PROCUREMENT SOFTWARE BUILT FOR COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES

PlanetBids procurement software platform for higher education is designed to help colleges and universities manage purchasing from initial planning through solicitation, evaluation, award, and public accountability.

Used by public sector organizations nationwide, PlanetBids replaces manual and fragmented processes with a single, centralized platform that supports compliant, transparent, well-governed procurement.

HOW WE HELP

PlanetBids brings the entire procurement process into one secure platform so colleges and universities can reduce complexity, improve oversight, and move faster without sacrificing control.

With PlanetBids, institutions can:

  • Plan and publish procurement opportunities using consistent processes.
  • Engage suppliers and collect secure digital submissions.
  • Evaluate responses collaboratively with clear documentation.
  • Award contracts with confidence and maintain audit-ready records.

HOW WE HELP

people studying together
people studying together

PlanetBids brings the entire procurement process into one secure platform so colleges and universities can reduce complexity, improve oversight, and move faster without sacrificing control.

With PlanetBids, institutions can:

  • Plan and publish procurement opportunities using consistent processes.
  • Engage suppliers and collect secure digital submissions.
  • Evaluate responses collaboratively with clear documentation.
  • Award contracts with confidence and maintain audit-ready records.

HOW WE'RE DIFFERENT

PlanetBids is built specifically for public sector and higher education procurement.

Rather than focusing on one piece of the process, PlanetBids supports procurement from requisition to contract award, helping institutions streamline while maintaining compliance, transparency, and governance at every step.

This approach gives colleges and universities a single system they can rely on, instead of stitching together disconnected tools.

HOW WE'RE DIFFERENT

Bid Spec Library - Classifications
Bid Spec Library - Classifications

PlanetBids is built specifically for public sector and higher education procurement.

Rather than focusing on one piece of the process, PlanetBids supports procurement from requisition to contract award, helping institutions streamline while maintaining compliance, transparency, and governance at every step.

This approach gives colleges and universities a single system they can rely on, instead of stitching together disconnected tools.

HOW PLANETBIDS COMPARES TO OTHER PROCUREMENT PLATFORMS

Many procurement tools only address part of the process, like posting bids or managing vendors, leaving institutions to manage the gaps between systems.

PlanetBids takes a different approach.

By supporting the complete procurement process in one platform, PlanetBids helps schools:

  • Manage requests, solicitations, submissions, evaluations, and awards together.
  • Apply consistent, policy-aligned workflows throughout the process.
  • Reduce risk caused by handoffs between tools and teams.

The result is a clearer, more connected, easily defensible procurement process from beginning to end.

HOW PLANETBIDS COMPARES TO OTHER PROCUREMENT PLATFORMS

man in front of a laptop logging to PlanetBids app
man in front of a laptop logging to PlanetBids app

Many procurement tools only address part of the process, like posting bids or managing vendors, leaving institutions to manage the gaps between systems.

PlanetBids takes a different approach.

By supporting the complete procurement process in one platform, PlanetBids helps schools:

  • Manage requests, solicitations, submissions, evaluations, and awards together.
  • Apply consistent, policy-aligned workflows throughout the process.
  • Reduce risk caused by handoffs between tools and teams.

The result is a clearer, more connected, easily defensible procurement process from beginning to end.

THE HIGHER EDUCATION PROCUREMENT PROCESS

PlanetBids supports every stage of procurement for colleges and universities. By managing the full process in one place, we help schools simplify purchasing while strengthening oversight.

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Planning & Solicitation Creation

Prepare and publish opportunities using standardized, compliant processes.

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Vendor Discovery & Outreach

Increase reach through centralized, searchable listings and notifications.

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Bid Submission

Communicate clearly and collect secure, time-stamped responses electronically.

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Evaluation & Review

Collaborate on evaluations with standardized, documented scoring.

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Award & Notice

Finalize awards with clear records and communication.

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Transparency & Records

Maintain organized, audit-ready documentation throughout the process.

How PlanetBids helps

  • Centralized Solicitation Management

    Create, publish, and manage solicitations, addenda, and bid openings in one place.

  • Process Automation

    Reduce administrative effort and shorten timelines with automated workflows.

  • Secure Digital Submissions

    Collect electronic, time-stamped responses that support fairness and consistency.

  • Scalable Processes

    Standardize workflows across departments and campuses.

How PlanetBids helps

  • Complete Audit Trails

    Capture every action from requisition and solicitation through award to support audits and public records requests.

  • Submission Controls

    Protect the integrity of the process with controlled access and time-based submissions.

  • Policy-Aligned Workflows

    Configure approvals and reviews to reflect institutional requirements.

  • Central Record Storage

    Keep all procurement documentation organized and easy to retrieve.

How PlanetBids helps

  • Process Visibility

    Track activity and status across the procurement lifecycle and organize information to support transparency and public trust.

  • Structured Evaluations

    Document standardized scoring and decision making clearly and consistently.

  • Clear Award Records

    Ensure award outcomes and supporting documentation are easy to access.

  • Public Accountability Support

    Organize information to support transparency and public trust.

How PlanetBids helps

  • Opportunity Discovery

    Centralized listings make opportunities easier to find.

  • Simplified Participation

    Free, simple registration and digital submission processes lower barriers to entry.

  • Consistent Vendor Experience

    Standardized processes create clarity for all suppliers.

  • Participation Insights

    Gain visibility into supplier engagement to support competition and diversity goals.

How PlanetBids helps

  • Shared Platform

    Manage procurement activity across the institution in one system.

  • Role-Based Access

    Ensure each participant has the right level of access.

  • Central Oversight

    Maintain governance while supporting departmental involvement.

  • Enterprise Scalability

    Support growth across campuses and organizational structures.

TOP PROBLEMS WE SOLVE

Colleges and universities often face the same challenges when managing procurement across departments, campuses, and regulatory requirements. PlanetBids is designed to address these issues directly.

Procurement Operations

Disconnected tools and manual steps make it difficult to manage procurement consistently.

Compliance & Audit Readiness

Public sector procurement requires detailed documentation and defensible processes.

Transparency & Accountability

Limited visibility can make it difficult to demonstrate fairness and accountability.

Supplier Engagement & Diversity

Suppliers disengage when opportunities are hard to find or participate in, limiting competition.

Multi-Campus & Departmental Alignment

Procurement becomes fragmented across departments and campuses.

TOP PROBLEMS WE SOLVE

Colleges and universities often face the same challenges when managing procurement across departments, campuses, and regulatory requirements. PlanetBids is designed to address these issues directly.

Disconnected tools and manual steps make it difficult to manage procurement consistently.

How PlanetBids helps

  • Centralized Solicitation Management

    Create, publish, and manage solicitations, addenda, and bid openings in one place.

  • Process Automation

    Reduce administrative effort and shorten timelines with automated workflows.

  • Secure Digital Submissions

    Collect electronic, time-stamped responses that support fairness and consistency.

  • Scalable Processes

    Standardize workflows across departments and campuses.

Public sector procurement requires detailed documentation and defensible processes.

How PlanetBids helps

  • Complete Audit Trails

    Capture every action from requisition and solicitation through award to support audits and public records requests.

  • Submission Controls

    Protect the integrity of the process with controlled access and time-based submissions.

  • Policy-Aligned Workflows

    Configure approvals and reviews to reflect institutional requirements.

  • Central Record Storage

    Keep all procurement documentation organized and easy to retrieve.

Limited visibility can make it difficult to demonstrate fairness and accountability.

How PlanetBids helps

  • Process Visibility

    Track activity and status across the procurement lifecycle and organize information to support transparency and public trust.

  • Structured Evaluations

    Document standardized scoring and decision making clearly and consistently.

  • Clear Award Records

    Ensure award outcomes and supporting documentation are easy to access.

  • Public Accountability Support

    Organize information to support transparency and public trust.

Suppliers disengage when opportunities are hard to find or participate in, limiting competition.

How PlanetBids helps

  • Opportunity Discovery

    Centralized listings make opportunities easier to find.

  • Simplified Participation

    Free, simple registration and digital submission processes lower barriers to entry.

  • Consistent Vendor Experience

    Standardized processes create clarity for all suppliers.

  • Participation Insights

    Gain visibility into supplier engagement to support competition and diversity goals.

Procurement becomes fragmented across departments and campuses.

How PlanetBids helps

  • Shared Platform

    Manage procurement activity across the institution in one system.

  • Role-Based Access

    Ensure each participant has the right level of access.

  • Central Oversight

    Maintain governance while supporting departmental involvement.

  • Enterprise Scalability

    Support growth across campuses and organizational structures.

HOW WE HELP YOUR STAFF

PlanetBids is designed to support everyone involved in procurement.

people working on a computer

Procurement Teams

  • Spend less time on manual tasks
  • Maintain audit-ready records automatically
  • Gain clear visibility into active purchases and projects
man working on a computer

Departments & Evaluators

  • Participate in evaluations securely and efficiently
  • Access clear timelines and documentation
  • Follow consistent, easy-to-understand processes
woman holding a phone

Leadership & Oversight

  • Access transparent reporting
  • Support board, grant, and public records requirements
  • Make confident, well-documented decisions

TOP QUESTIONS WE GET ASKED

Does PlanetBids support the full procurement process?

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Yes. PlanetBids supports procurement from solicitation creation and vendor outreach through submission, evaluation, and award.

Is PlanetBids designed for higher education and public-sector requirements?

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Yes. The platform is purpose-built to support public-sector governance, compliance, and transparency.

Can PlanetBids help increase vendor participation?

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Yes. Automated notifications, simple registration, and digital submissions make it easier for vendors to participate.

How does PlanetBids support audits and compliance?

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PlanetBids provides complete audit trails, centralized records, and configurable workflows aligned to policy.

Can PlanetBids support multiple campuses or departments?

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Yes. PlanetBids is designed to scale across complex institutions.

How long does implementation take?

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Most institutions can launch quickly with guided onboarding and support.

How is PlanetBids priced?

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Pricing is based on institutional size and needs. Customized quotes are available.

What results can institutions expect?

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Institutions typically see faster procurement cycles, improved compliance confidence, and reduced administrative workload.

GET STARTED

PlanetBids helps colleges and universities modernize procurement with a platform designed for public sector accountability and real world complexity.

If your institution is evaluating procurement software to improve compliance, transparency, and supplier engagement, PlanetBids provides a proven, purpose-built solution. Request a demo to see how PlanetBids supports procurement across your campuses and departments.

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