A State Department of Corrections in the Southeastern US partnered with eBridge to run an annual propane bid for 8 of their facilities. Fuel bids shouldn’t be run on a fixed price quote because of large weekly fluctuations in petroleum costs. The bid required the 5 suppliers to compete by lowering their mark-up to the weekly oil price index for liquid petroleum. The 48 minute reverse auction allowed 5 suppliers to aggressively compete, resulting in 76 first-place turnovers. There were twelve separate lots and the spread between 1st & 2nd place did not exceed .18% on any of the lots. Despite increases in delivery costs since the last time the bid was run, the agency will realize a 4% decrease in propane costs relative to the old contract.
Reverse Auction Strategies
Reverse Auction Fuels Savings on Propane Contract
Reverse Auction Saves KY Agency 15% on Their Chemical Purchases
Having consecutively run their last 5 chemical bids through eBridge’s reverse auction and achieving an estimated overall savings of $175,376, running the 6th consecutive chemical bid was a no-brainer for this KY Agency. This bid had 3 approved suppliers competing for the agency’s annual contract for Ferric Sulfate purchases. During the 36 minute bid, 56 bids were placed with 20 first-place turnovers. The expected savings is $36,000 or 15%. This shows with even just a few competitive suppliers, the reverse auction can still provide significant savings.
eBridge Runs Large Water Treatment Chemical Bid in South Carolina
One of the largest water & sewer agencies in South Carolina teamed with eBridge to run their annual chemical bid. There were 19 chemicals included in the bid and twenty participating suppliers. Overall, the budget for chemicals annually is over $3 million and the agency realized savings on their largest spend categories. For instance, Aluminum Sulfate accounts for more than half the budget and the agency shaved $70,000 off their annual cost for that chemical. Fuel prices have been driving up chemical prices because delivery costs are increasing. This agency was able to take positive steps to control their costs.
Reverse Auction Saves Local KY Water District over $300k on Annual Purchase of Water Treatment Chemicals
Since 2009, this local KY Agency has run 5 chemical bids through eBridge’s reverse auction process. Their latest running this week resulted in an estimated savings of $310,800 or 24%. 16 suppliers placed 592 bids (between 8 chemicals) resulting in 179 first-place turnovers. The lowest spread between 1st and 2nd place was 0.06%. Chemicals are just one of many purchases that continue to produce significant savings through the reverse auction process. With such a large supplier base, regardless of the chemical, eBridge always seems to get a great response for participation.
CA University Will Sleep Better After Saving 12.5% on Their Dorm Room Furniture Through eBridge’s Reverse Auction Process
After learning of the great success several other local universities were having with reverse auction bidding, this CA University decided it was their turn! They partnered with eBridge to run a reverse auction for their purchase of dorm room furniture. For the live competitive auction, suppliers were required to bid a lump sum total for the entire scope of service (included: purchase of furniture, delivery and handling, installation as well as removal and relocation of existing furniture). Immediately following the live auction, suppliers had 3 hours to electronically submit their unit pricing, giving a complete breakdown of the final lump sum bid placed during the live auction. During the 25 minute auction, 4 suppliers placed 41 bids resulting in 5 first-place turnovers. The spread between 1st and 2nd place was 0.32% with an estimated savings of $19,800 or 12.5%.
eBridge’s Reverse Auction Produces Savings on Kentucky and Indiana Annual Road Salt Purchases
eBridge has run many successful reverse auctions for several government agencies in Indiana and Kentucky. Achieving significant savings on their past 3 road salt bids, last week a KY Agency again partnered with eBridge for their 4th consecutive road salt reverse auction. During this 15 minute auction, 5 suppliers placed 84 bids resulting in 4 first-place turnovers. The spread between 1st and 2nd place was 0.13%. Also, this week an IN Government Agency partnered with eBridge on their 5th consecutive road salt reverse auction. 4 suppliers placed 65 bids resulting in 8 first-place turnovers during this 15 minute auction. The spread between 1st and 2nd place was 0.1%. Based on the spreads between 1st and 2nd place, both agencies can be assured they have achieved true market value, as well as, proving that road salt bids are perfect candidates for the reverse auction.
eBridge’s Reverse Auction Helps Department of Corrections Keep Price Increases Down on Their Fresh Meat Purchases
Due to rising fuel costs, the Buyer expected an increase in their quarterly purchase price. They partnered with eBridge to run the bid through the reverse auction process with a goal of keeping the increase to a minimum. The Buyer’s goal was reached and the bid was a success. eBridge sourced 28 suppliers and 8 were approved to participate. The 8 suppliers competed for an hour and 11 minutes, placing 231 bids which resulted in 151 first-place turnovers. Achieving true market value, the spread between 1st and 2nd place was 0.13%. The Buyer was very pleased with the bid results and the bid has already gone to awarded.
Reverse Auction Saves CA University 35% on Portable Restroom Rentals and Related Services
Although eBridge’s preference is to source 5 suppliers per bid, this bid proves that it only takes 2 aggressive suppliers competing to achieve true-market value to get great results. eBridge sourced and invited 27 suppliers to participate in this event but because several of them could only supply part of the required services, only 2 were approved for participation. However, during the 23 minute reverse auction, these 2 suppliers placed 142 bids resulting in 38 first-place turnovers. The spread between 1st and 2nd place was 0.57%. If awarded to the lowest bidder, the University will save at least $83,809 or 35% on the 5-year service Agreement.
Hard Work and the Reverse Auction Process, Saves a Local Hospital $51k On Scope Camera Instrument Repair
This bid has been in the making for just under a year. After many conference calls between eBridge and the Buyer, to get a complete understanding of and determine the best way to achieve what the Buyer was looking for, we finally reached the bid date 10 months after discussions began. All of the hard work and attention to detail was the perfect set-up for a great bid! 7 of the 15 sourced suppliers participated in the 47 minute reverse auction, placing 145 bids with 18 first-place turnovers. The spread between 1st and 2nd place was 0.14%. The anticipated annual savings to the Hospital is $51,212 or 30%.
CA University’s World Brightens Up After Saving $40,000 Through eBridge’s Reverse Auction on Specialty Parking Garage Lighting
The University Facilities Department identified a specific lighting fixture for use in its garage structure. The bid required a specific luminaire from a specific manufacturer, which can be challenging when sourcing for reverse auction. However, since there are multiple suppliers of this particular manufacturer’s brand, eBridge was able to source and invite 55 suppliers to participate. Of the 6 suppliers that did respond to the bid, 5 participated in the live event. During the 35 minute event, 60 bids were placed resulting in 24 first-place turnovers. The final spread between 1st and 2nd place was 0.13% ($1.00 price difference per unit). Based on an average estimated retail price for this particular luminaire, this University will save $40,000 on their purchase.