BXWA Help

More information:
On-line Plan Center for BXWA Members

The On-line Plan Center is for BXWA members only. You will need an authorized user-name and password for entry. For membership benefits and information, contact the Builders Exchange of Washington...phone: (425) 258-1303...or send an email.

More information: Project Page

A quick scan of the relevant areas of the Project Page will tell you if you want to investigate further:

1.		First, look at the Project title, location and the bid date.
2.		If the project appears to have potential, then read the project description. BXWA members will be able to see a summary of trades (CSI Divisions) that are included in the project.
3.		If, after this quick overview, you are still interested, then view the Plans and Specs. Note that you must install the free Fastbid Reader before you can view the Plans and Specs.

More information: Plans and Specs

To view the project Plans or Specs, select the appropriate link.

Note that you must install the free Fastbid Reader before you can view the Plans and Specs.

On many projects, you will find links to other documents that are included with the project package. Of particular importance are the links to addenda if any have been issued.

You may also see links to a diverse range of other documents such as special bid instructions, take-off and submittal forms, RFI responses, pre-bid meeting notes, etc... The number and type of documents posted are the prerogative of the issuing agency.

More information:
Self-registered Bidders & Plan Holders listings

These listings show the firms that may be bidding the project. Subcontractors and suppliers may find the General Contractors who are looking for sub-bids. General Contractors can find subcontractors and suppliers who are planning to bid.

Typically, a project will have either a Self-registered bidder listing or a Paper Planholders listing...occasionally on Public Works projects, you will find both.

If you cannot find a Self-registered Bidder listing, try again later...potential bidders may wait until the last day to register. Most General Contractors' On-line Plan Rooms intentionally exclude the listings.

Here are the differences between the two listings:

Self-registered bidders list		The self-registered bidders list includes those firms that have indicated their intent to bid by using the Register on this project link. Whenever Builders Exchange of Washington is specified in the Notice to Bidders as the source of documents, then the Self-registered Bidders list should be available for viewing.
Planholders list		The Planholders list is maintained by the official issuer of the bid documents as specified in the Notice to Bidders (this is typically a design firm or a reprographics firm). Note: to be placed on the Planholders list, procure a bid set from the official source of documents. If Builders Exchange of Washington is specified as the sole location for documents, then there will be no Planholders list, only the Self-registered Bidders list.

Some General Contractors who plan to bid the project may not be found on either the Plan Holders list or the Self-registered Bidders list. These General Contractors purposely hide their bidding intentions and typically choose to solicite sub-bids by invitation or by posting projects in their own, password protected Plan Rooms. Subcontractors and suppliers may be able to find these bidders by visiting Posted Projects General Contractor Project Areas.

If you wish to bid a project inside a General Contractor's Plan Room, be sure to Register your intent to bid...while the Self-registered Bidders list may not be displayed, your registration information will be available and viewable by the GC's Plan Room administrator.

More information: Registering on a Project

Registration ensures that you will be notified whenever new documents...such as addenda...are posted to the Project site.

If you wish, you may indicate your intent to bid the project so that your firm's information will be published in the Self-registered Bidders listing. This listing displays your contact information for those who are soliciting or submitting bids.

For more help:

1.		Register for Notification
2.		Register Intent to Bid

Viewing Project Information