Computer system and method for facilitating and managing the project bid and requisition process

Abstract

A comprehensive, web-enabled computer system and method is provided for facilitating and managing all aspects of project work, while synchronizing communications, data and transaction processing across multiple user platforms. To implement the computer system and method, a bid item list is utilized to create configurable and scalable customized bid templates premised on the specific type of project work required. Bid requests are generated from the customized bid templates for solicitation of vendor bid responses to the selected bid items provided by the bid template. One or more bid items within the vendor bid responses can be selected for vendor grading purposes, and comparison of the vendor bid responses can be conducted using the graded bid item responses. In addition, project tracking parameters can be entered into the computer system for tracking the performance of the project.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A computer system for facilitating a bid process for a project utilizing a pre-established bid item list comprising a plurality of bid items, comprising: 
 a computer readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored therein; and    a processor connected to said computer readable storage medium to execute said instructions to enable bid item selections to be selectable from the bid item list for subsequent generation of a bid request utilizing at least a portion of said bid item selections.    
     
     
         2 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein said processor is further operable to receive bid request data within fields associated with at least a portion of said bid item selections.  
     
     
         3 . The computer system of  claim 2 , wherein said bid request data includes default data for one or more of said bid item selections, said processor being configured to retrieve said default data and include said default data within said bid request  
     
     
         4 . The computer system of  claim 2 , wherein said processor is further operable to transmit said bid request to a vendor and receive a bid response from said vendor for review by a buyer submitting said bid request.  
     
     
         5 . The computer system of  claim 4 , wherein said bid response includes said bid item selections and bid response data within fields associated with at least a portion of said bid item selections.  
     
     
         6 . The computer system of  claim 5 , wherein said bid response data includes resource requirement information identifying one or more resource profiles and associated resource rates.  
     
     
         7 . The computer system of  claim 6 , wherein said processor is further operable to enable said resource profiles to be selected from hierarchical pre-established lists of resource types and skills to classify said resource profiles in a non-prose fashion.  
     
     
         8 . The computer system of  claim 5 , wherein said bid response data includes costing information identifying costing elements and associated prices for completion of a project associated with said bid request, each of said costing elements being associated with one of said bid item selections.  
     
     
         9 . The computer system of  claim 5 , wherein said bid response data includes deliverables information identifying deliverable types and associated deliverable completion information, each of said deliverable types being associated with one of said bid item selections.  
     
     
         10 . The computer system of  claim 5 , wherein said processor is further operable to transmit said bid response to said buyer upon completion of all required ones of said fields by said vendor.  
     
     
         11 . The computer system of  claim 4 , wherein each of said fields associated with said bid item selections has one of a plurality of data types associated therewith, said bid request data and said bid response data for each of said bid item selections being in the format of said associated data type.  
     
     
         12 . The computer system of  claim 4 , wherein said processor is further operable to enable selection of said vendor to receive said bid request using said bid request data.  
     
     
         13 . The computer system of  claim 4 , wherein said processor is further operable to enable identification of at least one graded bid item from said bid item selections and receive a grade for said bid response related to said at least one graded bid item, said grade being determined based on said bid response data associated with said at least one graded bid item.  
     
     
         14 . The computer system of  claim 13 , wherein said processor is further operable to enable assignment of a weighting percentage to said at least one graded bid item.  
     
     
         15 . The computer system of  claim 14 , wherein said processor is further operable to determine a score associated with said bid response based upon said grade and said weighting percentage, said score being used in awarding of a project associated with said bid request.  
     
     
         16 . The computer system of  claim 13 , wherein said processor is further operable to enable a re-quote request to be transmitted to said vendor for one or more of said graded bid items.  
     
     
         17 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein said processor is further operable to enable selection of a bid template including said bid item selections for use in creating said bid request.  
     
     
         18 . The computer system of  claim 17 , wherein said processor is further operable to allow enablement or disablement of one or more of said bid item selections in said bid template to create said bid request.  
     
     
         19 . The computer system of  claim 18 , wherein one or more of said bid item selections included within said bid template are required bid items, said processor being configured to prevent disablement of said required bid items.  
     
     
         20 . The computer system of  claim 17 , wherein said processor is further operable to enable said bid item selections to be selected from said bid item list in a hierarchical manner to create said bid template.  
     
     
         21 . The computer system of  claim 20 , wherein said processor is further operable to enable said bid request to be generated from said bid template in said hierarchical manner.  
     
     
         22 . The computer system of  claim 21 , wherein said processor is further operable to transmit said bid request to a vendor and enable said vendor to generate a bid response in said hierarchical manner.  
     
     
         23 . The computer system of  claim 17 , wherein said processor is further operable to enable creation of user role positions related to said bid template and assignment of personnel to each of said user role positions to manage workflow associated with bid requests generated from said bid template.  
     
     
         24 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein said processor is further operable to enable creation of user role positions for said project bid process and assignment of personnel to each of said user role positions to manage workflow related to said project bid process.  
     
     
         25 . The computer system of  claim 24 , wherein said processor is further operable to map said user role positions to said bid request to manage workflow associated with said bid request.  
     
     
         26 . The computer system of  claim 24 , wherein said processor is further operable to enable assignment of said personnel to said user role positions using personnel data.  
     
     
         27 . The computer system of  claim 24 , wherein said processor is further operable to enable access rights to be associated with each of said user role positions, said access rights defining the abilitity to view and modify data related to said project bid process.  
     
     
         28 . The computer system of  claim 24 , wherein said processor is further operable to allow a personnel substitution to be made for one or more of said user role positions.  
     
     
         29 . The computer system of  claim 24 , wherein said processor is further operable to enable the creation of administrative processing teams, each of said processing teams including one or more of said user role positions.  
     
     
         30 . The computer system of  claim 29 , wherein each of said processing teams handles a respective one of a plurality of transaction types associated with said project bid process to manage workflow based on said transaction types.  
     
     
         31 . The computer system of  claim 30 , wherein said transaction types comprise approval of said bid request, selection of qualified vendors to receive said bid request and project tracking.  
     
     
         32 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein said processor is further operable to provide a bid message board for posting of vendor questions and buyer answers related to said bid request.  
     
     
         33 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein said processor is further operable to receive project tracking parameters related to an awarded project associated with said bid request and to track the performance of said project using said project tracking parameters.  
     
     
         34 . The computer system of  claim 33 , wherein said processor is further operable to enable submission of resource candidate information associated with contractors for said project and approval of said contractors for said project using said resource candidate information.  
     
     
         35 . The computer system of  claim 33 , wherein said project tracking parameters include purchase requisition information identifying project deliverables and project payment information.  
     
     
         36 . The computer system of  claim 35 , wherein said processor is further operable to receive voucher information for generation of a payment voucher based on said purchase requisition information.  
     
     
         37 . In a computer readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored therein, said computer-executable instructions comprising: 
 means for providing a pre-established bid item list;    means for receiving bid item selections selected from said pre-established bid item list; and    means for communicating said bid item selections for use in a subsequent generation of a bid request utilizing at least a portion of said bid item selections.    
     
     
         38 . The instructions of  claim 37 , further comprising: 
 means for receiving bid request data from a buyer generating said bid request; and    means for storing said bid request data within fields associated with at least a portion of said bid item selections for said bid request.    
     
     
         39 . The instructions of  claim 38 , further comprising: 
 means for transmitting said bid request to a vendor; and    means for enabling a bid response to be generated by said vendor, said bid response including said bid item selections and bid response data within fields associated with at least a portion of said bid item selections.    
     
     
         40 . The instructions of  claim 39 , further comprising: 
 means for enabling selection of said vendor to receive said bid request using said bid request data.    
     
     
         41 . The instructions of  claim 40 , further comprising: 
 means for pre-qualifying said vendor based on vendor qualification data associated with said vendor and vendor criteria information associated with said buyer.    
     
     
         42 . The instructions of  claim 39 , further comprising: 
 means for identifying at least one graded bid item from said bid item selections; and    means for receiving a grade for said bid response related to said at least one graded bid item, said grade being determined based on said bid response data associated with said at least one graded bid item.    
     
     
         43 . The instructions of  claim 42 , further comprising: 
 means for assigning a weighting percentage to said at least one graded bid item; and    means for determining a score associated with said bid response based upon said grade and said weighting percentage, said score being used in awarding of a project associated with said bid request.    
     
     
         44 . The instructions of  claim 37 , further comprising: 
 means for enabling selection of a bid template including said bid item selections, said bid template being used to create said bid request.    
     
     
         45 . The instructions of  claim 44 , further comprising: 
 means for enabling or disabling one or more of said bid item selections in said bid template to create said bid request.    
     
     
         46 . The instructions of  claim 45 , wherein one or more of said bid item selections included within said bid template are required bid items, and further comprising: 
 means for preventing disablement of said required bid items.    
     
     
         47 . The instructions of  claim 44 , wherein said means for receiving said bid item selections further comprises: 
 means for enabling selection of said bid item selections from said bid item list in a hierarchical manner to create said bid template.    
     
     
         48 . A method for facilitating a bid process for a project, comprising: 
 providing a pre-established bid item list;    receiving bid item selections selected from said pre-established list; and    communicating said bid item selections for use in a subsequent generation of a bid request utilizing at least a portion of said bid item selections.    
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising the steps of: 
 receiving bid request data from a buyer generating said bid request; and    storing said bid request data within fields associated with at least a portion of said bid item selections.    
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising the steps of: 
 transmitting said bid request to a vendor; and    enabling a bid response to be generated by said vendor, said bid response including said bid item selections and bid response data within fields associated with at least a portion of said bid item selections.    
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , further comprising the step of: 
 enabling selection of said vendor to receive said bid request using said bid request data.    
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , further comprising the step of: 
 pre-qualifying said vendor based on vendor qualification data associated with said vendor and vendor criteria information associated with said buyer.    
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising the steps of: 
 identifying at least one graded bid item from said bid item selections; and    receiving a grade for said bid response related to said at least one graded bid item, said grade being determined based on said bid response data associated with said at least one graded bid item.    
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , further comprising the steps of: 
 assigning a weighting percentage to said at least one graded bid item; and    determining a score associated with said bid response based upon said grade and said weighting percentage, said score being used in awarding of a project associated with said bid request.    
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising the step of: 
 enabling selection of a bid template including said bid item selections, said bid template being used to create said bid request.    
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55 , further comprising the step of: 
 enabling or disabling one or more of said bid item selections in said bid template to create said bid request.    
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein one or more of said bid item selections included within said bid template are required bid items, and further comprising the step of: 
 preventing disablement of said required bid items.    
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein said step of receiving said bid item selections further comprises the step of: 
 enabling selection of said bid item selections from said bid item list in a hierarchical manner to create said bid template.    
     
     
         59 . A computer system for facilitating a bid process for a project between a buyer and a vendor via a web-based interface, comprising: 
 a database system for maintaining a configurable pre-established bid item list and a bid template for the project including bid item selections selected from said bid item list; and    a server connected to said database system and connectable to the buyer and the vendor via the web-based interface, said server being operable to generate a bid request for a project utilizing said bid template, transmit said bid request to the vendor via the web-based interface and receive a bid response from the vendor via the web-based interface, said bid response including bid response data associated with at least a portion of said bid item selections.    
     
     
         60 . The computer system of  claim 59 , wherein said server is further operable to receive bid request data and store said bid request data within fields associated with at least a portion of said bid item selections.  
     
     
         61 . The computer system of  claim 60 , wherein said bid request data includes default data for one or more of said bid item selections, said server being configured to retrieve said default data and include said default data within said bid request.  
     
     
         62 . The computer system of  claim 60 , wherein said bid response data is included within fields associated with at least a portion of said bid item selections.  
     
     
         63 . The computer system of  claim 62 , wherein said bid response data includes resource requirement information identifying one or more resource profiles and associated resource rates.  
     
     
         64 . The computer system of  claim 63 , wherein said server is further operable to enable said resource profiles to be selected from hierarchical pre-established lists of resource types and skills to classify said resource profiles in a non-prose fashion.  
     
     
         65 . The computer system of  claim 63 , wherein said bid response data includes costing information identifying costing elements and associated prices for completion of a project associated with said bid request, each of said costing elements being associated with one of said bid item selections.  
     
     
         66 . The computer system of  claim 63 , wherein said bid response data includes deliverables information identifying deliverable types and associated deliverable completion information, each of said deliverable types being associated with one of said bid item selections.  
     
     
         67 . The computer system of  claim 62 , wherein said processor is further operable to transmit said bid response to said buyer upon completion of all required ones of said fields by said vendor.  
     
     
         68 . The computer system of  claim 62 , wherein each of said fields associated with said bid item selections has one of a plurality of data types associated therewith, said bid request data and said bid response data for each of said bid item selections being in the format of said associated data type.  
     
     
         69 . The computer system of  claim 62 , wherein said server is further operable to select said vendor to receive said bid request using said bid request data.  
     
     
         70 . The computer system of  claim 69 , wherein said database system further comprises: 
 a first database for maintaining vendor information associated with said vendor, said server being configured to compare said bid request data with said vendor information to select said vendor.    
     
     
         71 . The computer system of  claim 69 , wherein said vendor information identifies at least the goods and services that said vendor provides, said bid request data identifying at least the goods and services that said buyer desires.  
     
     
         72 . The computer system of  69 , wherein said database system further comprises: 
 a second database for maintaining vendor qualification data for a plurality of vendors and vendor criteria information for said buyer, said server being further configured to compare said vendor qualification data for each of said pluarality of vendors with said vendor criteria information to determine qualified ones of said plurality of vendors for said buyer.    
     
     
         73 . The computer system of  claim 72 , wherein said first database further maintains a qualified vendor list, said server being further configured to select said qualified vendor from said qualified vendor list to receive said bid request.  
     
     
         74 . The computer system of  claim 62 , wherein said server is further operable to enable identification of at least one graded bid item from said bid item selections and receive a grade for said bid response related to said at least one graded bid item, said grade being determined based on said bid response data associated with said at least one graded bid item.  
     
     
         75 . The computer system of  claim 74 , wherein said server is further operable to enable assignment of a weighting percentage to said at least one graded bid item and determine a score associated with said bid response based upon said grade and said weighting percentage, said score being used in awarding of said project.  
     
     
         76 . The computer system of  claim 75 , wherein said server is further operable to enable a re-quote request to be transmitted to said vendor for one or more of said graded bid items.  
     
     
         77 . The computer system of  claim 59 , wherein said server is further operable to allow enablement or disablement of one or more of said bid item selections in said bid template to create said bid request.  
     
     
         78 . The computer system of  claim 77 , wherein one or more of said bid item selections included within said bid template are required bid items, said server being configured to prevent disablement of said required bid items.  
     
     
         79 . The computer system of  claim 59 , wherein said database system further maintains a bid template list, said bid template being included within said bid template list, said server being further configured to enable selection of said bid template from said bid template list to create said bid request.  
     
     
         80 . The computer system of  claim 79 , wherein said server is further operable to enable said bid item selections to be selected from said bid item list in a hierarchical manner to create said bid template.  
     
     
         81 . The computer system of  claim 80 , wherein said bid item list is arranged to include one or more bid sections, each of said bid sections including one or more categories and each of said bid categories including one or more bid items.  
     
     
         82 . The computer system of  claim 80 , wherein said server is further operable to enable said bid request to be generated from said bid template in said hierarchical manner.  
     
     
         83 . The computer system of  claim 82 , wherein said server is further operable to enable said vendor to generate said bid response in said hierarchical manner.  
     
     
         84 . The computer system of  claim 59 , wherein said server is further operable to enable creation of user role positions related to said bid template and assignment of personnel to each of said user role positions to manage workflow associated with bid requests generated from said bid template.  
     
     
         85 . The computer system of  claim 59 , wherein said server is further operable to enable creation of user role positions for said project bid process and assignment of personnel to each of said user role positions to manage workflow related to said project bid process.  
     
     
         86 . The computer system of  claim 85 , wherein said server is further operable to map said user role positions to said bid request to manage workflow associated with said bid request.  
     
     
         87 . The computer system of  claim 59 , wherein said processor is further operable to receive project tracking parameters related to an awarded project associated with said bid request and to track the performance of said project using said project tracking parameters.  
     
     
         88 . The computer system of  claim 87 , wherein said server is further operable to enable submission of resource candidate information associated with contractors for said project and approval of said contractors for said project using said resource candidate information.  
     
     
         89 . The computer system of  claim 87 , wherein said project tracking parameters include purchase requisition information identifying project deliverables and project payment information.  
     
     
         90 . The computer system of  claim 89 , wherein said server is further operable to receive voucher information for generation of a payment voucher based on said purchase requisition information.  
     
     
         91 . The computer system of  claim 59 , wherein said server further comprises: 
 a buyer module for interfacing between said database and a buyer web browser for communicating data related to said project bid process to and from a buyer over said data network;    a vendor module for interfacing between said database and a vendor web browser for communicating data related to said project bid process to and from a vendor over said data network;    an adminstrative module for interfacing between said database and an administrative web browser for communicating data related to said project bid process to and from an administrator over said data network; and    a contractor module for interfacing between said database and a contractor web browser for communicating data related to said project bid process to and from a contractor over said data network.    
     
     
         92 . The computer system of  claim 91 , wherein said database system comprises: 
 a first database maintaining said bid item list and said bid template; and    a second database in communication with said first database, said second database maintaining re-deployment data associated with said contractor, said re-deployment data being received at said server, entered into said first database and transferred to said second database.    
     
     
         93 . The computer system of  claim 92 , wherein said server is a bid server, and further comprising: 
 an administrative server connected to said second database and said data network, said administrative server being configured to communicate administrative data related to said project bid process between an administrator and said second database.    
     
     
         94 . The computer system of  claim 93 , wherein said administrative server further comprises: 
 a buyer module for interfacing between said second database and an administrative web browser for communicating said administrative data related to buyers to and from said administrator over said data network;    a vendor module for interfacing between said second database and said adminstrative web browser for communicating said administrative data related to vendors to and from said administrator over said data network; and    a contractor module for interfacing between said second database and said administrative web browser for communicating said administrative data related to contractors to and from said administrator over said data network.    
     
     
         95 . A method for facilitating a project bid process, comprising the steps of: 
 storing bid item selections selected from a configurable pre-established bid item list;    generating a bid request associated with a buyer utilizing at least a portion of said bid item selections; and    transmitting said bid request to at least one vendor for solicitation of a bid response generated with said bid item selections included in said bid request.    
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 95 , wherein said step of generating further comprises the step of: 
 receiving bid request data from said buyer for said bid request; and    storing said bid request data within fields associated with at least a portion of said bid item selections.    
     
     
         97 . The method of  claim 96 , wherein said bid request data includes default data for one or more of said bid item selections, and wherein said step of generating further comprises: 
 retrieving said default data for inclusion of said default data within said bid request.    
     
     
         98 . The method of  claim 96 , further comprising the step of: 
 receiving said bid response from said vendor, said bid response including bid response data within fields associated with at least a portion of said bid item selections.    
     
     
         99 . The method of  claim 98 , wherein said bid response data includes resource requirement information identifying one or more resource profiles and associated resource rates, said step of receiving said bid response further comprising the step of: 
 enabling said resource profiles to be selected from hierarchical pre-established lists of resource types and skills to classify said resource profiles in a non-prose fashion.    
     
     
         100 . The method of  claim 98 , further comprising the step of: 
 transmitting said bid response to said buyer upon completion of all required ones of said fields by said vendor.    
     
     
         101 . The method of  claim 98 , wherein said step of transmitting said bid request further comprises the step of: 
 selecting said at least one vendor to receive said bid request using said bid request data.    
     
     
         102 . The method of  claim 101 , wherein said step of selecting said at least one vendor further comprises the step of: 
 maintaining vendor information associated with said at least one vendor; and    comparing said bid request data with said vendor information to select said at least one vendor.    
     
     
         103 . The method of  claim 102 , wherein said step of selecting said at least one vendor further comprises the steps of: 
 maintaining vendor qualification data for said at least one vendor and vendor criteria information for said buyer;    comparing said vendor qualification data for each of said pluarality of vendors with said vendor criteria information to determine qualified ones of said plurality of vendors for said buyer; and    selecting said at least one vendor to receive said bid request from said qualified vendors.    
     
     
         104 . The method of  claim 98 , further comprising the steps of: 
 identifying at least one graded bid item from said bid item selections; and    receiving a grade for said bid response related to said at least one graded bid item, said grade being determined based on said bid response data associated with said at least one graded bid item.    
     
     
         105 . The method of  claim 104 , further comprising the steps of: 
 assigning a weighting percentage to said at least one graded bid item; and    determining a score associated with said bid response based upon said grade and said weighting percentage, said score being used for awarding of a project associated with said bid request.    
     
     
         106 . The method of  claim 104 , further comprising the step of: 
 transmitting a re-quote request to said at least one vendor for one or more of said graded bid items.    
     
     
         107 . The method of  claim 95 , wherein said step of storing further comprises the step of: 
 storing said bid item selections within a bid template, said bid template being used to create said bid request.    
     
     
         108 . The method of  claim 107 , wherein said step of generating said bid request further comprises the step of: 
 enabling or disabling one or more of said bid item selections in said bid template to create said bid request.    
     
     
         109 . The method of  claim 108 , wherein one or more of said bid item selections included within said bid template are required bid items, said step of generating said bid request further comprising the step of: 
 preventing disablement of said required bid items.    
     
     
         110 . The method of  claim 107 , wherein said step of generating said bid request further comprises the steps of: 
 maintaining a bid template list, said bid template being included within said bid template list; and    selecting said bid template from said bid template list to create said bid request.    
     
     
         111 . The method of  claim 107 , wherein said step of storing said bid item selections further comprises the step of: 
 selecting said bid item selections from said bid item list in a hierarchical manner to create said bid template.    
     
     
         112 . The method of  claim 111 , wherein said step of generating said bid request further comprises the step of: 
 generating said bid request from said bid template in said hierarchical manner.    
     
     
         113 . The method of  claim 112 , further comprising the step of: 
 generating said bid response in said hierarchical manner.    
     
     
         114 . The method of  claim 107 , further comprising the steps of: 
 creating user role positions related to said bid template; and    assigning personnel to each of said user role positions to manage workflow associated with bid requests generated from said bid template.    
     
     
         115 . The method of  claim 95 , further comprising the steps of: 
 receiving project tracking parameters related to an awarded project associated with said bid request, and    tracking the performance of said project using said project tracking parameters.    
     
     
         116 . The method of  claim 116 , wherein said project tracking parameters includes purchase requisition information identifying project deliverables and project payment information, and further comprising the step of: 
 receiving voucher information for generation of a payment voucher based on said purchase requisition information.    
     
     
         117 . A method for facilitating a project bid process, comprising the steps of: 
 receiving a bid response having bid response data therein associated with each of a plurality of bid item selections pre-selected from a pre-established bid item list for inclusion in a subsequent bid request soliciting said bid response;    identifying at least one graded bid item from said bid item selections for grading of said bid response; and    receiving a grade for said bid response related to said at least one graded bid item, said grade being determined based on said bid response data associated with said at least one graded bid item.    
     
     
         118 . The method of  claim 117 , further comprising the steps of: 
 assigning a weighting percentage to said at least one graded bid item; and    determining a score associated with said bid response based upon said grade and said weighting percentage, said score being used for awarding of a project associated with said bid request.    
     
     
         119 . The method of  claim 118 , further comprising the step of: 
 transmitting a re-quote request to said at least one vendor for one or more of said graded bid items.    
     
     
         120 . A method for facilitating a project bid process, comprising the steps of: 
 maintaining a configurable pre-established bid item list and a bid template including bid item selections selected from said bid item list;    generating a bid request for a project utilizing said bid template;    transmitting said bid request to a qualified vendor via a web-based interface based on said bid item selections;    receiving a bid response from said qualified vendor via said web-based interface including bid response data associated with at least a portion of said bid item selections; and    receiving project tracking parameters upon award of the project to track the performance of the project.    
     
     
         121 . The method of  claim 120 , wherein said project tracking parameters include purchase requisition information identifying project deliverables and project payment information.  
     
     
         122 . The method of  claim 121 , further comprising the step of: 
 receiving voucher information for generation of a payment voucher based on said purchase requisition information.    
     
     
         123 . A method for facilitating a project bid process, comprising the steps of: 
 maintaining a configurable pre-established bid item list and a bid template including bid item selections selected from said bid item list;    generating a bid request for a project utilizing said bid template,    transmitting said bid request to a qualified vendor via a web-based interface based on said bid item selections;    receiving a bid response from said qualified vendor via said web-based interface including bid response data associated with each of said bid item selections; and    enabling grading of said bid response using said bid response data associated with at least one graded bid item selected from said bid item selections for awarding of the project.    
     
     
         124 . The method of  claim 123 , wherein said step of enabling further comprises the steps of: 
 assigning a weighting percentage to said at least one graded bid item; and    determining a score associated with said bid response based upon said grade and said weighting percentage, said score being used for awarding of a project associated with said bid request.    
     
     
         125 . The method of  claim 124 , further comprising the step of: 
 transmitting a re-quote request to said vendor for one or more of said graded bid items.    
     
     
         126 . A method for generating a bid response to a bid request, comprising the steps of: 
 receiving said bid request via a web-based interface, said bid request including at least a portion of bid item selections selected from a configurable pre-established bid item list;    entering bid response data into fields associated with at least a portion of said bid item selections included within said bid request to create said bid response; and    transmitting said bid response via said web-based interface.    
     
     
         127 . A method for generating a bid request, comprising the steps of: 
 selecting bid item selections from a configurable pre-established bid item list to create a bid template;    enabling at least a portion of said bid item selections associated with said bid template for said bid request;    entering bid request data into fields associated with at least a portion of said enabled bid item selections to create said bid request; and    transmitting said bid request via a web-based interface for broadcasting of said bid request to qualified vendors.    
     
     
         128 . A database for use in facilitating a bid process for a project, comprising: 
 a bid item table containing pre-established bid items organized in a hierarchical format, each of said bid items being stored in a separate record in said table; and    a bid template table associated with said bid item table, said bid template table containing the identities of selected one of said bid items for a bid template, the identities of each of said selected bid items being stored in a separate record in said bid template table.    
     
     
         129 . The database of  claim 128 , comprising: 
 a bid request table associated with said bid template table, said bid request table containing bid request data associated with at least a portion of said selected bid items for inclusion in a bid request for the project, said bid request table including a separate record for each of said selected bid items having said respective bid request data associated therewith.    
     
     
         130 . The database of  claim 129 , comprising: 
 a bid response table associated with said bid request table, said bid response table containing bid response data associated with at least a portion of said selected bid items included in said bid request, said bid response table including a separate record for each of said selected bid items having said respective bid response data associated therewith.