ColoradoBIDS FAQsTable of Contents



What is ColoradoBIDS?

The Colorado Bid Information and Distribution System (ColoradoBIDS) is the online solicitation platform for State Agencies and State Institutions of Higher Education. Local Governments (cities, counties, and special districts such as school, water, fire, transpiration and utilities) use different solicitation platforms. Users may contact Local Governments directly to understand how they procure goods and services. Listings for Local Governments are available on our website www.colorado.gov/spo

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Why should my company be a registered user?

Users may choose to receive email notifications for new solicitations in the categories of interest. Users should review the website regularly as some opportunities may be found outside of the categories they have selected for notification.

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How much does it cost to register on ColoradoBIDS?

There is no fee to register on ColoradoBIDS.

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What is the deadline for being registered?

If a supplier is providing a response for a solicitation, the supplier must be registered on ColoradoBIDS before the Submittal Date and Time listed on the solicitation.

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How do I determine if my company or I am registered?

To avoid duplicate registrations our system searches Federal Identification Numbers (FEIN) at registration. If a supplier’s FEIN is currently on file, the registration process stops.
Call the Help Desk at 303-866-6464 option 1, or send an email to bids.help@state.co.us for assistance.

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How do I register on ColoradoBIDS?

Follow the Register link.
Foreign suppliers registering on ColoradoBIDS, should contact the Help Desk by phone at 303-866-6464 option 1, or by email at bids.help@state.co.us.

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How do I use ColoradoBIDS?

1. Locate a solicitation or construction notice using the dropdown menus provided on the left side of the page.
2. Use the search filters on the top of the next page to filter results. Users may search solicitations thought a solicitation’s lifecycle. Reviewing “open” notices provides information to users on what is currently being solicited. Viewing solicitations that have been “awarded ” provides historical data (price, details on the awarded vendor / contractor) and contact information for the Agency can be viewed. When using the filters at the top of the page, make sure to click the blue spyglass icon to the right of the “free text” field to receive complete search results.
3. Once a solicitation appears in a search result, users may click on the solicitation number (blue hyperlinks).
4. Basic information about the solicitation is posted on the solicitation and some information is available to the public at no charge.
5. At the top/right of the page you there is a “Login” link to enter username and password to access full solicitations details.
6. For more information please refer to the ACCESSColorado program of the State Purchasing Office www.colorado.gov/spo.

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How do I submit a response to a solicitation?

Registered users are able to view complete solicitation details and are given specific information as to how, where and when a response to a solicitation must be submitted. Responses not meeting all criteria will not be considered for award. Suppliers should check ColoradoBIDS for modifications to the solicitation for the solicitation they are submitting for. If a solicitation is modified, suppliers submitting a response to the solicitation may be asked to acknowledge they have read the modification in order to be considered for an award.

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Who can I call for help?

Questions regarding solicitations can be directed to the person named in the solicitation.
Questions of a technical nature for ColoradoBIDS (registration, user name, password, renewal, etc.) should be directed to the ColoradoBIDS Help Desk (303-866-6464 option 1 or by email at bids.help@state.co.us).

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Registered user questions
How can I view my registration details?

Once logged in visit the My Account link at the top of the page.

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How do I update my registration?

Once logged in, select the My Account link at the top/right of the page.
Go to Users for this Account header located at the top/right of the page to update specific login information.
Select the entry that needs updated and a new box will appear where the information can be changed.

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How do I renew my registration?

Once logged in, go to the My Account link.
Choose the CLICK TO RENEW option on the home page or My Account section of the site.
Please Note: As of March 3, 2014 renewal fees are no longer being collected. If you have registered previously and your registration is inactive, please contact the ColoradoBIDS Help Desk.
Renewing foreign suppliers may contact the Help Desk by phone at 303-866-6464 option 1 or by email at bids.help@state.co.us.

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Can I renew a registration on-line?

Yes. Follow the steps in “How do I renew my registration.”

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How do I find usernames and passwords for my company?

How do I add, delete or update usernames and passwords?

How do I add additional users for my company?
What if I have forgotten my password or login information?

Suppliers create usernames and passwords during the registration process.
Additional user names and passwords can be added at registration or after users are logged in.
Once logged in, select the My Account option available at the top/right of the home page.
Select Users for this Account header located at the top/right of the page to review existing logins.
New users can also be added by selecting the Add User button.
Once selected, a new box will appear where new user information can be entered.
Registered users who have forgotten their login information should contact the Help Desk by phone at 303-866-6464 option 1 or by email at bids.help@state.co.us.

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Where do I log on?

Our web site is open to the public and there is no need to log on unless registered users want to see the complete details of a solicitation. See "How do I view the specifications for a solicitation?"

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I have chosen to receive email notifications for solicitations but I am not receiving them. What should I do?

Contact information should be reviewed for accuracy (especially email address).
Ensure the setting in your profile is selected to receive emails.
Review all appropriate categories are selected for notification.
Make sure our email address, no-reply@coloradobids.com, is approved by your email system. (Some companies may collaborate with their IT Department in case a verification process needs completed.)
ColoradoBIDS cannot be responsible for email notification failures. We recommend actively searching the website for opportunities as some opportunities may be outside the categories users have selected for notification.

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Solicitation questions
How do I view the specifications for a solicitation?

Log into the site (select the login button located on the upper right corner of the website or select link located under the Specification Details and Attachments in a solicitation).
Enter username and password.
Once logged in, specifications should be available for review.

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I get into the specifications section but I don't see any specifications. Where are they?

Specifications are commonly attached as Adobe "pdf" files, or Word documents. Select the icons within the solicitation to access this information. (Users will need the appropriate software installed on their computers to successfully open these documents.)
If there are no attachments, look for the information within the specification section of the solicitation.

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