Understanding Uber Freight Exchange: A Game-Changing Tool for Managing RFPs and Mini Bids

Uber Freight Exchange Contract brings simplicity and efficiency to the complex world of freight bidding and carrier management. This innovative tool streamlines the entire RFP (Request for Proposal) and mini bid process, making it easier than ever for shippers to connect with carriers and manage their freight operations.

At its core, Uber Freight Exchange Contract is designed to simplify the traditionally complex process of running RFP and mini bid events. The platform offers a straightforward, user-friendly interface that allows shippers to create and manage bid events with just a few clicks.

Setting Up Your First Bid Event: Simple Steps to Define Dates and Upload Lanes

Creating a bid event starts with setting clear timelines. The process begins by clicking the 'Create bid event' button, which opens up a simple workflow for defining your event parameters. You'll need to specify four key dates:

First, set your bidding window by selecting the start date and end date. This determines when carriers can submit their bids. Following that, establish your rate effective period by choosing when rates will begin and when they'll expire. For instance, you might set up a bidding window from October 27th to October 28th, with rates becoming effective from November 1st through December 31st.

Once your timeline is set, the next step is adding your lanes. The platform offers a convenient drag-and-drop function for uploading lane files. Simply drag your lanes.csv file into the designated upload area, and the system will process your lanes automatically. This feature eliminates the tedious manual entry of lane information, saving valuable time and reducing the risk of errors.

Streamlining Carrier Selection: How to Invite and Manage Multiple Carriers in One Place

After setting up your lanes, inviting carriers to participate in your bid event is straightforward. Navigate to the 'Invite carriers' tab, where you'll find a list of available carriers in your system. Select the carriers you want to participate by checking the boxes next to their names. You can invite multiple carriers simultaneously, making the process efficient and scalable.

The platform maintains transparency throughout the process. Once carriers are invited, you can track their engagement in real-time. You'll see exactly when carriers view the bid event, when they accept the invite, and when they submit their rates. This visibility helps you stay on top of the bidding process and follow up with carriers as needed.

From Bid to Award: Managing Rate Submissions and Assigning Capacity

When carriers receive their bid invites, they can easily access and respond to your request. They have the flexibility to input rates directly into the tool or download the bid file, work in Excel, and upload their completed rates. This versatility ensures carriers can work in the way that best suits their operations.

As a shipper, you'll see all carrier submissions in one centralized location. The lane details view presents all carrier rates side by side, making it simple to compare offers. You can enter counter offers to negotiate rates on specific lanes and specify the capacity you want to assign to each carrier.

The assignment process is equally streamlined. With a single click, you can send assignments to carriers. They'll receive notification of the award, including any counter offers and capacity assignments. Carriers can then review and accept the assignments, completing the bid cycle.

Taking Your Freight Operations Further: Seamless TMS Integration and Next Steps

For shippers using UF TMS (Transportation Management System), the platform offers seamless integration capabilities. Once your bid event is complete and assignments are finalized, you can export the results directly to your TMS. This integration automatically updates your shipment routing guide and rate maintenance spot, ensuring all your systems remain synchronized.

The ability to export bid results directly to your TMS eliminates manual data entry and reduces the risk of errors. This automation ensures your new rates and carrier assignments are immediately reflected in your operational systems, allowing you to maintain efficiency and accuracy in your freight operations.