DOING BUSINESS WITH THE CITY OF KNOXVILLE:
The City of Knoxville understands the importance of encouraging Small, Minority-, Women-, Service-Disabled, and Veteran-Owned business participation in the procurement process. The Purchasing Division actively seeks out opportunities to cultivate relationships with local small businesses and makes a concerted effort to ensure that such companies have the information necessary to compete for City business.
Resources such as brochures,
quarterly newsletters, and the City's procurement website provide an invaluable introduction to the process of doing business with the City and help connect businesses with potential projects of interest. The Purchasing Division also takes part in a number of networking and outreach events throughout the year that enable small business owners to meet face to face with City personnel. In addition, the City's Small Business Specialist can meet with individuals in the Purchasing Office to discuss future opportunities or address any concerns or questions that might arise.
For more information on outreach events or to schedule an appointment, please contact Pamela Cotham, Supplier Outreach Manager, at 865-215-4032 or
[email protected].
2026 BUSINESS OUTREACH EXPO
On behalf of the East Tennessee
Purchasing Association’s Business Outreach Alliance, we're excited to invite you
to this premier event. Don’t miss your chance to connect directly with
purchasing officials from multiple East and Middle Tennessee government
agencies and build valuable relationships.
Register
today and position your company for new opportunities!
March
3, 2026
8:30-11:00
AM EST
Roane
State Community College
Oak Ridge Campus
701 Briarcliff Ave
Oak Ridge, TN
37830.
Click here for the registration link
for businesses
Click here for to view
the event flyer
Sign up by February 27th at 5:00 PM (EST) on the event landing page - 6th Annual ETPA Business Outreach
Expo. There is no fee to register.
ANNUAL BUSINESS BREAKFAST:
Each year the Purchasing Division hosts a free annual "Business Breakfast" and invite interested vendors to come learn more about how to do business with the City. Representatives from each of the major departments give an overview of anticipated projects and expenditures for the year.
Click here to learn more about the Annual Business Breakfast
SUPPLIER EXCELLENCE AWARDS CEREMONY:
Each year the Purchasing Division holds a Supplier Excellence Awards Ceremony to recognize small, women-owned and minority-owned businesses for outstanding performance, as well as City departments committed to reaching out to suppliers with procurement contracts.
Click here to learn more about the Supplier Excellence Awards Ceremony
SMALL BUSINESS CONNECTIONS NEWSLETTER:
The Purchasing Division produces a quarterly newsletter that features a schedule of forecasted procurement opportunities, upcoming networking events, and a list of recently awarded contracts.
Click here to view an archive of Newsletters
PURCHASING DIVISION BROCHURE:
Click
here to view the Purchasing Division's Business Brochure
CONTACT INFO:
Pamela Cotham,
Supplier Outreach Manager
865-215-4032
[email protected]
Luis Garcia,
Supplier Outreach Specialist (English/Español)
865-215-2293
[email protected]
PARTNERING WITH LATINO BUSINESSES: