.2(g)(1)(2)(3) , the Historically Underutilized Business Program was established to encourage increased participation in the State's procurement process. Effective April 20, 1999, the program was moved from the Division of Purchase and Contract to the Office of the Secretary of N.C. Department of Administration to increase the awareness and visibility of the program.
The primary objectives of the HUB Office are to:
• Increase the amount of goods and services acquired by the state from businesses owned and controlled by HUB firms.
• Encourage the purchasing officers within the state agencies, departments and universities to identify and utilize prospective HUB designated vendors and service providers.
• Educate vendors on "how to" do business with the state.
• Encourage participation of qualified HUB designated vendors by directing them to agencies that can benefit from their product or service.
• Maintain a database of designated HUB vendors for use by state purchasers, general contractors and other purchasing entities seeking qualified vendors.
• Sponsor seminars and conduct training workshops that assist HUB vendors become an active participant in state contracting opportunities.
- Assistance with online vendor registration and HUB Certification
- Assistance with updating vendor profile
- Bid searching techniques
- Marketing strategies
- One-on-one consultation
- Business development needs assessment
- Business resource and financial assistance referrals
The HUB Office does not offer grants or financial services to HUB firms. However, we have collaborative partnerships with several business resource organizations that have financial programs that we refer HUB firms for assistance. The Small Business Administration is a good resource for financial assistance and/or grants.
No. HUB/NCSBE certification does not guarantee that you will receive a contract with the State of North Carolina nor any public entity. However, HUB/NCSBE certification does provide greater exposure for your firm to the business community. It is important to develop a marketing plan and market your business to the agencies who buy what you sell.