The City of Traverse City is seeking proposals to update its Stormwater Asset Management and Water Quality Plan. The solicitation concerns stormwater asset management and water-quality planning. Proposals are due December 11, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. EST.
Revision 2 of the plan concerns Traverse City's parking and transportation-demand-management strategy. The City's TDM study page says the revised study is intended to guide the next five years and update long-term goals. Those goals include parking fees, commuter parking options, curbside management, and last-mile mobility initiatives.
Sole Source:If sale is less than $17,000, use sole source; if over $17,000, expect five affirmative City Commission votes.
Coops:Frequently procures through BuyBoard, Sourcewell, OMNIA Partners, and NASPO ValuePoint; you can gain access through the Starbridge reseller & contract-vehicle platform — reach out to your Starbridge contact to pursue onboarding.
Agency-specific vendor registration, compliance steps, and approval routing shape the purchasing timeline.
Unlock detailed thresholds, contracting paths, payment terms, and vendor benchmarks for this buyer.
City of Traverse City uses sole source occasionally and only with strong justification (proprietary technology, essential compatibility, or unique professional service). Work with the end-user department and the City Manager’s office (acts as Purchasing Agent) to draft and document the justification. For transactions over $17,000, the justification must receive five affirmative votes from the City Commission. If a strong case cannot be made, move to cooperative purchasing.
Agency-specific vendor registration, compliance steps, and approval routing shape the purchasing timeline.
Unlock detailed thresholds, contracting paths, payment terms, and vendor benchmarks for this buyer.
You can get onboarded to the recommended cooperative paths by reaching out to your Starbridge contact through the Starbridge reseller & contract-vehicle platform.
Traverse City uses cooperative purchasing and explicitly allows it to bypass competitive bidding. Build support with the end-user department to streamline the transaction.
Agency-specific vendor registration, compliance steps, and approval routing shape the purchasing timeline.
Unlock detailed thresholds, contracting paths, payment terms, and vendor benchmarks for this buyer.
Full playbooks include agency-specific workflows, thresholds, and vendor benchmarks.
Early Buyer Signals
Board meetings and strategic plans from City of Traverse City
Historic Districts Commission for the City of Traverse City Regular Meeting
Date: Sep 24, 2026Type: Meeting mention
The Commission reviewed several requests for property modifications within historic districts. Approvals were granted for plans to replace a shed roof over a detached garage, a one-story rear addition, and the demolition of an existing garage with the construction of a new garage and dwelling. A request regarding the construction of a new detached garage at 503 West Eighth Street was tabled for a future meeting. Additionally, staff shared correspondence regarding a project at 210 East Front Street.
Complete Streets Advisory Committee for the City of Traverse City Regular Meeting
Date: Oct 21, 2026Type: Meeting mention
The committee engaged in discussions regarding the Complete Streets policy, specifically focusing on project commitments and principles. Revisions to the pedestrian-in-street sign policy were recommended, adjusting guidelines for traffic volume thresholds and seasonal installation windows. The committee also reviewed ongoing in-house projects, including bike signage improvements, sidewalk infill, and crosswalk developments. Furthermore, members examined pavement preservation and bike analysis recommendations for 2027, including specific maintenance and street striping strategies for various locations.
Traverse City Commission Regular Meeting
Key Contacts
Public-sector contacts connected to City of Traverse City.
LS
Leslie SicktermanActing Planning Director / Sustainability Coordinator
Who manages procurement and purchasing for City of Traverse City?
The City of Traverse City administers procurement through the City Manager's Office. The City Manager oversees purchasing and appoints department heads, and the City's Purchasing Agent, Kim Sheridan (ksheridan@traversecitymi.gov), administers City bids and RFPs through that office.
Where does City of Traverse City post bids and RFPs?
The City of Traverse City posts bids and RFPs on its City Bids & RFPs web page (City Manager's Office) and on BidNet Direct’s MITN Purchasing Group page at https://www.bidnetdirect.com/mitn/traversecity. Vendors should monitor these pages for current solicitations and document downloads.
How do vendors complete vendor registration with City of Traverse City?
Vendors register to access City of Traverse City solicitations through the MITN Purchasing Group on BidNet Direct (www.bidnetdirect.com/mitn). Free registration permits viewing and responding; paid subscriptions add automated alerts and advertising profiles. For assistance call BidNet Direct Vendor Support at 800-835-4603, option 2.
Native sync to Salesforce & HubSpot
Date: Oct 19, 2026Type: Meeting mention
The meeting included announcements regarding infrastructure improvements on East 8th Street, the commencement of leaf pickup, and a community open house for mobility initiatives. The commission recognized the Director of Fleet Management for participation in the Michigan Electric Fleet Network and honored the Deputy City Manager for her inclusion on a list of influential women. A new Planning Director was introduced. The council also proclaimed October as Down Syndrome Awareness Month. Discussion items on the consent calendar included the issuance of various liquor licenses, authorization for carpet replacement at a fire station, approval of the Traverse City Mural Festival, publication of lien notices for delinquent water and sewer balances, and continued participation in class action settlements regarding AFF litigation.
Extracted from official board minutes, strategic plans, and video transcripts.
Meeting signals
Know what buyers discuss before RFPs drop
Track City of Traverse City meetings, strategic plans, and budget discussions before the public bid appears.
What products and services does City of Traverse City procure?
The City of Traverse City purchases municipal goods, products, contract labor, and services for city operations under its Purchasing and Contracting Policies and Procedures. Vendors should consult the official purchasing policy and individual solicitations for specific scopes and requirements.
Does City of Traverse City use cooperative purchasing or piggyback contracts?
The City of Traverse City permits cooperative purchases: the City Manager or, by affirmative five-member vote, the City Commission may authorize purchases jointly with other governmental units or via state or federal cooperative procurement programs when the public interest is served.
What procurement requirements does City of Traverse City publish for vendors?
The City of Traverse City requires specifications to include contract terms and, when applicable, insurance and bond requirements; every contract must include a non-discrimination clause. Solicitations may include green purchasing clauses and specify disqualification grounds; vendors should review each solicitation for required forms and submission instructions.
How does City of Traverse City approve procurement contracts and awards?
The City of Traverse City sets procurement approval tiers: Department Heads approve up to $2,000; $2,001–$9,000 requires three informal quotes and City Manager approval with Treasurer and Clerk countersignature; $9,001–$17,000 requires sealed bids and City Manager approval; over $17,000 requires City Commission approval.
Where can vendors find procurement policies and standard terms for City of Traverse City?
The City of Traverse City’s Purchasing and Contracting Policies and Procedures (adopted January 18, 2022) is the official policy; it specifies dollar thresholds, sealed-bid requirements, public bid openings, advertising timelines, and awards based on overall best value to the City.
What supplier diversity or local vendor preference programs does City of Traverse City use?
The City of Traverse City’s purchasing policy includes a local-vendor preference directing the City to purchase from responsible Traverse City vendors whenever feasible within Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau counties; all contracts must include the City's non-discrimination clause.