Vendor/ Supplier Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I already receive bids from this buyer via fax and mail. Why would I want to use this system for my company?

A: There are many potential reasons. One is to never miss a bidding opportunity with your existing customer. Never lose an opportunity by not knowing. Have bids opportunities sent to you via email, allowing you to be away from the workplace and still view and respond in a timely fashion. Secondly, responding to bids with the old-fashioned paper base requires postage, paper, etc. With the click of a button, you will now be able to respond immediately.  You will also have the ability to receive bid opportunities electronically from buyers you have never done business with, so it is a marketing tool.  

Q: My business is small and I only do business within a small geographic area. Why would I join this system?

A: First, remember that you pay no communication fees to do business with one agency. The only fees you may pay would be if the agency asked you to pay a “winning bidder” transaction fee (maximum of 1%). You would just add that fee onto your bid to cover any costs associated with the system in case you were the winning bidder.   Next, you must understand that your clients may save hundreds or thousands of dollars in mailing, printing, copying and handling costs by electronically using our system.  “Business as Usual” is being redefined.

Q: My Company has joined other E-commerce networks in the past. What we found was joining was a waste of our time and money! What makes this system any different?

A: The costs associated with this marketplace make it so all sizes of agencies can utilize this marketplace as a buying tool. NAHRO uses this system as a training tool for its agencies in HUD purchasing guidelines, so it is not a “fly-by-night Marketplace”. This is the way agencies are being taught to purchase in the future. Just as they switched to fax machines for communication 20 years ago, this upgrades the speed, efficiency and outreach of their procurement opportunities by using the internet.

Q: My Company is not very computer literate. Will we have any trouble learning the system?

A: This system was built with the computer novice in mind. If you've ever bought or sold anything on-line: you can use this system. Should you have any questions, our customer support department at 1-866-526-9266. They are available from 8 A.M.EST - 5 P.M. PST to answer any questions you may have.

Q: Our Company has over 100 branch offices throughout the United States. Does your system require each of them to register separately, or should we consolidate the bid requests through our corporate office in Chicago?

A: Our system makes no requirements that each branch sign up individually. That being said, the answer to your question is that it depends on how your company does business. If you employ a national account manager strategy, the consolidation approach may be the best option for you. If, however, each office is responsible for sales in their geography, it makes sense for each office to sign up.

Q: I am a very busy salesperson and I don't have the time to check the NAHRO eProcurement Marketplace site every day and see when a new request pops up that I may want to bid on. I'm afraid I'll miss some business opportunities. How can the system help me?

A: NAHRO has taken care of you in this regard. When you register on the system, one of the questions you are asked is what commodity codes that you want to receive email notification about. Then, depending on the geographic area you choose to serve, every time a Buyer has a request in your bid category, you will receive an email directing you to view the opportunity.

Q: We spend a lot of time, money and effort on marketing our company.  Now, you tell us that any company that signs up, as a supplier in the system will know all the bids we know about. It doesn't sound fair to me.

A: As we all know, price is just one component of the purchase decision. If you are a proven vendor, with a great relationship with your clients, this will just become a communications and marketing tool between your company and agencies who utilize the marketplace. You will have the potential to view bids from other agencies that will provide your company with bidding opportunities.