Vendor FAQ's

There are several reasons. First, you'll never miss a bidding opportunity with your existing customer — bid notifications arrive by email, so you can review and respond from anywhere, even when you're away from the office. Second, paper-based bidding requires postage, printing, and turnaround time you no longer need to spend. With the click of a button, you can respond immediately. And third, you'll start receiving bid opportunities electronically from buyers you haven't worked with before — making the Marketplace a marketing tool as well as a procurement one.

There are no communication fees to do business with one agency at a time, so the cost of joining is zero. You can move your dedication from one agency to another at any time. You'll also receive complimentary solicitation notices from other agencies that want to expand their outreach, including agencies just starting to use the Marketplace. And the agencies themselves benefit — they save hundreds or thousands of dollars in mailing, printing, copying, and handling costs by using the Marketplace electronically. Business as usual is being redefined.

The Marketplace is structured so that any agency, large or small, can use it as a buying tool. It's also used by agencies as a training tool for HUD purchasing guidelines, which means it's not a fly-by-night Marketplace — it's how agencies are being taught to purchase going forward. The shift from paper to electronic procurement upgrades the speed, efficiency, and reach of how agencies handle solicitations, and vendors who are already on the Marketplace get the benefit of that shift.

Price is just one component of any purchase decision. If you're a proven vendor with strong relationships with your clients, the Marketplace becomes a communications and marketing tool between your company and the agencies who use it — not a leveler. You'll also gain the ability to view bid opportunities from other agencies, which gives your company additional bidding opportunities you wouldn't have seen otherwise.