How do I select items for a bid?

You can select items for a bid automatically or manually. Automatic selection lets you select a large number of items. You use manual selection to quickly select a few items or to change items for an existing bid.

Automatic selection

You use automatic selection to:

  • Select items for a bid by manufacturer code, by purchasing class, or by both

  • Print a report of the selected items that you can mail or fax to the vendor

  • Download the selected items to a CSV file or a sequential file that can be electronically transmitted to the vendor

Manual selection

You use manual selection to:

  • Create a new bid that has only a few items or does not have a particular purchasing class or manufacturing code

  • Maintain new bids and bid responses

  • Maintain existing records if a vendor response has an invalid unit of measure, if you need to tie an item number to a vendor number or vice versa, or if you need to establish a new unit of measure relationship

  • Indicate that items for a bid were selected from different vendors

  • Add bid responses that were not returned in an electronic form

  • Delete vendor bid responses or entire sets of bid information