Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Bid Express^® service?

The Bid Express service is an online information service for bidding provided by Infotech, Inc. The Bid Express service is available on the Internet at www.bidx.com. It is a two-way service, publishing bid-related information from agencies to the bidding community, and allowing online, secure bid submission from the bidding community to the agency. The Bid Express service also enables electronic bid bond verification, provides automatic email notification of projects, and, where available, provides online access to plan sheets and to bid tab data.

What different subscription options does the Bid Express service offer and how much do they cost?

The Bid Express service offers several subscription options on the Bid Express website. Each subscription option is available for a monthly fee. The services provided are as follows: Basic Service, Online Plan Sheets service, Analysis Suite service, and Internet Bidding service. All fees are charged monthly on a non-prorated basis. The fees are posted on the fee schedule page.

For which agencies are the Analysis Suite services available?

When you subscribe to the Analysis Suite service, you can view statistical information from all agencies that post them to the Bid Express service. The agencies, not the Bid Express service, are responsible for posting the bid tab data. Participation varies. Please call Bid Express service customer support at (888) 352-BIDX (2439) or send an email to customer.support@bidx.com to request information about the participation of a particular agency.

For which agencies are the Online Plan Sheets services available? How do I order printed Plan Sheets?

You can view the list of participating agencies during the subscription process to help you decide whether to subscribe to the Online Plan Sheets service.

For more information about Online Plan Sheets, please visit https://www.bidx.com/site/services#plansheet

To order plan sheets from the Bid Express service, you will first need a Bid Express account. Log in to the Bid Express service and follow these instructions:

1. Navigate to the agency from which you wish to obtain plan sheets.
2. Click on the Lettings tab.
3. Select the date of the letting.
4. Click on the proposal for the plans you would like.
5. In the Also Available box on the right side of the page, click on Plan Sheets.

You will now be able to select and save plan sheets as PDF files and print them, or order all plan sheets as printed pages through a third party vendor.

What is the Bid Express Advantage?

The Bid Express Advantage is a pricing service. It lets you perform an analysis of your bid and compare it to the past bids of other bidders for a specified letting, even down to the item level. With this service, you set and manipulate data such as quantity ranges, locations and dates to help determine prices.

Which agencies do NOT participate in the Bid Express Advantage program?

The Bid Express Advantage is not available at this time for the following agencies: ADOT, CALTRANS, CTDOT, NDDOT, and NSDPW.

What methods of payment are accepted by the Bid Express service?

The Bid Express services fees are paid monthly by credit card. The Bid Express service accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.

What are the features of the Basic Service?

The Basic Service allows you to view and download proposals posted to the website by all agencies for past, present, and future bids. You are also able to view the Apparent Bid Results and Bid Tabulations as soon as the agency posts them. You gain access to automatic email notification of postings by agencies. You can also use the Bid Express Small Business Network for exchanging sub-quotes between prime contractors and subcontractors.

How do I subscribe to the Bid Express service?

To subscribe to the Bid Express service, go to www.bidx.com select the Order tab, then click Subscribe Now. You will be asked to enter an email address (which will serve as your login ID) and to create a password. Accept the terms and conditions, then click Submit. This will generate an email that will be sent to the email address you provided. Open the email and click on the link provided, then enter your chosen password and continue to sign up for services. After you finish entering your credit card and contact information, your credit card will be charged and you will be automatically logged in to the Bid Express service.

How do I retrieve my username or password if they have been lost?

If you no longer have access to the email address you used to register for the Bid Express service or cannot log in using the steps below, please contact customer support by phone at (888) 352-BIDX (2439).

To receive your login information:

1. Open your web browser and go to www.bidx.com.
2. On the right side of the blue login box, click the Forgot Your Password link. You will be taken to the Password Reset page.
3. Enter your email address in the Email field and click Submit.
4. After you click Submit, an email with instructions on how to reset your password will be sent to your email address.
5. Enter your new password in the Enter A New Password field. The password must be at least eight characters long and contain at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one numeric digit and one symbol.
6. Enter your password again in the Re-type Your New Password field. Click Reset Password.
7. The Bid Express service resets your password. You can now log in to the Bid Express service with your new password.

When is customer support for the Bid Express service available?

Customer support for the Bid Express service is available from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm Eastern Time, Monday-Friday, except for legal holidays. After these business hours, support requests will be answered the next business day. You can call our customer support line at (888) 352-BIDX (2439), send an email to customer.support@bidx.com or fax a support request to (888) 971-4191.

What do I need to bid electronically via the Bid Express service?

You need these items to bid via the Bid Express service:

1. A prequalification to bid with your preferred agency. Contact the agency directly for more information.
2. A subscription to the Bid Express service.
3. A download of the AASHTOWare Project Bids™ Bid component.
4. An approved AASHTOWare Project Bids™ Bid Digital ID for an agent authorized to submit bids on behalf of your company, created using Microsoft Edge on a computer using a Windows operating system. (See Infotech Digital IDs for more information.)
5. A request to bid with your preferred agency using the Bid Express service.

What are Messages and Notifications?

Messages and Notifications are part of the Basic Service for subscribers to the Bid Express service. You can register for and use this feature to receive alerts from agencies about newly posted bid files, amendments, letting updates, proposal updates, plan sheet postings, notices to bidders and general alerts, and when proposals are withdrawn or postponed. You can sign up to receive any or all of the above types of alerts from any number of agencies.

To sign up for Messages and Notifications, log in to the Bid Express website and click on the Messages icon in the upper right corner. Click Manage Messages and Notifications. Select the agency, then select the notifications you wish to receive, and click Save. You can select additional agencies to receive notifications from.

To change the messages and notifications you receive, log in to the Bid Express website and click on the Messages icon in the upper right corner. Click Manage Messages and Notifications, select the agency you wish to update, change your subscriptions, and click Save.

How do I cancel my Bid Express account?

When you sign up for a Bid Express account, you are under no subscription contract. Your account is not pro-rated, so you may cancel anytime. Your Bid Express account can be used by your company to conduct business (Internet bidding using Digital IDs or through the Small Business Network). When you cancel your account, you will lose access to the account immediately, as well as to any additional features or Digital IDs associated with the account.

You may cancel your Bid Express account through one of two approved methods:

1. You may login to your Bid Express account and cancel your account on the My Bidx page by clicking Cancel My Bid Express Account in the Account Services section. The Bid Express service will send an email cancellation confirmation to the email address associated with the account with confirmation that your account has been canceled.
2. You may send a letter requesting the cancellation of the Bid Express account. This request must be on company letterhead, must clearly identity the account to be canceled, and must be signed by the account holder or an owner or officer of the company. The letter must be notarized. The Bid Express service will send an email cancellation confirmation to the email address associated with the canceled account once the request has been manually processed.

We do not accept cancellations via phone or emails. To ensure the security of your account, you must cancel your account through one of the two approved methods above.

Can I reactivate a canceled account?

Yes. To reactivate a canceled account, go to www.bidx.com and log in. Upon logging in, the system will prompt you to add a credit card and select your additional services. Once this step is completed, the account will be reactivated. If you previously had Digital IDs, they will not be reactivated. You will need to create and purchase new IDs for Internet bidding. If you no longer remember your login information, please contact customer support for further assistance.

Can I try out the Bid Express service before I subscribe?

Guests can view basic project data posted by agencies without logging in. If you like the service, you can sign up online and gain full access to all that the Bid Express service offers.

Is the Bid Express service reliable?

Yes. The Bid Express service has been in operation since 1997 with better than 99.95 percent uptime. The Bid Express servers are configured with multiple automatic redundancies and backups as protection against service interruption. Also, Bid Express servers and backup servers are located in multiple geographical locations, using multiple Internet providers, for even greater redundancy.

What browsers are supported by the Bid Express software?

Microsoft Edge is necessary for all site functionality along with .NET 4.6.2 Framework in order to launch click-once applications for the purposes of Digital ID creation. Google Chrome and Firefox may not be used to create Digital IDs as .NET 4 framework is not supported by those browsers.

What's the difference between the AASHTOWare Project Bid™ Bid component and the Bid Express service?

The Bid component of the AASHTOWare Project Bid™ software is used to prepare your electronic bid. The Bid Express service is used by an agency and its contracting community to communicate with each other. You download the proposal files from the Bid Express service, then use the AASHTOWare Project Bids™ Bid component to enter your bid information and submit your bid.

You can use the AASHTOWare Project Bids™ Bid component without the Bid Express service (if you do not intend to bid via the Internet) or the Bid Express service without the AASHTOWare Project Bids™ Bid component. However, most of our subscribers choose to use both. You must also have a Digital ID if you plan to submit your bid over the Internet (see Infotech Digital IDs for more information).

How do I download the Bid component of the AASHTOWare Project Bid™ software?

To download the Bid component of the AASHTOWare Project Bid™ software, please follow these steps:

1. Go to www.bidx.com and log in.
2. Go to the agency home page. You may need to select the agency you want to submit a bid to and click Go.
3. Click the AASHTOWare Project Bids Bid link in the Downloads box on the upper right side of the home page.
4. Read the license agreement and select the check box. You must read the entire agreement before the Install button becomes available.
5. Click the Install Bid Component button. The AASHTOWare Project Bids™ Bid component will install on your computer. If your .NET version is not up to date, it will be installed as well.

Can I download the of the AASHTOWare Project Bid™ Bid component to more than one computer?

Yes. The AASHTOWare Project Bid™ Bid component can be downloaded to any number of computers.

How do I know which version of the Bid component of the AASHTOWare Project Bid™ software is in use by my bidding agency?

Every agency using the Bid component of the AASHTOWare Project Bid™ software uses the same version. The component is updated automatically when a new version is released.

What technical specifications does my computer need to meet before it can run the AASHTOWare Project Bid™ Bid component?

The Bid component of the AASHTOWare Project Bid™ software requires Windows 7 or later and the latest .NET Framework. A modem or network connection with Internet availability is required for Internet bid submission functionality.

What type of Proxy settings are needed for the AASHTOWare Project Bid™ Bid component to work properly?

The Bid component of the AASHTOWare Project Bid™ software is configured to connect directly to the Internet when it is first installed. While this setting works with most computers, there are other settings that can be configured. These include using Windows settings or manual proxy configuration. The configuration should be done only by a network administrator.

Open the AASHTOWare Project Bid™ Bid component and select Options, or select Options from the Tools menu if the component is already open. Choose the Proxy tab. Enable the proxy and select the new configuration, then click the Save icon.

It is highly recommended that you test the component in advance to ensure the setting works. Click the Test Proxy Settings icon on the Proxy tab. If the information entered is correct, the Bid component of the AASHTOWare Project Bid™ software displays a confirmation message. If it is incorrect, you will see a message stating the connection could not be initialized.

What is an Infotech Digital ID?

An Infotech Digital ID is a unique electronic encryption key that allows contractors to digitally sign bids submitted via the Bid Express service. A Digital ID is required to use the Internet bid submission functionality of the Bid Express service, and may be generated within the Bid Express service.

How do I obtain a Digital ID?

A Digital ID can be created through the Bidding tab on the Settings page of your account. For a full list of steps you will need to complete to start bidding please visit the Prepare to bid at Bidx.com article in our Knowledge Center.

Can multiple people at my company share a Digital ID?

No. By contract, a Digital ID must be in the exclusive possession and is for the exclusive use of the Digital ID holder. Each Digital ID identifies a particular person as an agent of a particular company, and by contract with that person, an act made by the use of a Digital ID is attributed to the Digital ID holder. However, any number of people authorized to bind your company can have their own Digital ID, and anyone holding a Digital ID can digitally sign bids.

What happens if I lose my Digital ID or the password for my Digital ID?

You must create a replacement ID and pay the current processing fee. Any Digital ID you create is kept in a file on your local computer and secured by a password of your selection. The Bid Express team never has any access or backup copy whatsoever for your Digital ID. Please maintain a backup copy of your ID in a secure location and do not forget your password, as it is non-recoverable by the Bid Express team.

How do I backup my Digital ID?

To backup your Digital ID in the Bid component of the AASHTOWare Project Bids™ software, please follow these instructions:

1. Select Manage Digital IDs from the Tools menu.
2. Select the ID to export and click the up arrow icon. The Bid component opens the Export Digital ID window.
3. Enter the Digital ID password in the Password field.
4. Click Export.
5. Navigate to the location of where you want to export the ID and click Save.

What is a replacement Digital ID?

A replacement Digital ID is a new Digital ID that replaces a Digital ID that has been lost or destroyed. If you lose or cannot access your Digital ID file, or if you lose or forget your password, you will need to generate a replacement Digital ID at the current fee Therefore, it is highly recommended that you back up your Digital ID on media not connected to your computer in case your computer stops working. You should also regularly ensure that the backup media you chose is working properly, as this backup can also become corrupted.

How do I generate a replacement Digital ID and what is the submission process?

A replacement Digital ID can be created from the Bidding tab on the Settings page of your account. For a full explanation of replacement Digital IDs and steps to complete this process please visit the Prepare to bid at Bidx.com article in our Knowledge Center.

Why is my Infotech Digital ID for the AASHTOWare Project Bids™ software expiring?

Progress made in software, security, and other technology has allowed us to update and strengthen our method of maintaining the security of Digital IDs. This includes adding an expiration date to any Digital ID used with the AASHTOWare Project Bids™ software.

How do I regenerate the Infotech Digital ID for the AASHTOWare Project Bids™ Bid component?

When you receive the 90-day expiration email, click the link provided. You may also regenerate your Digital ID through your Bid Express account. Please use a computer or device that contains the Digital ID.

How will I be notified when I need to regenerate my Infotech Digital ID for the AASHTOWare Project Bids™ software?

Notification emails are sent to the account holder’s registered email address starting 90 days before the expiration date. Thirty days before the expiration date, you will be notified when you log in to the Bid Express service that your Digital ID for the Bid component is expiring and must be renewed.

What happens to my Infotech Digital ID for the AASHTOWare Project Bids™ software if it is not renewed before the expiration date?

Your Infotech Digital ID for AASHTOWare Project Bids™ software will no longer be valid and cannot be used after the expiration date. You will need to create a new Digital ID and pay the associated fees in order to continue bidding with the Bid component.

What is a Joint Venture?

A Joint Venture is a single entity formed when multiple entities join together for a business purpose, such as to bid on an agency project.

Do I need a separate Digital ID for a Joint Venture?

Yes. A Digital ID is needed for a joint venture because once you have been prequalified by the agency to bid jointly, the agency will assign the venture a new vendor/bidder number.

What do I need to create a Joint Venture Digital ID?

You will need the new vendor/bidder number assigned by the agency to the joint venture company, the authorized signer for the joint venture, and the company name under the joint venture.

How do I submit a bid over the Internet using the Bid component of the AASHTOWare Project Bids™ software?

To submit a bid, you must first download the proposal (.EBSX file):

1. Go to www.bidx.com and log in.
2. Select the agency you want to submit a bid to and click Go.
3. Click on the Lettings tab located at the top menu.
4. Click on a letting date.
5. Click on the link of the proposal you would like to bid.
6. In the Downloads box on the right side of screen, click on the file ending in .ebsx. If there is an Amendment to the bid, click on the.zip file. Do not change the name of the file that is being downloaded. These file names are specific for each bid and proposal.
7. Save (do not open) the file to a location on your computer.
8. After the file is downloaded, open the AASHTOWare Project Bids™ Bid component.
9. Select Open Other Proposal from the opening window.
10. Locate the file on your computer and click Open.
11. If you downloaded the zip file you will see a Select the proposal window. Select the proposal and click Open. If there are amendments an amendment change window will appear. You may click the print option to save a hard copy of the changes. Click OK to apply the changes.
12. Click on each tab on the left side and complete your bid.
13. Click on the check mark icon at the top of the menu to check your bid for errors before submitting.
14. Select Submit Bid from the Tools menu (or click on the lightning bolt icon) to submit your bid. The Bid submission wizard opens up. Follow the steps of the wizard, select your active Infotech Digital ID, enter the ID password. Print your submission receipt for your records.

Can I submit a bid more than once??

Yes You are able to submit updated versions of the bid before the bid's deadline . The agency will only receive the last successful bid submission.

Can I withdraw a bid? If so, how can I withdraw a bid or view a submitted bid?

Using the AASHTOWare Project Bid™ Bid component:

1. Select View Submitted Bids from the Tools menu.
2. Follow the View Bids Wizard instructions. Select your Digital ID and enter the ID password.

At this point you will be able to view the bid(s) (you'll see multiple entries if you are bidding on more than one proposal) that you have submitted or withdraw the bid by highlighting the desired bid and clicking the Withdraw Bid button.

Can I rename the EBSX file?

We do not recommend that you rename the EBSX file. Instead, create a new folder on your computer and place the EBSX file inside it. You may name the folder whatever you wish.

Who can read my bid?

No one but you can read your bid until the public bid opening. When you do submit a bid, the AASHTOWare Project Bid™ Bid component uses your Infotech Digital ID and encrypts the bid before sending it. The Bid Express service cannot read your bid and will not pass it to the agency until the official bid opening.

Could my bid be lost?

The Bid Express service has designed the system to avoid this from happening, including keeping multiple copies of submitted. In addition, you will receive electronic bid receipts whenever you submit a bid, which can be used to prove when the bid was submitted. These bid receipts will be digitally signed by the Bid Express service, using the same technology you use to sign your bid.

How do I submit my bid bond if I submit my bid over the Internet through the Bid Express service?

When submitting a bid over the Internet, you may continue to provide a paper bid bond (if accepted by the agency you are bidding with) or you may use the electronic bid bond verification feature. You must have an enabled Infotech Digital ID before completing an electronic bid bond verification.

To use the verification feature, you and your local bonding agent must first create an account with a participating surety agency (please see below for agency contact information). The surety agency will then provide your local bonding agent with a bid bond verification number. Your bonding agent will most likely require your bidder ID, otherwise referred to as a contractor ID or vendor number, and the proposal number or contract ID for the proposal you are bidding on.

Once you receive the bid bond verification number, enter the number in the Bid component of the AASHTOWare Project Bids™ software, and complete the additional bid bond fields. Then click the Verify button. The Verify Bond wizard opens to help you through the verification process. Follow the wizard's instructions, and enter your Digital ID password when prompted to do so. When you are finished, the wizard sends your bid bond information to the bonding company through the Bid Express service, retrieves your bond verification information, and brings it back to your bid file. When you submit your bid over the Internet, the bond verification information is included.

Click the Check Bid icon in the Bid component. If the Bid Bond tab is complete, you will see a check mark next to the tab name.

Agency Contact Information

Surety 2000:
Tel: (800) 660-3263 Email: help@surety2000.com

InSure Vision:
Tel: (800) 989-6417 Email: support@insurevision.com

What is the Bid Express Small Business Network™?

The Bid Express Small Business Network™? is a business center that facilitates the interaction between prime contractors and subcontractors, especially DBEs and other under-utilized businesses. It is part of the Bid Express Basic Service.

Does information posted to the Bid Express Small Business Network have the same security as when I bid using the Bid Express Service?

All quotes, whether via a reply or an unsolicited quote, are sent to the Bid Express account of the prime contractor. While subcontractors' replies are not available for public viewing, the Bid Express Small Business Network does not use the same encryption technology that the Bid Express service uses to send bids to agencies, nor does the Bid Express Small Business Network employ lock box technology.

I am a prime contractor and I use the Bid Express Small Business Network to request and receive sub-quotes from DBEs and other subcontractors. When I receive a reply to my sub-quote request, will that company know that I have viewed its reply?

Yes. Through the Bid Express Small Business Network, subcontractors and DBEs who have replied to your sub-quote request will be able to see whether you have viewed their reply, and the date and time at which you viewed it if applicable. Similarly, any subcontractor that sends you an unsolicited quote will see the status of that quote (Viewed or Not Opened) and the date and time at which it was viewed.

What information will the agency be able to view?

Agencies have certain reporting capabilities which allows them to see different postings and responses both from the primes and the sub-contractors and DBEs (no prices are ever visible by the agency). When proposals have expired (after the bid opening date), agencies have the ability to run reports showing the Bid Express Small Business Network activity of all firms that used this tool as an avenue to obtain and post quotes. These reports include the sub-quote requests that the DBE viewed and responded to, as well as any unsolicited quotes that the DBE sent to the Bid Express Small Business Network of the prime contractor. They are also able to view the sub-quote requests posted by the primes and the responses received, if any. These reports include time and date. However, prices are not shared with the agency.

I am a subcontractor and I use the Bid Express Small Business Network. Will the contractor know that I have viewed its sub-quote request?

Prime contractors that post sub-quote requests to the Bid Express Small Business Network will be able to see whether those requests have been viewed by subcontractors or DBEs. They will also be able to know who viewed the sub-quote request and the date and time.

How do I know to which prime contractors I may send an unsolicited quote?

Review the Plan Holders and Eligible Bidders List for each proposal. Unsolicited quotes should only be sent to prime contractors who have acquired plan sheets and are eligible to bid - this is the common practice among the bidding community. Sending unsolicited quotes to vendors who do not have acquired plan sheets may be considered spam and, therefore, is not allowed. If an eligible bidder list is not provided by the agency, you may need to call them directly as this may be available elsewhere.

What actions will the Bid Express team take against vendors who are utilizing the Bid Express Small Business Network system to spam?

The Bid Express team will not tolerate any misuse of the Bid Express service, which includes the Bid Express Small Business Network. Wrongful use of the service can lead to discontinued service as stated in the Bid Express subscriber agreement under Section 8. If you are receiving unsolicited quotes and you are not an eligible bidder for the proposal/project, please contact the Bid Express team so that we can address the issue.