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What does BidAlert.com do?

BidAlert.com was developed specifically for General Contractors, Architects, Engineers, Subcontractors and Suppliers to find and report valuable time-sensitive information about new private-sector commercial construction projects. These types of projects have become very scarce and increasingly more difficult to discover. BidAlert.com has assembled the largest and most experienced research team focused solely on this segment of the market in order to uncover promising leads very early in the construction cycle. What makes BidAlert.com different? We are extremely cost effective, we have no long-term contracts full of fine print, we don't charge for research on projects you have no interest in and we report only private-sector projects!

BidAlert.com Overview

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How should I search for projects that are right for my company?

Have you seen our BidAlert How-To Video on the Learn More page? Here are some additional tips to make your searches more efficient -

To search for new projects, go to My Workspace and click on the Search tab. You can customize your search in a variety of ways. We recommend searching broadly to start with and then narrowing your criteria gradually if you get too many projects on your initial search.

You can select more than one option in the list of criteria by holding down the shift key and using the up and down arrows to highlight criteria. (For example, in the Dollar Range box you can pick projects larger than $250,000 by clicking on $250,000 and then using your down arrow to highlight all of the jobs down thru $10 million.)

You can select individual options in the list by using the control key and clicking on the options you want included. (For example, you can click on Additions and then scroll down to General Renovations. Use Ctrl and click on General Renovations to add it to your search.)

You can search by word or phrase in the Project Name or Project Address. Just type in the word you are looking for – such as "Burger" in the project name or "Peachtree" in the address line – and our system will find any projects that have that word in the field.

When you select a State, our system automatically provides the counties in that State for your convenience. You can skip the Project County field to search the entire State or you can pick the counties you are interested in.

To see more projects per page, change the page size in the bottom right corner.

Note: We are correcting an issue with our date fields. Please enter your date with the year first, then the month followed by the date (2010-04-18). Thanks for bearing with us.

Searching for Projects

To view full screen, click the four arrow icon on the right of the toolbar.

Watch all of our videos on YouTube.

What do the columns and symbols on the search results page mean?

The first column will let you perform a command on more than one project at a time. For example, you pick several projects and then place Bid+ tags on all of them at once by using the icons at the bottom of the page.

The Updated date indicates the last time one of our researchers worked on the project. (Of course when you place a Bid+ tag on a project, our project researchers will dive more deeply into the project and make sure you get informed on the all of the latest details).

The Bid+ icon lets you request additional research on a project. Selecting a Bid+ tag will trigger one of our senior researchers to personally track the project for you. You will receive an update within 2 business days that will include all of the latest information available on the project. Then, you will receive continual updates (as least monthly) as the project goes through its progressive stages (Pre-Plan to Post Bid) in order to keep you in the know on Architect, Engineer, General Contractor/bidder selections as well as bid dates, bidding instructions and current project status information. We will also provide live links to the project plans whenever possible to save you time and money on your take-offs.

The WatchIt icon lets you move the project over to your workspace at no charge. With this feature you can watch (or save) a project for later viewing or until it becomes important and you need a greater level of detail. At that point, you can put a Bid+ tag on the project and we will provide you with the latest updates as well as ongoing information for the life of the project.

The Map Link icon will provide a Google map of the project address.

You can get additional details about the project by clicking on Details in the View column. This will provide you with the current project status as well as the companies working on the project along with contact information. Like what you see but want to know more? You can add a Bid+ tag or decide to WatchIt from this page as well.

Is there an easy way to save my search criteria?

An important feature allows you to save your search for future use by clicking on the Save Search icon at the bottom of the page. You can name the search to make it easier to locate on the Saved Searches page. It will be helpful to add date parameters to your searches when you use the BidAlert system regularly to bring up the projects that have been entered since your last search.

Note: We are correcting an issue with our date fields. Please enter your date with the year first, then the month followed by the date (2010-04-18). Thanks for bearing with us.

What is the difference between watching a project and tagging it?

Both actions move the project to your workspace for further management. Using a Bid+ tag will get you updated and ongoing information so you can monitor the project as it transitions through the plan-to-bid process. Watching the project is free and may be helpful for keeping track of projects that may become of interest to you later. However, these projects will not be updated regularly (without being tagged) and you may miss important updates. Only a Bid+tag will give you all important updates.

What do I get when I pay for a Bid+ tag?

Let us be your marketing dept! You can efficiently monitor the development of several jobs at once using Bid+ tags and My Workspace. When you find a project that is a good fit for your company or trade, place a Bid+ tag on it. The Bid+ tag will trigger one of our senior researchers to manage the information on the project for you. You will receive an update within 2 business days that will include all of the latest information available on the project. Then, you will receive continual updates (as least monthly) as the project goes through its progressive stages (Pre-Plan to Post Bid) in order to keep you in the know on Architect, Engineer, General Contractor/bidder selections as well as bid dates, bidding instructions and current project status information. You pay once for the tag and we track it through the entire bid process - even if that takes years.  You will also be provided live links to the project plans whenever possible that will save you time and money on your take-offs.

I have the information from my Bid+ tag but there is additional information that would be very helpful, can you help me?

We'll be glad to try. Call us at 800-718-5323 or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and our editor will be glad to assign it to one of our senior researchers – for no additional cost.

How do you define the various project stages?

The BidAlert.com project tracking system is set up to report on a construction project through its normal life-cycle (Pre-Plan to Post Bid). The following is a brief general outline on how each stage is defined:

• Pre-Plan - Sometimes called the “Conceptual Stage”. An owner/developer plans a move, an addition, a renovation or a new development. Concepts, budgets and proposed sites are starting to be addressed. Generally, no engineers or architects have been selected so design work has not begun. Probability of the project actually being built - 30%.
• Planning – Some or all of the initial impediments are out of the way. Engineers, architects and design/build firms are being assembled. Site acquisition and zoning issues are being finalized. Initial site plan is usually underway or has been completed. Preliminary plans have begun. Funding is still pending. While the process is by no means assured; the probability of the project actually being built rises to 40-50%.
• Pre-Bid – Working drawings and bid documents are final or are being finalized pending owner/developer review. General Contractors are being qualified and lined up for negotiations and/or invitations. Preliminary pricing for final funding is usually underway. Bid methods and dates are being finalized. The probability of the project actually being built now rises to better than 75%.
• Bid – Bid methods (Open, Negotiated, Invited, Design/Build, Owner-Bid-Direct), date(s) and all project players are set. Construction estimating departments do the take-offs, prepare and submit the bids through various processes. Other than owner-bid-direct and design/build situations, subcontractors and suppliers generally supply pricing directly to the bidding general contractors through various methods as directed by either the project architect or the developer. The probability of the project actually being built is now 90% or better.
• Post Bid – An apparent low bidder and later the actual low bidder is determined. Days, weeks or sometimes months may go by while negotiations are underway to arrive at a contract acceptable to all parties before a General Contractor is actually awarded the Project. Once that is accomplished, a Project Manager (if not already assigned) is brought onboard. The Project Managers at many General Contracting firms get to “buy out” the job and do not always use the bidding sub/supplier numbers from the original estimate. That is why some projects can remain “Open” long after the actual GC bidding process.

All projects have different gestation periods. Some projects can take but a matter of weeks to go from plan to award while others can take years. Each BidAlert.com member should be aware of how a Project might bid-out and be prepared to contact the appropriate party. Always use the Bid+tag and WatchIt features of the My Workspace section of BidAlert.com. Keep in mind that there are no hard and fast rules to bidding; but straight-up bidding generally does not exist for many subs/suppliers in today’s market. Get to Work!

How can I leverage my BidAlert.com membership?

We all know that subs are generally an impatient lot who want actionable leads that are ready to pop.  The problem with that is - so does everyone else!  Traditional lead sources usually are one or more construction reporting services and "who you know."  Even today, the market is much larger than anyone's ability to keep up with it.  That fact, coupled with limited resources and immediate needs are why most people chase the work that is both more immediate and likely to be more widely known.  In good times, this approach worked quite well.  But, in these times, the new norm, what worked in the past is not working well for many, particularly subs and many suppliers.  Enter BidAlert.com.

BidAlert.com not only has the best private sector research in the business, it is relatively inexpensive, timely, responsive and focused.  But, it comes with one other element that is different than any other service available anywhere...a partnership.  No service can work miracles in an instant but BidAlert.com can fill your pipeline slowly, methodically and, most of all, profitably.  We do that by exposing you to opportunities early in the planning process so you can say "yes, that project is probably of interest to me."  In that case, you "tag" a project for a nominal fee and then the real magic happens.  Immediately, we are notified of your interest in the project and within a few hours a specific researcher is assigned to that project for the duration.  You will know who that researcher is and they become a part of your marketing team.  We follow up on that project throughout its life - you can ask questions of our researcher and we will keep you informed through regularly.  We will help you maximize your bidding efforts with truly superior information that will result in more work at higher profits.  And, isn't that what it's all about? 

Do you have plans and specs?

When you place a Bid+ tag on a project, one of our senior researchers will dig into the project on your behalf. If there are plan and spec links available, we will immediately link them to the project to save you time.

How do I use My Workspace to effectively manage my leads?

When you place a Bid+ tag on a project or click on the WatchIt icon, the project is added to your My Workspace page. From here you can add your own notes and follow up dates. You can also sort by bid status, tagged, watched or follow-up date by clicking on the category header.

You can see more projects at a time by changing the page size in the bottom right. You can also hide and unhide the search criteria by clicking on the icon above the search grid.

As you add projects to your workspace, you may find that it is easier to manage them by using the icon above the search grid.

When you are managing numerous projects, you may find it easier to use the Tagged and Watched projects pages. These pages will allow you to sort by city, state, stage or date updated. You can click the category title to put them in order – you can click it a second time to reverse the order.

I just registered and I don't have an email confirmation from BidAlert.com. What do I do now?

Your confirmation email may have been caught by your spam filter. No problem. Try logging in with the user name and password you set up. If that doesn't work, please give us a call at 800-718-5323. You can also reach us via email – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

How do I add or update my listing in the BidAlert Industry Directory (B.I.D.)?

We have made our B.I.D. open to both members and non-members to help you gain additional exposure. We'll be glad to add your company if you are currently active in the commercial construction industry. You can update your current listing information easily. Just send or request a new listing by sending an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Note: At this time in our ramp-up, preference will be given to those active companies doing business in the Southeastern U.S.

I heard a rumor about a new project that is of interest to me, can you research it for me?

Sure! Generally, all we need is a general project description, a location and/or name as a starting point. Call us at 800-718-5323 or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and our editor will be glad to assign it to one of our senior researchers – for no additional cost.

Why doesn’t BidAlert.com publish public projects?

Public-sector jobs are easily found online and are available for free to everyone on most government websites. BidAlert.com focuses its search efforts on the almost impossible-to-find private-sector jobs. It is these types of projects that, over time, will lead to the most profitable results for its members. Avoid the extremely competitive public-bid game. Let BidAlert.com find your next project!