RFP is a request for a proposal. A shipper would send a request outlining their requirements for upcoming logistics plans to solicit bids from selected carriers. ShipperGuide offers a platform where shippers can create proposals, invite carriers, compare bids, and award lanes. With ShipperGuide, shippers can streamline and expedite the time-consuming process of preparing and finalizing an RFP. This article will cover how to set bid details for an RFP.

Setting Bid Details:

1. Log in to ShipperGuide. 

2. On your left dashboard, click RFP Guide.

3. Click CREATE NEW BID to direct to the bid details page.

4. Required: Add the RFP Details: 

• RFP Title
• Receive Rates
  • With Fuel
  • Without Fuel
• Distance unit
  • Miles
  • Kilometers
• Currency

Please enter the conversion rate if any currency type other than USD is selected.

• CAD
• USD
• MXN

5. Required: Add the Contract details:

• Contract starts
• Contract ends

If the contract dates are not specified, it will default to the first weekday after the current date as the Contract start date and the following day as the Contract end date. 

• Volume Frequency
  • Spot quote
  • Daily
  • Weekly
  • Monthly
  • Quarterly
  • Yearly
• Bid Type
  • Award Primary & Backup - select primary/backup and allocate volume to awarded carriers
  • Rates on File (Rank) - rank carriers’ bids in order of preference
• Award Acceptance deadline
  • 1 day after award
  • 2 days after award
  • 3 days after award

The award deadline will be disabled for Spot Quote RFPs, as carriers’ awards will be auto-accepted. Also, it will be disabled for bid type RFPs Rates on File (Rank) as carriers will not need to respond to awards.

For all other RFPs, if the deadline is not selected, it will default as 3 days after the award.

6. Required: Add Carrier deadlines. 

If the deadline date is not specified, it will default as today at 05:00 PM. The bid deadline date must be equal to or greater than today.

7. Required: Add Accessorials.

Prior to selecting your accessorials, you will need to add the accessorial types from your Settings > Procurement.

8. Optional: Add your Contact information:

Add your contact information to share with carriers on the invitation email and carrier’s bid page. Click to save your contact information for all future bids.

9. Optional: Add Documents:

Upload up to 3 documents the carrier may need for the bid.

10. Click Create RFP. 

The bid will now be accessible on the page of your bid status dashboard to add lanes and invite carriers.

If the Create RFP button is not active, please review the RFP form as there may be a required field that is missing.