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PlanetBids Login: Complete Access & Troubleshooting Guide 2025

Access your PlanetBids vendor account, reset passwords, troubleshoot login issues, and manage your portal settings. Step-by-step guide for contractors.

David Martinez
December 4, 2025
7 min read

PlanetBids is one of the most widely-used government procurement portals, serving hundreds of cities, counties, and special districts—particularly in California and the Western states. Accessing your vendor account is essential for receiving bid notifications and submitting proposals.

Quick Access

PlanetBids uses agency-specific login pages. Visit your target agency's vendor portal directly—there's no single centralized login for all agencies.

Example: Los Angeles County uses lacounty.planetbids.com, while City of San Diego uses sandiego.planetbids.com

How to Login to PlanetBids

1

Navigate to the Agency Portal

Go to the specific agency's PlanetBids URL (e.g., [city].planetbids.com or search "[Agency Name] PlanetBids").

2

Click "Vendor Login"

Look for the vendor/bidder login link, typically on the right side or top navigation of the portal.

3

Enter Credentials

Use your registered email address and password. Note: accounts are agency-specific—you may need separate accounts for each agency.

4

Access Dashboard

Upon successful login, you'll see your vendor dashboard with active bids, profile, and notifications.

First-Time Account Setup

New to PlanetBids? Here's how to create your vendor account:

Registration Process
  • Click "Register as Vendor" on the agency's PlanetBids homepage
  • Enter company information: business name, address, tax ID, contact details
  • Select commodity codes: choose categories matching your trade (construction, electrical, plumbing, etc.)
  • Upload required documents: contractor license, insurance certificates, W-9
  • Verify email: check inbox for confirmation link to activate account

Password Reset Process

1

Click "Forgot Password"

On the login page, find the "Forgot Password" or "Reset Password" link below the sign-in button.

2

Enter Registered Email

Use the same email address associated with your vendor account.

3

Check Email for Reset Link

Allow 5-10 minutes. Check spam/junk folders if not in inbox. Link expires after 24 hours.

4

Create New Password

Follow password requirements: typically 8+ characters with numbers and special characters.

Common Login Issues & Solutions

"Invalid Username or Password"
  • • Verify you're on the correct agency's portal (accounts are agency-specific)
  • • Check caps lock and keyboard language settings
  • • Use password reset if unsure of current password
  • • Ensure email address matches exactly what was registered
Account Locked
  • • Multiple failed attempts trigger temporary lockout (usually 30-60 minutes)
  • • Wait and try again, or contact the agency's purchasing department
  • • Some agencies require manual unlock by administrator
No Password Reset Email
  • • Check spam/junk folders
  • • Verify the email address was entered correctly
  • • Add planetbids.com to your email whitelist
  • • Contact agency purchasing if email still not received after 30 minutes
Browser Issues
  • • Clear browser cache and cookies
  • • Try a different browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge)
  • • Disable browser extensions that may block scripts
  • • Ensure JavaScript is enabled

Managing Your Account

Keep Profile Updated
  • • Update insurance certificates before expiration
  • • Refresh contractor license information annually
  • • Add new commodity codes as capabilities expand
  • • Update contact information when it changes
Notification Settings
  • • Enable email alerts for new opportunities
  • • Set up addenda notifications
  • • Configure deadline reminders
  • • Add multiple email recipients if needed

Security Best Practices

Protect Your Account
  • Use unique passwords – don't reuse passwords from other accounts
  • Update passwords regularly – change every 90 days for best security
  • Don't share credentials – create separate user accounts for team members
  • Log out when finished – especially on shared or public computers

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FAQ

Is there one central PlanetBids login for all agencies?

No. PlanetBids uses separate portals for each agency. You'll need to register individually with each city, county, or district where you want to bid. Your credentials from one agency won't work on another.

How do I find the PlanetBids URL for a specific agency?

Search for "[Agency Name] PlanetBids" or "[Agency Name] vendor registration." Most agency procurement pages link directly to their PlanetBids portal.

My account says it's inactive—what should I do?

Inactive accounts often result from expired insurance certificates or licenses. Log in, update your compliance documents, and the account should reactivate. If issues persist, contact the agency's purchasing department.

Can multiple people in my company access the same account?

Yes, most PlanetBids portals allow adding additional users under your company profile. This is better than sharing one login for security and audit purposes.

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