CMS Releases the DBidS User Guide and Webcast FAQs

DBidS User Guide

In preparation for the opening of the bid window for the Round 2021 Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a guide that provides step-by-step instructions for submitting a bid(s) in the DMEPOS Bidding System, DBidS. The DBidS User Guide is now available on the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) website. As a reminder, the bid window opens next week on July 16, 2019.

DBidS registration is currently open and will close on Friday, August 16, 2019. To submit your bid in DBidS, you must first log into the CMS Enterprise Portal with your user ID and password and request access to add DBidS. Registration instructions, including the Registration Reference Guide for DBidS and Connexion, are on the CBIC website. Also, ensure your email address in your CMS Enterprise Portal account is correct and remains active throughout bidding and bid evaluation as critical information will be communicated to you using this email address.

Note: All required documents must be uploaded in Connexion, the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program’s secure portal, by the close of the bid window. Please ensure your documents are not password protected before uploading in Connexion.

Webcast FAQs

CMS has also released responses to frequently asked questions (FAQs) from the first three webcasts. The FAQs address webcast topics including lead item pricing, bid surety bonds, required financial documents, and bidder registration. Please visit the Education Events page to view the webcast FAQs and access the first three webcasts on demand. If you have not already done so, we encourage you to register for the final webcast, Registering and Submitting a Bid – Part 2, where we will explain how to submit a bid in DBidS and upload documents in Connexion.

The CBIC is the official information source for bidders and bidder education. CMS cautions bidders about potential inaccurate information concerning the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program posted on websites other than the CBIC website. Bidders that rely on this information in the preparation or submission of their bids could be at risk of submitting a non-compliant bid. Visit the CBIC website for valuable resources and tools and to subscribe to Email Updates.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please call the CBIC customer service center at 877-577-5331. During the registration and bid windows, the customer service center will be open between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. prevailing Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. Hours are extended to 9 p.m. prevailing Eastern Time during the last two weeks of the registration and bid windows.