---
description: Review of PlanetBids Software: system overview, features, price and cost information. Get free demos and compare to similar programs.
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title: PlanetBids | Reviews, Pricing & Demos - SoftwareAdvice GB
---

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# PlanetBids

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> Co-founded in 2000 by husband and wife Alan and Arpie Zavian, PlanetBids, Inc. is a software development company with a mission to provide web-based procurement solutions to help procurement professionals in the public, private, education and non-profit sectors streamline entire processes and connect with their suppliers more efficiently and cost effectively.  

Hailing from the ranks of the procurement profession, PlanetBids' team of professionals brings decades of expertise in eProcurement and delivers the highest level of customer support to clients and their vendors before, during, and after implementation. All our staff are U.S.-based to assist clients nationwide.  

PlanetBids serves a variety of agencies, transportation, ports, water districts, cities, counties, airports, universities, K-12, ports, construction contractors and countless other categories. 

Our clients can share information and collaborate within the system, saving procurement staff time and money.

The PB System™ consists of 8 modules that streamline procurement processes and keep agencies compliant and up to date in task management.

Information is easily uploaded to and downloaded from the PB System™ by licensed account holders. 

The Vendor Management Module is extremely powerful and intuitive for all Agency and Vendor Users. The vendor online registration form is configured during the implementation process to ensure that all pertinent and mandatory vendor-related questions are included.  

The Bid Management Module also is extremely powerful, intuitive, and configurable to allow the Agency User to create, manage and award bids online. Working with Vendor Management, the two modules give Agency Users control over:
•	Bid document management and distribution
•	E-commerce enabled for online purchase of documents
•	Prospective bidders list (i.e., plan holders list)
•	Automatic addendum notification and acknowledgments
•	Custom email messaging
•	RSVP pre-bid meeting management
•	Online Q\&A management
•	Complex and secure eBidding
•	eBonds 
•	Split and lump sum awards
•	Robust reporting, summaries/totals, analysis, charts, audit trails
•	Bid specification library
•	Bid Calendar

The PB System™ Evaluation module optional feature allows an Agency to create and manage the entire evaluation process online in an interactive manner, thereby replacing the in-person evaluations that take place in meeting rooms. The Agency can assign an unlimited number of evaluators to the project and control what information is released to them. Evaluators do not need a license and can be employees of the Agency. 

The Insurance Certificate Management with My Insurance enables risk managers, procurement, public works, and contract administrators to maintain, ensure and retrieve up-to-date, relevant information regarding vendors' or contractors' insurance certificates, including Producers/Brokers contact information and Insurer’s ratings.

The Contract Management suite can be set up to function independently or seamlessly paired with the  Vendor and Bid Management and Insurance Certificate Management modules. The result is that information does not have to be re-entered as the bid moves through the various processes. Procurement teams can retrieve up-to-date information regarding contracts, significantly reducing the time it takes to search through endless contracts.

Emergency Operations enables Agency users to find emergency suppliers/service providers registered directly with the Agency or with any/all PlanetBids agencies in collaboration mode.

The Business Certification module can be deployed to manage diversity certifications (ex: SBE), collect Agency documents (ex: W-9), and multiple pre-qualifications for construction.  The process enables vendors to complete and submit the Agency configured form(s).

Automation is a key convenience offered by PB System™. The Contract and Insurance Modules can be set up to send out expiration notices; DocuSign is an integrated component.
> 
> Verdict: Rated **4.5/5** by 20 users. Top-rated for **Likelihood to recommend**.

-----

## Quick Stats & Ratings

| Metric | Rating | Detail |
| **Overall** | **4.5/5** | 20 Reviews |
| Ease of Use | 4.3/5 | Based on overall reviews |
| Customer Support | 4.7/5 | Based on overall reviews |
| Value for Money | 4.3/5 | Based on overall reviews |
| Features | 4.3/5 | Based on overall reviews |
| Recommendation percentage | 90% | (9/10 Likelihood to recommend) |

## About the vendor

- **Company**: PlanetBids

## Commercial Context

- **Target Audience**: Self Employed, 2–10, 11–50, 51–200, 201–500, 501–1,000, 1,001–5,000, 5,001–10,000, 10,000+
- **Deployment & Platforms**: Cloud, SaaS, Web-based, Mac (Desktop), Windows (Desktop)
- **Supported Languages**: English
- **Available Countries**: United States

## Features

- Access Controls/Permissions
- Activity Dashboard
- Alerts/Notifications
- Approval Process Control
- Audit Trail
- Bid Management
- Collaboration Tools
- Compliance Management
- Contact Management
- Content Library
- Contract/License Management
- Contractor Database
- Customisable Reports
- Customisable Templates
- Data Import/Export
- Document Management
- Document Review
- Document Storage
- Document Templates
- Due Date Tracking

## Support Options

- Email/Help Desk
- FAQs/Forum
- Knowledge Base
- Phone Support

## Category

- [Purchasing Software](https://www.softwareadvice.co.uk/directory/528/purchase-order/software)

## Related Categories

- [Purchasing Software](https://www.softwareadvice.co.uk/directory/528/purchase-order/software)
- [RFP Software](https://www.softwareadvice.co.uk/directory/4510/rfp/software)
- [Construction Bid Management Software](https://www.softwareadvice.co.uk/directory/46/bid-management-systems/software)
- [Procurement Software](https://www.softwareadvice.co.uk/directory/249/procurement-software/software)
- [Insurance Software](https://www.softwareadvice.co.uk/directory/4506/insurance/software)

## Alternatives

1. [Field Materials AI](https://www.softwareadvice.co.uk/software/433001/field-materials) — 4.7/5 (29 reviews)
2. [wherex](https://www.softwareadvice.co.uk/software/451197/wherex) — 4.1/5 (58 reviews)
3. [Inhubber](https://www.softwareadvice.co.uk/software/315748/inhubber) — 5.0/5 (85 reviews)
4. [NetSuite](https://www.softwareadvice.co.uk/software/25483/netsuite-wholesale-distribution-edition) — 4.2/5 (2003 reviews)
5. [Precoro](https://www.softwareadvice.co.uk/software/238057/precoro) — 4.8/5 (254 reviews)

## Reviews

### "Simple, Effective Bidding Tool for Municipalities" — 4.0/5

> **Verified Reviewer** | *13 August 2024* | Government Administration | Recommendation rating: 7.0/10
> 
> **Pros**: Entirely web-based interface that is easy to use without needing significant training
> 
> **Cons**: Lack of customisation options for landing pages, bid structure, etc.
> 
> Functional and easy to use but lacks functions that advanced users may be looking for

-----

### "Director of Contracts and Purchasing" — 5.0/5

> **Neil** | *13 August 2024* | Education Management | Recommendation rating: 10.0/10
> 
> **Pros**: Ease of Use. Vendor Outreach. Comprehensive Program.
> 
> **Cons**: No cons that I have experienced. Any recommended improvements, PlanetBids has been receptive in considering them.
> 
> I've used PlanetBids for about seven years. I used another program in between those years and found PlanetBids to provide the best value.

-----

### "Review Request" — 1.0/5

> **Dianne** | *13 August 2024* | Government Administration | Recommendation rating: 0.0/10
> 
> **Pros**: Outreach to vendors is the only thing I can think of.
> 
> **Cons**: No Flexibility without exorbitant price increases.

-----

### "Purchasing Manager" — 5.0/5

> **Jizelle** | *8 August 2024* | Government Administration | Recommendation rating: 10.0/10
> 
> **Pros**: Easy to use for the most part. User friendly.
> 
> **Cons**: There are a few areas that require too many steps.
> 
> Great. Some changes can be made. It would be nice to see all the City bids not just the ones I post. I have to make that change everytime I log in. It would be nice if all bids were automatically sent to trade journals. It would be nice if all bids categories were set.

-----

### "Supplier Divresity" — 5.0/5

> **Augusta** | *26 July 2024* | Construction | Recommendation rating: 10.0/10
> 
> **Pros**: Ease of access and reliable customer service
> 
> **Cons**: Vendors are not able to save incomplete application in planetbids.
> 
> My experience has always been good because of their customer service.

-----

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## Links

- [View on SoftwareAdvice](https://www.softwareadvice.co.uk/software/224191/planetbids)

## This page is available in the following languages

| Locale | URL |
| en | <https://www.softwareadvice.com/rfp/planetbids-profile/> |
| en-AU | <https://www.softwareadvice.com.au/software/224191/planetbids> |
| en-GB | <https://www.softwareadvice.co.uk/software/224191/planetbids> |
| en-IE | <https://www.softwareadvice.ie/software/224191/planetbids> |
| en-NZ | <https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/software/224191/planetbids> |

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All our staff are U.S.-based to assist clients nationwide.  \n\nPlanetBids serves a variety of agencies, transportation, ports, water districts, cities, counties, airports, universities, K-12, ports, construction contractors and countless other categories. \n\nOur clients can share information and collaborate within the system, saving procurement staff time and money.\n\nThe PB System™ consists of 8 modules that streamline procurement processes and keep agencies compliant and up to date in task management.\n\nInformation is easily uploaded to and downloaded from the PB System™ by licensed account holders. \n\nThe Vendor Management Module is extremely powerful and intuitive for all Agency and Vendor Users. 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