What is the future of bidding? The reimagined bidding process will become browser-based, using bid forms directly within Bidx.com.
When will this reimagined internet bidding process be available? We are planning to be production ready in Q3 2025.
Is there a test period for web-based bid forms (an alpha/beta test period)? Yes. We’ve reached out to several agencies for testing during the Alpha test period (Q1 2025). Beta testing is scheduled for Q2 2025.
Is Project Bids going away? Not right away. AASHTOWare Project Bids™ will still be in use as we embark on this effort. However, the ultimate goal is to migrate all agencies and contractors to a completely web-based experience, which means that eventually Project Bids will no longer be used.
When will my agency begin using web-based bid forms? You can begin bidding directly within Bidx.com once your agency is ready and after meeting with our team. We can work with your agency to assist with the timeframe (ex. Last letting with Project Bids and first letting with web-based bid forms), and communication with your contractor community.
My agency allows paper bids. Can a bidder print their bid? Yes, bidders will have the option on the bid form to print the bid.
Will bid submission in Bidx.com impact how a contractor becomes a bidder? No. The digital ID creation process and the request to bid process will remain the same as they are today.
Impacts to AASHTOWare Project Preconstruction and AASHTOWare Project Bids™
If EBSX files (and amendment..001x, .002x) are no longer used, how will I upload proposal data to Bidx.com? You can create a pass2ebs.txt file and upload the file to your Bidx.com site. Bidx.com will process the letting/proposal information and populate your bid forms with the necessary data. Long term, AWP and Bidx.com will communicate with one another creating streamlined communication between the products.
Will this impact AASHTOWare Project Preconstruction™ (or Preconstruction)? Yes, eventually. There’s a goal to improve the flow of data between Bidx.com/Precon and vice versa. Eliminating the current data flow process of creating files necessary for Project Bids andBidx.com will ensure a seamless transition of data between systems.
Is there any impact on my GEN configuration file(s)? Yes. Agencies will no longer need to use a GEN configuration file to maintain the layout of bid forms. The goal is to migrate bid form layout customization to the Bid ExpressⓇ service at Bidx.com.
Why does my agency need to migrate from Project Bids to bidding directly in Bidx.com? Web-based bid forms will be the new modernized method for your bidders to submit bids.
Benefits of Using Bidx.com for Bid Submission
Agency benefits
Eliminates gen configuration file management
Enhances letting management, removing manual file transfers between systems (i.e. EBSX and amendment files)
Allows agencies licensing AASHTOWare Project Preconstruction™ to push letting advertisement data directly to Bidx.com
Removes the need to manage AASHTOWare Project Bids™ installations
Continued support for legacy files; xtabdat.dat, xdbedat.dat, JSON format, and pass2ebs.txt.
Contractor benefits
Creates a seamless bidding experience with bid completion and bid submission directly in Bidx.com
Works with all modern operating systems and browsers (Welcome Mac users!)
Eliminates the need for installed bidding software (AASHTOWare Project Bids™)
Offers an enhanced bidding workflow for contractors with upfront bidding requirements (i.e. Bidder ID and Infotech® Digital ID™)
Amendment workflow
Is there a limitation on the number of amendments that can be applied to a proposal? No, you can import/approve an unlimited number of amendments.
Is there any impact to re-uploading my pass2ebs.txt multiple times? No, there are no impacts to re-uploading your pass2ebs.txt file multiple times.
My pass2ebs.txt file includes a proposal that will initiate an amendment change along with the initial proposals for the letting. What happens when I import the pass2ebs.tx file ? The amendment will be applied to its associated proposal. The other proposals will not be impacted.
Proposals
What’s the difference between remove, reject, and withdraw?
Removing a proposal permanently deletes a proposal, and there’s no way to restore it.
Rejecting a proposal without amendments permanently deletes a proposal, and there’s no way to restore it. Rejecting a proposal with an amendment will restore the proposal to its previous state.
Withdrawing a proposal will disable the proposal (unavailable to contractors), and the agency admin can enter a reason why the proposal was withdrawn. Withdrawn proposals can be restored.
