BidMatrix FAQs

Is BidMatrix a Cloud solution or a local desktop solution?

BidMatrix is a Cloud solution. There is nothing to install on your local workstations. All you need is your user ID and password and an internet connection.


Is Bridgetown Software providing the hosting service?

The BidMatrix application and a company's data is being hosted on highly secure servers in the Microsoft Azure Cloud.


Is my access to BidMatrix based on a subscription?

Yes, access to BidMatrix is based on a 12 month subscription for each user.


If a customer ever chooses not to renew their subscription, is it possible to download the data associated with all their projects?

Yes, an executive of the subscribing company can request and receive a download of their project related data.


Is Bridgetown Software, Inc. going to access our data for the purpose sharing, selling, or marketing?

No, we recognize the proprietary nature of each company's project data. Bridgetown Software will not share, sell, or use a company's data for marketing purposes.


How secure is the BidMatrix data?

With BidMatrix, a company's data is highly secure. Our decision to host BidMatrix data in the Microsoft Azure Cloud was largely based on wanting to take full advantage of Microsoft's security protocols.


Does BidMatrix integrate with any of the leading estimating solutions in North America?

Yes, BidMatrix includes integration to two of the leading estimating solutions in North America; Trimble's WinEst estimating and Sage / Timberline estimating.


Is it possible to import an estimate into BidMatrix from Excel?

Yes, BidMatrix allows you to import an estimate from Excel. The Excel import can also be used to import an estimate from any specific estimating application that can save an estimate report to Excel.


Does BidMatrix integrate with any of the leading subcontractor management / invitation-to-bid solutions?

Yes, in addition to the local BidMatrix subcontractor database, BidMatrix is also integrated with both Autodesk's BuildingConnected®  and ConstructConnect's SmartBidNet®.


Is BidMatrix a collaborative solution, allowing multiple users to be working in the same "bidroom" at the same time?

Yes, BidMatrix provides a collaborative environment, allowing a team of estimators to be working together in a project "bidroom" with a "bid captain" receiving real-time updates from each of the bid packages. In addition, BidMatrix supports multiple users working in a bid package at the same time.


Can I create a local subcontractor database in BidMatrix?

Yes, BidMatrix will allow you to create your own subcontractor database. The other option is to rely on the subcontractors that you have access to with your optional SmartBid® or BuildingConnected® application.


Can I add "alternates" to each project, so subcontractor bids can be entered for both the base estimate and any number of "alternates"?

BidMatrix will allow you to add "alternates" to the base estimate. Subcontractor bids can then be entered for the base bid and any number of "alternates". 


If an estimate created in Sage estimating includes "alternates", will those alternates and their associated bid packages be automatically imported during the upload Sage Estimate option?

 Yes, the upload Sage Estimate option will upload to BidMatrix the base estimate and all active "alternates".


If an estimate created in Trimble WinEst estimating includes "alternates", will those alternates and their associated bid packages be automatically imported during the upload Sage Estimate option?

 Yes, the Upload Trimble WinEst Estimate option will upload to BidMatrix the base estimate and all active "alternates".


Is it possible to attach notes when entering a quote for a subcontractor in the bid package matrix?

Yes, notes can be entered for each subcontractor on each of the phases in the bid package. Notes can also be entered for each subcontractor that has been added to the bid package.


When working in a specific bid package is it possible to exclude a subcontractor's quote when searching for the optimum bid package solution?

Yes, you can exclude a subcontractor's quote when searching for the optimum bid package solution.


When working in a specific bid package, is it possible to require a subcontractor's quote when searching for the optimum bid package package solution?

Yes, BidMatrix will allow you to require a subcontractor's quote when searching for the optimum bid package solution.


Is it possible to compare my budgets for each bid package with the quotes I'm entering from subcontractors?

Yes, as you enter subcontractor quotes into the bid package, BidMatrix will give you instant feedback, always comparing your subcontractor solution against your budget or your "plug numbers" for that bid package.


Is it possible to add markups / addons to the project bid?

Yes, BidMatrix allows you to add lump sum and percentage markups to the entire project bid. Each markup can either be applied to the entire bid, or restricted to the base bid or any combination of "alternates" that may exist in the project. The markup can also be limited to one or more of bid packages.


Is it possible to add a "bottom line" markup, for example a bond markup to a BidMatrix project?

 Yes, BidMatrix allows you add "bottom line" markups to a BidMatrix project. These markups will calculate on the gross total for the project, and will include the markup in the gross total as the markup basis.  If it is a bond markup, you can enter as many percentage steps as needed.


Can I manually build a list of bid packages and bid package phases directly in BidMatrix, without having to upload from Excel or a specific estimating solution?

Yes, BidMatrix allows you to build your entire list of bid packages without having to upload an estimate.


Can each bid package have a list of scope clarifications, for tracking inclusions and exclusions?

Yes, you can add an unlimited number of scope clarifications for each bid package.


Is it possible to import a list of scope clarifications from clarification templates in either Excel or Word?

Yes, BidMatrix allows you to import your clarifications from either Excel or Word.


Am I able to track my MBE percentages in BidMatrix? 

Yes, you can track MBE award percentages directly in BidMatrix. You can actually track as many subcontractor statistics as you need. Another project may require you to track the percentage of local subcontractors you have awarded work to. BidMatrix handles that with ease.

Is it possible to add dollars to a subcontractor quote to cover missing scope?

Yes, for every individual subcontractor quote, you can add dollars to account for an exclusion or potential risk. BidMatrix will highlight all subcontractor quotes that were supplemented with additional dollars.


Can I make a last minute cut to a subcontractor quote?

Yes, for every individual subcontractor quote, you can enter a "cut" to their quote. BidMatrix will highlight all subcontractor quotes that were adjusted with a cut to their respective quote.


Is it possible to add or subtract dollars from a subcontractor's quote at the same time reviewing their quote for inclusions and exclusions?

Yes, as you're checking each subcontractor's quote for inclusions and exclusions, you can add or subtract dollars from their quote.


Is it possible to enter a note for the entire bid package?

Yes, bid package notes can either be entered within each bid package or they can also be added to each bid package on the "bid summary" sheet.


If multiple users are entering quotes in the same bid package at the same time, is it possible to see which users are in the bid package?

Yes, BidMatrix will always show you a list of users that are currently in each bid package. In addition, you will also be able to tell exactly where each user is located within the bid package.


Is there an audit trail, or a history of all the activity that has taken place within each bid package?

Yes, BidMatrix provides a complete history of all the activity for each bid package. The history can be reviewed on screen, printed and even saved to Excel.


When entering a subcontractor bid into a bid package matrix, is it possible to see the primary contact, their phone number, email address, etc.

Yes, you will always be able to see important subcontractor information in for each subcontractor in the bid package matrix.


If integrating with SmartBid® or BuildingConnected®, is it possible to see within each BidMatrix bid package which subcontractors accepted or declined the bid package invites that were sent from SmartBid® or BuildingConnected®?

Yes, if using SmartBid® or BuildingConnected® as your invitation-to-bid solution, you will be able to see a list of all the subcontractors for that bid package, grouped by their current bid invite status (accepted, declined, or pending).


Is it possible to print the bid package matrix?

Yes, you can print the bid package matrix at any time, or you can export the bid package matrix to Excel.


Is it possible to print the bid summary sheet?

Yes, you can print the bid summary sheet at any time, or you can export the summary sheet to Excel.


Is it possible to supplement a subcontractor's bid for a phase where the subcontractor did not provide a bid?

Yes, you can supplement a phase that a subcontractor did not bid. You can "plug" a zero dollar phase with a value and BidMatrix will automatically attach a warning icon in the cell as a reminder that the subcontractor did not bid that phase.

Is it possible to create a project with a default list of bid packages and markups that can then be used to create a new project?

Yes, you can create project templates in BidMatrix. The templates can have a default list of bid packages, bid package phases, markups, and clarifications. When you create a new project, you can choose to use a project template as your starting point.


Is it possible to copy a project or save the project you are working on as a snapshot in time?

Yes, you can make copies of an existing project. An exact copy will be saved. This will allow you to save the same project at different phases as the project moves through the different phases of project definition.


Is it possible to enter the same subcontractor multiple times in the same bid package matrix?

Yes, you can enter the same subcontractor multiple times in the same matrix. This will allow you to enter different types of bids from the same subcontractor easily. For example, you could enter a "lump sum" bid as well as a breakout of individual bids from the same subcontractor, in the same bid package matrix.


Is it possible to develop custom reports and add them as menu options in BidMatrix?

Yes, BidMatrix gives you SQL access to your company's project details. You can then use SQL report writing tools to develop custom reports and add them as menu options for all your projects.


Is it possible to analyze our bid history across all of our projects?

Yes, BidMatrix includes complete access to your company's project data using the BidMatrix API (application programming interface) which is included with BidMatrix. You can then use data analytic tools like Microsoft PowerBI and Tableau to create bid history dashboards, dashboards that can be shared with other resources within your company. 

Is it possible to modify item quantities, item totals, and WBS assignments after I have imported an estimate from Sage Timberline, Trimble WinEst, or Excel?

Yes, when you import an estimate from Sage Timberline, Trimble WinEst, or Excel, you can make changes to those items in BidMatrix. 

Is it possible to add items to an estimate after I have done an import from Sage Timberline, Trimble WinEst, or Excel?

Yes, you can add items to an estimate in BidMatrix at anytime. The items and their respective costs will update the appropriate bid package budgets immediately.

Can I "breakout" category costs for a bid package phase, for example, asking our subcontractors to give us a bid for both the labor amount and the material amount on a bid package phase?
Yes, cost categories can be broken out from bid package phases, allowing you to compare bids from subcontractors for both labor and material.

Is it possible to create a markup for material sales tax?

Yes, if you have material cost in your bid, you can create a markup that use the material cost in the bid as the basis for the sales tax calculation.

Can a markup be created where the basis for the markup is limited to specific work breakdowns?
Yes, you can limit markups to specific work breakdowns. For example, you could create a markup where the cost basis is limited to a specific location(s).


Can multiple users be in the detailed estimate. reviewing the estimate and making changes simultaneously?
Yes, BidMatrix is a full multi-user estimate spreadsheet. Multiple users can be making changes to the estimate at the same time...no need for last minute merging of individual spreadsheets.

Is it possible to enter bids from subcontractors for each bid package, but then see the "as bid" estimate broken down by location?
Yes, you can see your "as bid" estimate broken down by any of your user defined WBS groupings.

Can I keep my own estimate in the final bid for the trades that we typically self-perform?
Yes, you can tell BidMatrix which areas of the estimate you will not be carrying subcontractor numbers, but instead carrying your own budgets.
Sign Up For Product Updates