Think of our AI tools as a teammate who loves reading bid documents and answering questions fast. This article guides you through the basics, allowing you to try them with confidence. To begin, you’ll need to add your reference files. Good reference files provide the AI with ample material to work with, which makes its answers more precise. To start adding reference files, click your account name in the upper right corner of VendorLine, then click AI Settings:
Browse your computer or drag and drop to upload up to 10 PDFs that show the kind of work you do best (winning proposals, completed projects, detailed capability statements). Handwritten notes are fine in moderation, but crisp text works faster:
Note: Processing typically finishes within 15 minutes, providing ample time to grab a coffee before analyzing bids. You only need to do this once per file.
Once you have uploaded all your reference documents, locate the PlanetBids Network opportunity you are interested in and click on it to open. Then click AI Chat at the bottom of the opportunity:
Click OK to confirm you'd like to spend one of your 100 bid credits. One bid equals one credit, no matter how complex it is or how many questions you ask:
Once you confirm you’d like to spend one of your bid credits, the system will compare the bid requirements with your experience and services:
The initial analysis will display below:
Below the analysis, the panel contains a one-click helper. Click View Stretch Analysis to have the system analyze up to five areas that might be a reach.
In the Ask a question area, ask follow-up questions in plain language while the bid is open. After it closes, you can still revisit the chat to read earlier answers; however, you will no longer be able to add new ones:
What can I ask?
Ask in plain, natural language - treat the AI like a teammate who already understands procurement. You don't need to be an AI expert or a prompt engineer because the system is trained on public procurement specifics and focuses on the bid documents you are viewing.
Here are a few ways to start:
Translate the scope of work to Spanish.
List the insurance requirements.
Give me a checklist of everything I need to submit.
Highlight any mandatory licenses or certifications.
Break down the evaluation criteria in simple terms.
You can come back and ask as many follow-up questions as you’d like until the bid closes. After that, your chat history stays visible, but new questions are paused.
Quick tips
- Keep your reference library fresh with recent wins or when you branch into new services.
- Use Strengths and Stretches first for a fast pulse check.
- No need to become a prospective bidder first - AI Chat works as soon as you open a bid.
- The AI won't predict wins or give pricing advice - it highlights facts so you can decide.
To toggle back to the Bid Info at any time, click Bid Info:
