Every Singapore government tender worth more than S$6,000 is posted on GeBIZ — the government’s official e-procurement portal. But before you can bid on any of them, you need to be registered. For many SMEs, the registration process is where confusion starts: there are multiple registration types, different requirements, and steps that must happen in the right order. This guide walks you through all of it.

Two Types of GeBIZ Registration (and Which You Need)

This is where most first-time suppliers get confused. There are two separate registrations on GeBIZ, and they serve different purposes:

1. GeBIZ Trading Partner (GTP) — This is the basic account that lets you search for opportunities, download tender documents, and submit bids. You must be a registered GTP to respond to any quotation or tender on GeBIZ. Your first account is free, and approval is instant for ACRA-registered companies.

2. Government Supplier Registration (GSR) — This is an optional credential that some government agencies require for specific tenders. If a tender requires GSR, it will be stated in the tender notice. GSR assigns your company a financial grade based on your Net Tangible Asset and turnover, which determines the value of contracts you can bid for. Processing fees and timelines are listed on the official GSR registration guidelines.

Start with GTP. Every supplier needs it. Apply for GSR only when you encounter a tender that requires it — or when you want to strengthen your profile for larger contracts.

Before You Start: Get Your Corppass Ready

GeBIZ uses Corppass for authentication. Corppass is the Singapore government’s authorisation system for businesses to access online government services. If your company does not have a Corppass account yet, you need to set one up first.

Here is what you need:

• Your company’s Unique Entity Number (UEN)
• A Registered Officer (typically a company director) to nominate a Corppass Administrator
• The Corppass Administrator’s NRIC, name, email address, and Singpass login

Register at corppass.gov.sg for details on administrator limits and setup. Once your Corppass is active, you can proceed to GeBIZ registration.

Step-by-Step: Registering as a GeBIZ Trading Partner

Once your Corppass is ready, the GTP registration process is straightforward:

Step 1: Go to gebiz.gov.sg and click on “Register as GeBIZ Trading Partner.”

Step 2: Log in with Corppass. The registration path differs slightly depending on whether your company is ACRA-registered or not. Most Singapore-incorporated companies will follow the ACRA path — your company details are pulled automatically from ACRA records.

Step 3: Complete the registration form. You will need to provide your company details, contact information, and the details of your authorised representative who will use the account to submit bids.

Step 4: Submit and receive instant approval. For ACRA-registered suppliers, approval is immediate. Your first authorised representative account is free. If you need additional accounts for other team members, annual subscription fees apply — check gebiz.gov.sg for current rates.

Once registered, you can immediately start browsing opportunities, downloading tender documents, and submitting bids.

Government Supplier Registration: When and How

GSR is not required for every tender, but having it opens up more opportunities — particularly for larger contracts. Some government agencies list GSR as an evaluation criterion, so being pre-registered gives you a head start.

What GSR Evaluates

GSR assigns your company a financial grade based on two criteria:

• Net Tangible Asset (NTA) — must be positive and meet the minimum threshold set by the registration guidelines
• Annual turnover or revenue — evaluated alongside NTA to determine your grade

Financial grades range from S2 (for smaller companies) to S10 (the highest grade, for large companies). Your grade determines the maximum contract value you can bid for. Most SMEs start at the lower grades and upgrade as their business grows.

What You Need to Apply

• Your ACRA company number (UEN)
• Audited financial statements
• A functioning email address
• Processing fee (see current GSR guidelines for exact fees and processing times)

Applications are submitted through GeBIZ and registration is valid for a fixed period. Make sure to renew before it expires — an expired registration means you cannot bid on tenders that require it, and re-application takes time.

Special case for construction suppliers: If your company provides construction-related goods or services, you need to register with the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) instead of through the standard GSR process on GeBIZ.

What You Can Do Once Registered

With your GeBIZ Trading Partner account active, you have access to the full range of government procurement opportunities. According to the Ministry of Finance, all government procurements above S$6,000 must be posted on GeBIZ. Here is how the opportunities are structured:

• Quotations (Invitations to Quote) — for procurements valued between S$6,000 and S$90,000. These have a minimum opening period of seven working days.
• Tenders (Invitations to Tender) — for procurements above S$90,000. Open tenders have a minimum opening period of 14 calendar days, or 25 calendar days if the tender falls under Singapore’s international trade agreements.

Both quotations and tenders submitted through GeBIZ are legally binding offers. Make sure you are confident in your pricing and delivery commitments before submitting.

The government also publishes a listing of indicative procurement opportunities for each financial year (April to March). This annual listing covers procurements expected to exceed S$200,000 and is published in April — a useful resource for planning which tenders to pursue.

Common Registration Mistakes to Avoid

• Skipping Corppass setup — You cannot register on GeBIZ without Corppass. Set it up well before you need to bid on anything.
• Confusing GTP with GSR — GTP is required for all bidding. GSR is optional but sometimes required by specific tenders. Do not assume one covers the other.
• Letting GSR lapse — If you have GSR, track the expiry date. An expired registration means you cannot bid on tenders that require it, and re-application takes time.
• Not updating company details — Keep your contact information, bank details, and authorised representatives current on GeBIZ. Outdated information can delay award notifications and payments.
• Waiting until you find a tender to register — GTP registration is quick, but setting up Corppass and GSR takes time. Register before you need it so you are ready when the right opportunity appears.

Your GeBIZ Registration Checklist

• ☐ Confirm your ACRA registration is “live” status
• ☐ Set up Corppass at corppass.gov.sg (need UEN, director nomination, Singpass)
• ☐ Register as GeBIZ Trading Partner at gebiz.gov.sg (free, instant approval)
• ☐ Browse current opportunities to familiarise yourself with the portal
• ☐ Decide if you need Government Supplier Registration (check tender notices)
• ☐ If applying for GSR: prepare audited financial statements and processing fee
• ☐ For construction suppliers: register with BCA instead of standard GSR
• ☐ Complete all security setup steps as required by GeBIZ
• ☐ Keep company details, bank information, and contact persons up to date

Key Takeaways

• GeBIZ Trading Partner registration is free and instant — there is no reason not to register today. It is the gateway to all government procurement opportunities posted on the portal.
• Government Supplier Registration is separate and optional — but worth having if you plan to bid on larger contracts or tenders that specify it as a requirement.
• Start with Corppass — everything else depends on it. Set it up before you need it.
• Registration is just the beginning — the real work starts when you find a tender worth bidding on. Knowing how to discover relevant tenders efficiently saves you hours every week.
• New to government tenders? — our beginner’s guide covers everything from what tenders are to how to prepare your first bid