Course outline
Reading GC replies and bid results
After bid day, GC replies fall into a few types: you're being carried or awarded, that GC lost the project, you lost to another flooring sub, it's still pending, or they need something — updated pricing or documents. Read each reply for what it says about that GC's bid, record the outcome per GC, and check public results when the project is public. A regret letter from one GC doesn't mean you lost the project.
By Michael Reddy, IntelBid
After this lesson you can
- Tell what each kind of GC reply means for your bid
- Find results yourself on public and private projects
- Record outcomes per GC with a reason
What does the reply really mean?
| The reply says | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| “We're carrying your number” | You're on their bid — the GC hasn't necessarily won | Stay available; don't assume award |
| “We were awarded — let's set up a scope review” | A real path to a subcontract | Prepare for the scope review |
| “The project went to another GC” | This GC's bid lost | Close this GC's bid only — did you bid the winner? |
| “We went with another flooring sub” | You lost with this GC | Ask for feedback — see learning from results |
| “Still with the owner” or “on hold” | Pending | Follow up on a schedule |
| “Can you update your pricing?” or a rebid | Your price may be stale | Re-price; it's neither a win nor a loss |
| A question or a request for documents | Activity, not an outcome | Answer it and keep the bid's status |
Where can you find results yourself?
- Public projects: bid openings are generally public, and many agencies post bid tabulations or award notices on their procurement pages. Check the agency's site or attend the opening.
- Bid platforms: projects on PlanHub, BuildingConnected or Procore may show a status change or award.
- The GCs themselves: a short, polite question to the estimator usually gets an answer once the owner decides.
- Local signals: building permits, construction news and project signs often name the GC before anyone emails you.
What should you record?
- The outcome per GC: won, lost, or still undecided.
- Who won, if you know — the GC, and the flooring sub if you lost.
- How close you were, if the GC shares it.
- The reason, using fixed categories so you can compare over time (next lesson).
- The date, so you know how long each GC and owner takes to decide.
How do I find out who won a construction bid?
Ask the GC's estimator, check the bid platform's project status, and on public projects look for the agency's bid tabulation or award notice. Permits and local construction news often name the winner too.
What is a regret letter in construction bidding?
A notice from a GC or owner that your bid wasn't selected. From a GC, it applies to that GC's bid only — you may still be live with other GCs on the same project.
Are public bid results available?
Generally yes. Public bid openings are usually open to the public, and many agencies publish bid tabulations and award notices on their procurement websites.
Key points
- Read each reply for what it says about that GC's bid, not the whole project.
- Public bid results are usually published — go look.
- Record outcome, winner, gap, reason and date for every GC.
Replies sorted for you to confirm
IntelBid reads replies from the GCs you bid and suggests what each one means — won, lost, still pending, or a document or question — for you to confirm. A loss from one GC closes only that GC's bid, and when a reply names the winning GC, you can mark that GC's bid awarded.
Start your free trialEvery trial starts with a sample project loaded, so you can try this before connecting anything.
Get new lessons, plus $100 toward IntelBid
New modules as they're published. Confirm your email and we'll send a $100 credit toward your IntelBid membership.
About the author. Michael Reddy builds IntelBid, bid management software for commercial flooring subcontractors. These lessons come from the bid desk: how the work is priced, won and paid for.