There are several questions I was asked today on bidding that NEED to be addressed one of the questions I’m most often asked about is: Once the buyer receives the bids what happens? how do I know if I won or lost, what can I do differently, can I see the bid? well, that depends on what State you are in and who you ask.
Seeing the bid is not a simple yes or no answer, there are two types of bids, what the City or State says or does is simply put as “what ever it wants” but I’m talking about the Federal side of it, for the Federal Government there is only two:
Non-Negotiated Bids (IFBs): Meaning if the solicitation is an Invitation for Bid (IFB), a non-negotiated, sealed bid situation where the best valued bidder wins. The bid is opened and the information is recorded on what is referred to as a “bid abstract.” This is important to remember because a bid abstract will be used as the bid history database.
The abstract contains, in order of opening, the names of the bidding companies, the items being bid, the prices quoted, and any other information that the bidding officer deems relevant.
This is important information that could prove to be very useful to you, whether you get the bid or not. And since the information contained in the bid abstract is considered public information, you can get it just by asking. The government buying office will send you a copy of the abstract if you enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope along with your bid. You should also include a letter stating that you are requesting the bid abstract under the Freedom of Information Act.
you can absolutely see where you stand in the bidding process. If your quote is in the upper third of the price ranking, you’re definitely outside the competitive range. If you find yourself in the middle third, you’re just about getting there but if you are in the lower third, you are in the right place.
Its like “Kentucky windage” just a little more expensive though.
Negotiated Bids (RFPs or RFQs): If a solicitation is negotiated, in other words, if it is a Request for Proposal or Request for Quote, the information on bidding companies, pricing, etc. is not public information. When the award is made, the name of the successful bidder and the contract price become public information. How it successfully got into the same hands once again is not a secret. The winner and contract price becomes public and you do get to see it.
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