Participate in a Solicitation – BidLogiQ

Overview

BidLogiQ lets vendors participate in an active solicitation (Bid or RFP) by reviewing the posting details and completing each required step in the solicitation workflow: Overview, Narrative, Documents, Addenda, Pricing, RFIs, and Review & Submit. The system enforces required documents, addenda acknowledgements, pricing completeness, and RFI acknowledgements before allowing submission.

If you are responding to a sealed bid, submitted proposals are digitally sealed and cannot be accessed until the predetermined bid open time shown in the solicitation Summary/Submission Details.

Who this is for

Vendors (bidders/respondents) who want to participate in an active Bid or RFP in BidLogiQ

What you’ll see

When you open a solicitation, BidLogiQ presents a step-based workflow with these main sections:

Overview
Narrative
Documents
Addenda
Pricing
RFIs
Review & Submit

Throughout the workflow, you’ll use:

Next (blue button with arrow) to advance
Previous to go back
Edit links (on the Review & Submit page) to jump back to a specific section

Before you begin

You must be logged in as a vendor to open and participate in solicitations.
Your Business Profile must be completed before you’re authorized to participate. If it’s incomplete, the system will block participation/submission and prompt you to complete required profile fields.
Submission is controlled by a deadline (shown in Review & Submit under Submission Details).

Step 1: Go to the solicitation dashboard

Select the BidLogiQ cloud icon (top left).
Result: You return to the main solicitation dashboard where you can search and filter active solicitations.
Locate the solicitation you want to participate in and select it.
Result: The solicitation opens to the Overview section.

Step 2: Review the solicitation overview (and optionally Follow)

On the Solicitation Overview page, review the left-side details:
- Title (Bid/RFP title)
- Type (Bid or RFP)
- Start date
- End date
  Result: You confirm the solicitation basics and timeline.
Review the right-side Requirements Summary, which may include:
- Required documents
- Pricing template
- Published addenda
- RFIs (questions and answers)
  Result: You understand what you must complete before submission.
(Optional) Select Follow on the Solicitation Overview card.
Result: You can follow a solicitation without participating, and it will appear in your solicitations dashboard for easy access later.
Select Next (bottom right).
Result: You move to Narrative.

Step 3: Review the narrative

In Narrative, scroll to review:
- Background
- Solicitation scope
  Result: You’ve reviewed the solicitation’s written narrative content.
If present, review the optional piggybacking language:
- Some bids include an optional piggybacking card with language authorizing piggybacking.
  Result: You can identify whether piggybacking language is included (if applicable).
Select Next (bottom right).
Result: You move to Documents.

Step 4: Review documents and upload required vendor documents

The Documents section typically contains two areas:

A. Bid documents (issuer-provided)

Review the Bid Documents card (top).
Result: You can access documents relevant to the bid/RFP that should be reviewed before participating.

B. Vendor required documents (vendor must upload)

Review the Vendor Required Documents card (below Bid Documents). Each document shows:
- Title (left)
- Requirement status (Required or Optional)
- Upload status (whether you’ve uploaded your completed version)
- Actions (upload actions on the right)
  Result: You can see which documents you must upload to submit.
For each required vendor document:
1. Download the document (if provided by the organization).
2. Complete it as required by the solicitation.
3. Use the Actions column to upload your completed version.
  Result: The upload status updates to show your document has been submitted.

Vendors cannot submit a proposal until all required documents are uploaded. If required documents are missing, the system flags the submission as incomplete and blocks submission.

C. Upload an additional document (optional)

Select Add Document (next to the Vendor Required Documents card).
Result: The Upload Document modal opens.
In the modal, enter a document name.
Result: The document is labeled for your submission.
Upload your file using one of these methods:
- Select Browse Files and choose a file from your computer, or
- Drag and drop the file into the browser
  Result: The file is attached in the modal.
Select Upload (blue button) to upload, or Cancel to exit without uploading.
Result: The document is either added to your submission or not uploaded.
When all required documents are uploaded, select Next (bottom right).
Result: You move to Addenda.

Step 5: View and acknowledge addenda

In Addenda, review the Solicitation Addenda card.
Result: You see all addenda published by the organization, including timestamps.
For each addendum:
1. Review the narrative text (if provided).
2. If an attachment is available, select View Attachment.
  Result: The attachment opens for review.
3. Select the checkbox to acknowledge that specific addendum.
  Result: That addendum is marked as read/acknowledged.
Confirm all addenda are checked.
Result: Addenda requirements are satisfied.

All addenda must be viewed and acknowledged before you can submit a proposal. If any addendum is not acknowledged, submission is blocked.

Select Next (bottom right).
Result: You move to Pricing.

Step 6: Complete pricing (and review allowances/alternates if present)

In Pricing, complete the Pricing Entry section at the top:
- Each line includes a description (left)
- You enter pricing on the right (e.g., Total Cost)
  Result: Pricing entries are captured for each required line item.
If unit/quantity pricing is used for the solicitation, enter the required values.
Result: Total costs calculate based on the pricing structure.
Complete all required pricing lines.
Result: The system marks pricing as complete; incomplete pricing blocks submission.
If Allowances appear:
- Review the allowance descriptions and amounts (read-only, set by the organization).
  Result: You can view informational allowance values.
If Alternates appear:
- Enter the flat dollar amounts for each alternate line.
  Result: Alternate pricing is captured.
Select Next (bottom right).
Result: You move to RFIs.

Step 7: Review RFIs and submit questions (optional)

The RFIs section is where vendors ask clarifying questions.

A. Review existing questions and answers

Review the RFI summary cards:
- Total questions asked
- Total questions answered
- Pending questions
  Result: You can quickly see the RFI status for the solicitation.
Review each RFI card:
- Vendor identity is obscured (you won’t see which vendor asked)
- Question title and question text are visible
- Timestamp is visible
- Organization responses are highlighted in green with a green check
  Result: You can read all posted questions and responses.

When a vendor submits an RFI, the issuing organization is notified by email.
When the organization answers an RFI, all vendors are notified by email (including vendors who are following or participating).

B. Acknowledge that you’ve read all RFIs (required)

Select the checkbox stating I have read all answers.
Result: RFI acknowledgement is satisfied.

Vendors cannot submit without acknowledging that they have read all RFI answers.

C. Submit a new RFI (optional)

Select Submit New Request (top right).
Result: A request modal opens.
Enter:
- Title
- Question description
(Optional) Attach files relevant to your question.
Result: Your RFI includes supporting context/documents.
Select Submit to send the RFI, or Cancel to close without submitting.
Result: The RFI is submitted and the organization is notified by email.
When RFIs are acknowledged, select Next (bottom right).
Result: You move to Review & Submit.

Step 8: Review and submit your proposal

On Review & Submit, review the summary cards:
- Document Summary (shows documents you submitted)
- Pricing Summary (shows mandatory pricing and any allowances/alternates)
- Addenda Acknowledgement (shows acknowledgements and dates)
  Result: You can confirm all components are present before submitting.
If you need to correct something, select Edit on the relevant card.
Result: BidLogiQ returns you to the corresponding section to update your entry.
Review the right-side Submission Details, including:
- Solicitation ID
- Submission deadline
- Time remaining
- Validation checklist:
  - All documents uploaded
  - Pricing information complete
  - All addenda acknowledged
  - All RFIs acknowledged
  - Terms and conditions accepted
    Result: You can see what is complete and what is still blocking submission.
Select the confirmation checkbox indicating:
- You confirm the information is accurate and complete
- You understand the submission is legally binding
  Result: Terms/confirmation is satisfied and submission can proceed.
Select Submit Proposal.
Result: Your proposal is submitted.

After submission

You receive an email confirmation.
The proposal is logged in your profile.
No further changes are allowed after submission.

After submission (sealed bid behavior)

If the solicitation is a sealed bid, your submitted proposal is digitally sealed and cannot be accessed until the bid open time listed in the solicitation Summary/Submission Details.

Update a submission before the deadline (Unsubmit)

Before the solicitation end date/deadline, you can return to the submission and “unsubmit” to make changes, then re-submit before the deadline.
Result: You can correct/update your response while the solicitation is still open.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Likely cause	How to fix
I can’t open or participate in a solicitation	You’re not logged in or your Business Profile is incomplete	Log in, then complete required Business Profile fields and Save.
Submit Proposal is disabled or blocked	Required documents are missing	Go to Documents, upload all items marked Required, then return to Review & Submit.
Submission blocked in Addenda	One or more addenda not acknowledged	Go to Addenda and check each addendum’s acknowledgement checkbox.
Submission blocked in RFIs	“I have read all answers” not checked	Go to RFIs and select the acknowledgement checkbox, then return to Review & Submit.
Pricing shows incomplete	Not all required pricing lines are filled out	Go to Pricing, complete all required entries, then return to Review & Submit.
Upload modal doesn’t accept my file	File type/size restrictions or browser issue	Try a different file format or smaller file, or use Browse Files instead of drag-and-drop.
I don’t see who asked a question in RFIs	Vendor identities are intentionally obscured	Review the question content and timestamps; vendor names are not displayed by design.
The organization can’t access/view submitted proposals yet	The solicitation is configured as a sealed bid and proposals remain sealed until the bid open time	Confirm the bid open time in the solicitation Summary/Submission Details and wait until that time.

FAQ

Can I follow a solicitation without submitting?
Yes. Use Follow on the Overview screen to track it and return later without participating.

Do I have to acknowledge addenda even if there’s no attachment?
Yes. Each addendum must be acknowledged using its checkbox before submission is allowed.

Why is the RFI question asker anonymous?
Vendor identities are obscured so vendors can’t see which other vendors submitted questions.

Will I get notified about addenda and RFI answers?
Yes. When addenda are published, vendors following the solicitation are notified. When RFIs are answered, vendors are notified by email whether they are following or participating.

What happens after I submit my proposal?
You receive an email confirmation, your proposal is logged in your profile, and the submission becomes locked (no further changes allowed).

Can I change my proposal before the deadline?
Yes—before the deadline/end date, you can “unsubmit,” make updates, and re-submit before time expires.

What happens when I submit a response to a sealed bid?
For sealed bids, proposals are digitally sealed and cannot be accessed until the bid open time shown in the solicitation Summary/Submission Details.

Where do I find the bid open time?
Check the solicitation Summary/Submission Details (shown during the workflow, including on Review & Submit).

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