SOLICITATIONS
Elevate Your Procurement Efficiency
Streamline solicitation creation, release, and management, receive digital bid submissions, and award projects.
TRUSTED BY 1000+ PROCUREMENT PROS DAILY
For local government and municipalities, utilities and public works, education, and more, PlanetBids empowers hundreds of organizations across the U.S. to save time and stay on budget with their procurement processes.
HOW IT WORKS
Built by and for procurement professionals to help you:
SIMPLE, EASY TO USE
PlanetBids is configured specifically to your agency, which means:
- It’s easier for you to get set up and started out of the gate.
- You can start posting your bids right away.
- You can start tracking individual bids by vendor participation immediately.
SIMPLE, EASY TO USE
PlanetBids is configured specifically to your agency, which means:
- It’s easier for you to get set up and started out of the gate.
- You can start posting your bids right away.
- You can start tracking individual bids by vendor participation immediately.
NEVER START FROM SCRATCH AGAIN
Easily catalog your past solicitations and access thousands of projects conducted by other PlanetBids agencies in the RFx Library.
- Reduce time spent researching and collecting information.
- Use the database of past scopes and specifications as a template for your next RFP.
- Find partners for bidding events or piggyback off cooperative contracts.
NEVER START FROM SCRATCH AGAIN
Easily catalog your past solicitations and access thousands of projects conducted by other PlanetBids agencies in the RFx Library.
- Reduce time spent researching and collecting information.
- Use the database of past scopes and specifications as a template for your next RFP.
- Find partners for bidding events or piggyback off cooperative contracts.
FASTER BID RELEASES
On average, our customers see a 50% reduction in time spent throughout the entire bid creation and solicitation process. Our streamlined bidding approach helps you:
- Speed up the creation and issuance of solicitations.
- Monitor all submissions in real time.
- Evaluate and award both formal and informal bids with multiple stakeholders involved.
FASTER BID RELEASES
On average, our customers see a 50% reduction in time spent throughout the entire bid creation and solicitation process. Our streamlined bidding approach helps you:
- Speed up the creation and issuance of solicitations.
- Monitor all submissions in real time.
- Evaluate and award both formal and informal bids with multiple stakeholders involved.
ACCURATE REPORTING
Robust ad-hoc reporting, analysis, charts, and audit trails get you the data you need quickly and reliably. Our pre-built library comes equipped with crucial reports like:
- Cost Savings
- Line Item Tabulations
- Demographics
- Classifications
- ... and more
ACCURATE REPORTING
Robust ad-hoc reporting, analysis, charts, and audit trails get you the data you need quickly and reliably. Our pre-built library comes equipped with crucial reports like:
- Cost Savings
- Line Item Tabulations
- Demographics
- Classifications
- ... and more
ZERO VALID BID PROTEST EVER AGAINST PLANETBIDS
KEY FEATURES
Access vendors across the entire network of PlanetBids agencies.
Custom email notifications
Robust ad-hoc reporting, analysis, charts, and audit trails
Timely and comprehensive bid document distribution
Online Q&A management
Sealed bids/lock box encryption
eCommerce-enabled purchase of digital or hard-copy documents
Split/lump sum award capabilities
Advanced eBidding for public works and construction (optional add-on)
Automatic addendum notification and acknowledgments
User access management and security
Secure eBidding, including line itemization, calculation with net terms, etc.
FUEL YOUR ROCKETSHIP
VENDORS
See the other half of the PlanetBids system. Manage, reach, and grow your local vendor network, or tap into the entire PlanetBids network. Here you can launch customized vendor portals to allow your local vendors to register, view and submit bids, and more.
TOP QUESTIONS WE'RE ASKED
Are agency staff restricted from the submitted bid documents until the bid due date and time?
All bids are received in a sealed, lock-box encrypted process and are not accessible until after the due date and time. The RFP cost file can remain sealed after bid closing and unlocked when appropriate by agency staff.
What solicitation types are supported? (i.e., RFP, RFQ, RFI, quote, etc.)
PlanetBids Solicitations automatically provides the following solicitation types; quote, formal bid, RFI, RFP, RFQ, and informal public works bid. Types can be redefined to the agency's needs during implementation.
Can an agency award a bid to multiple vendors?
Yes! The agency can award to multiple bidders at the overall project level or at the individual line item level.
Can the platform prevent incomplete bids?
Bidders are unable to submit an incomplete bid. PlanetBids Solicitations validates and confirms that all mandatory fields have been completed before the bidder can successfully submit. Bidders will receive an onscreen notification of missing items when attempting to submit the bid.
Can we generate a list of potential bidders based on criteria and commodity codes?
Yes! Based on bid requirements, PlanetBids will automatically generate a list of vendors to be notified. Requirements can be set to include category codes, license types, classifications, location, and more.
Can we access a catalog of previously developed RFPs?
Yes! All projects are maintained with the PlanetBids system. The agency will be able to search and view their past solicitations and use them as templates for a new solicitation. The agency will also have access to solicitations conducted by other PlanetBids clients within the RFx Library, if included in their subscription.
Can we enter manual or paper submissions?
The PlanetBids Solicitations module flags and clearly labels all electronic bids. The agency will be able to manually enter paper bids after bid closing. PlanetBids automatically labels manually entered bids to identify them during the evaluation process and for reporting purposes.
Can staff post results of bid awards?
The agency is able to post award to single or multiple vendors, enter in private and public notes regarding the award, set award display to multiple options, and send intent to/award notices through the system.
Does the platform aid users in the development of RFPs, RFQs, quotes, and bids?
PlanetBids is intuitive and user-friendly. There are tool tips throughout the bid creation process to aid department users. Additionally, PlanetBids users can access helpful articles and how-tos in the Knowledge Base at any time. Phone support is available from 5 a.m. PST to 5 p.m. PST (8 a.m. EST to 8 p.m. EST), and support tickets can be submitted at any time.
Will the platform notify matched vendors when a new soliticiation is posted?
Yes! PlanetBids Solicitations module automatically matches vendor profiles to bids and sends bid alerts when a new solicitation is posted. By default, the match is based on category code(s) but can include licenses, pre-qualification requirements, location, and more.
CASE STUDIES
REAL RESULTS, REAL SUCCESS
See how PlanetBids has made a tangible impact on companies' procurement processes. Read more about our clients' transformations.