BIS Question Log
Introduction: Below are questions that are repetitively asked by the vendors along with the standard responses.
Question: How do I get on this service?
Answer: Go to BIS (Bid Information System) and click into the "How to Subscribe" Link. There will be a Vendor Profile form to fill out, and a $75.00 fee to submit. When your subscription has been approved by Purchasing Services, you will be sent an ID and password which will allow you access to the system.
Question: How does this service work?
Answer: You choose up to five categories that you are interested in. Any bids that fall under those categories will be automatically e-mailed to you. If the e-mail is too large for your e-mail system to handle, you will be sent a notification with a message directing you to view the bid on our website. You are free to view any bids on the website, even those not under your chosen categories.
Question: My password doesn't work? I forgot my password?
Answer: Are you making sure everything, including your ID is case-sensitive? (Try logging in with the vendor information to see if there really is a problem.) If there is, reset the password and walk the vendor through the login process.
Question: I can't download the bid?
Answer: Have you downloaded and installed the free Adobe Acrobat Reader?
Other questions or issues that I have come across….
Question: E-mail address is incorrectly entered, e-mail doesn't work, or no e-mail address is given.
Answer: Call the company and see if you can speak with the technical consultant to resolve e-mail issues.
Question: Can you email me the bid, I can't seem to get all the way through a download.
Answer: Yes. (This question is never asked, usually there is trouble with the way the vendor computer is setup to handle Adobe Acrobat Reader.)
Question: I can't find your website.
Answer: Give the address: http://bidinfo.umn.edu. Ask the vendor what browser they are using - ie: Netscape, Internet Explorer, AOL, Opera, Lynx, etc. Try and walk the vendor through keying the web address into the location or address bar.
Question: I don't have a computer.
Answer: Go to a public library and setup a free account on Yahoo, Hotmail or any other company that allows free email. (In the future direct the vendors to the Kiosk in the Purchasing Lobby.)
Question: I can't find any bids on the website.
Answer: There may not be any available under the chosen categories. Or, the vendor may have problems with the method of searching. Instruct the vendor to simply scroll down at the Vendor Home Page.
Question: I went to re-enter my company information, and it said there was already a company with that name on file.
Answer: Check the vendor database and see if in fact it is true. If so, ask the vendor for the rest of the pertinent information and proceed with the subscription sign-up.
Question: What types of things does the University buy? Is it worth my money?
Answer: You can either direct them to the buyer, or read them a list of projects from the current BID list. Tell the vendor that the list is for projects over the bid threshold (over $10,000).
Expectations: If there is a question that is repeatedly asked, add it to the list, otherwise, these are pretty comprehensive for the repetitive queries.
Last Revised: July 12, 2001
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