The city's agencies buy everything from office supplies to construction and consulting. Most opportunities are listed on PASSPort, the city's online procurement portal, where vendors register and respond to bids.

If your business is owned by women or people of color, consider certification as a Minority or Women-owned Business Enterprise. Certified firms can access dedicated opportunities and support.

Start small. Smaller purchases often follow simpler rules, and a track record on modest contracts makes larger bids more credible.

Read solicitations carefully and meet every deadline and formatting requirement. Good bids are often rejected for paperwork errors.

NYC Small Business Services offers free workshops on doing business with the city, which are a smart first step.