Welcome to the new RFP Manager in the Transfix Shipper App! We'll be walking you through the quick and easy process from start to finish, but if you'd like to skip around just click on a topic below.
Before we go any further, do you have your lanes and carriers set up in the Shipper App? You'll need that information in order to create your RFP; here's how to add them.
Ready? Let's get started!
Create Your RFP
STEP 1:
Navigate to Procurement Solutions on the left side of your screen, select RFP Manager and click Create RFP in the upper right corner.
There are 6 checkpoints when creating a new RFP:
RFP Overview: name your RFP, determine the start/end dates of your rates and select a rate type.
RFP Instructions: Provide any instructions or documents that you’d like to share with the carriers you invite to place bids.
Add Lanes: select as many of your existing lanes as you’d like. You have the option of advising your carriers what the estimated volume of shipments will be for each lane.
Add Carriers: select from your existing carrier network. Tender acceptance, removal rates and on-time pickup/delivery numbers will be provided as reference.
Select a Bidding Window: choose when your carriers will be able to place their bids. They’ll receive notice of the upcoming RFP via email, as well as a reminder that the bidding is about to start.
Preview and Publish Your RFP: double-check and make any last-minute changes as needed, then activate your new RFP. The status will update to Published:
Review Your Bids
STEP 2:
Once the RFP status updates to Bidding Open, your bids will begin to populate in the Shipper App as soon as your carriers submit them.
STEP 3:
Click on the RFP, select the RFP Bid Table tab and scroll to the right to view them.
We'll calculate the average bid amount as well as the % change from your carriers' previous contracted rates, if available. The lowest bid on the lane will be highlighted in yellow. Sort your lanes by clicking the arrow in each column.
STEP 4:
Once the status has changed to Bidding Closed, open your RFP back to the RFP Bid Table tab and scroll to the right to make your selections.
If you'd like to invite your carriers to bid again, select Reopen Bidding in the upper right dropdown menu.
Select the carriers you'd like to invite. Update your Bid Settings if you'd like to share the lowest bid from the previous round with your carriers, then select a new Bidding End Date and Time.
Once you've received your new bids, scroll to the right of the RFP Bid Table tab to view and compare.
Award Your Lanes
STEP 5:
When bidding is closed and you're ready to make your selections, click on a bid to open a new window with the lane details and click Award in the lower right corner.
That lane now has the winning bids highlighted in blue.
Cancel the award by clicking on the bid again and clicking Retract Award (the carrier won't know, and you'll still have time to change your mind before finalizing your RFP).
Complete Your RFP
STEP 6:
Move over to the Awards tab and select a lane to view your awarded carriers and their new rates. A comparison to their previous contracted rates and their performance metrics will also be displayed.
Click on the trash icon to cancel the award, then go back to the RFP Bid Table to award the lane to another carrier if necessary.
STEP 7:
Click Complete RFP in the upper right corner when you’ve made your final decisions. You'll be advised if your new contracted rates conflict with an existing rate, and your new RFP will override that rate when completed. If a new rate overlaps multiple existing rates, you'll be asked to archive it on your Lanes page.
Your RFP is now complete!
View Your New Routing Guide
Your routing guide will automatically update once you complete your RFP. Your newly-awarded carriers will be assigned to their corresponding lanes and any contracted rates that were replaced will now be listed under Deactivated Contracts at the bottom of your screen.
If your contract dates are in the future, toggle the Upcoming Contracts Displayed switch to view them.
Nice work! You just increased your efficiency by creating an RFP in the Shipper App. If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to shipper-support@transfix.io and we'll be happy to assist right away.