Will there be a PDF introductory guide that we can post to the vendor community to learn and navigate the system?
Yes, we are working on help documentation specifically for vendors. PDF and/or short videos.
Is it possible to just save a response to a question but not “mark as ready”? Also is there a way to leave comments/track changes for multiple reviewers of a response?
Yes, it is possible to save a draft response to a question without it being marked as ready.
There is not yet a capability for comments/track changes within the Q&A response box (this would be an enhancement); however, multiple editors can update the draft response, if they have the proper permissions to do so.
Can we edit/ update the answers to a question after publishing? Will it generate the summary of changes as well?
You can draft your answers, save them, and then publish once you’re ready. Once published, answers are final.
There is currently no separate summary of changes for the Q&A.
Our IT prefers to evaluate the offers using their own spreadsheets. Can we skip this stage?
Workflows are completely customizable, so you can choose to use or not use the evaluations stage in your project workflows.
Is there a way we can download the responses as a whole? The previous version allowed us to download the offers in one zip file per vendor response.
Yes, we do have the .zip download of the entire vendor response as an enhancement coming in an upcoming release, just like it works in the prior version. In the meantime, you are able to download individual supplier-provided responses individually.
The proposer's files are download-only for evaluators to view? We do not prefer evaluators to download copies of the proposal onto their computers due to security and confidentiality concerns. Is there any way they can view it within the system?
This is a requirement we have in the backlog and do plan to implement.
In the immediate term, an option to ensure the vendor response is only viewed within the system (not downloaded) is to configure the field such that the vendor provides the response directly into a rich text box or smart table (new v3 feature) as opposed to a file upload.
Is there a way to have the evaluator electronically sign their evaluation?
It is possible for evaluators to sign evaluations electronically using a new stage Contract Distribution & Execution with Authorium’s native signature tool. The platform can also integrate with Adobesign and Docusign to route for signatures.
To confirm, there currently is no track changes or comments for reviewers to make on the evaluator's justifications? Will that be something implemented?
This is a requirement we have in the backlog and do plan to implement.
Is there a way we can create a supplier profile using a state email address for testing purposes?
Great question, I would advise against it if you are using SSO specifically, as it will validate the domain against the Group Policy maintained by your network admin. That said, you can however coordinate something with your Network Admin for the group - like Vendor@dept.ca.gov or something to that effect, that you then use within your dept to spoof a vendor.
Can we still assign certain evaluation questions to different sets of evaluators?
We are still porting over the Criteria Assignment Groups feature, so at this time no, but the feature is currently in design with the product team
Will we be able to review draft versions of the evaluator justifications in track changes?
You are able to view in progress evaluation justifications by clicking on "View" for the specific evaluation when you open "View Details." The justifications can still be updated by the evaluator before they click "Complete Response." We currently do not have the ability to use track changes in the evaluator justifications.