Downtobid

AI bid packages and ITBs for commercial contractors

Beginner
Screenshot of Downtobid, AI bid packages and ITBs for commercial contractors

What is Downtobid?

Downtobid is AI bidding software for commercial construction. GCs upload a plan set, let AI detect trade packages and draft scope notes, then send personalised invitations from their own email. Subcontractors get a Bid Board for invites, deadlines and RFIs, plus free planroom access.

Downtobid is bidding software for commercial construction, built around two audiences that trade invitations all day: general contractors assembling bid packages, and subcontractors deciding which invitations deserve an estimator's time. The pitch is narrower than a full project management suite, and deliberately so. It targets the invitation to bid, the coverage list, and the deadline, rather than the whole build. For GCs, the workflow starts with a PDF plan set. The AI reads the sheets, identifies trade scopes, groups them into packages, and drafts initial scope notes. A human reviews and edits before anything leaves the building. Invitations are then sent from the GC's own email domain with the sub's specific scope summary, relevant sheets, and company branding attached, rather than as a generic blast routed through a portal. A coverage view tracks who has opened, who is bidding, and who needs a nudge. Existing subcontractor lists can be imported by CSV, matched against Downtobid's database, enriched where details are missing, and de-duplicated. On the subcontractor side, the Bid Board puts invitations, due dates, and RFIs in one place with a calendar view. Estimating teams can assign work to individuals so two people do not price the same job. A contractor search lets subs find commercial GCs that buy their trade. The company reports that planroom access and bid submission are free for subs, with Bid Board as the paid upgrade. The homepage positions Downtobid as an alternative to BuildingConnected, iSqFt, PlanHub, SmartBid, BidMail, Pantera Tools and Procore, and publishes head to head comparisons against each. Teams already deep in a full construction management platform may find this a bidding specialist rather than a replacement; the case for switching rests on package setup speed, invitations that arrive from a known address, and per user pricing instead of revenue percentage.

How do you use Downtobid?

  1. 1Start a free trial account
    Sign up from the free trial page to create the organisation account. GC and subcontractor roles see different starting screens, so confirm the right one for your trade.
    Downtobid — Start a free trial account
  2. 2Upload a plan set for AI package detection
    In the ITB tool, upload the PDF plan set. The AI reads each sheet, groups trade packages, and drafts scope notes for your review.
    Downtobid — Upload a plan set for AI package detection
  3. 3Review scopes and send personalised ITBs
    Edit the generated scopes, then issue invitations from your own email domain with the relevant sheets and scope summary attached to each trade.
  4. 4Import your subcontractor list
    Bring an existing sub list in as a CSV. Downtobid matches it to its database, fills in missing details, and flags duplicate contacts.
  5. 5Track coverage and follow up
    Use the coverage view to see who has opened the invite, who is preparing a bid, and who needs a nudge before the deadline.
    Downtobid — Track coverage and follow up
  6. 6Subs: manage invites on the Bid Board
    As a subcontractor, track invitations, deadlines, and RFIs in one board, assign estimators, and avoid two people pricing the same job.
    Downtobid — Subs: manage invites on the Bid Board

Pros and cons

Pros

  • AI package detection turns a PDF plan set into trade scopes and draft notes, with a human review step before anything is sentAI
  • Invitations go out from the GC's own email domain with per-trade scope detail, not as a generic portal blastAI
  • Real time coverage tracking shows which subs have opened, which are bidding, and which need a follow upAI
  • Subcontractors can submit bids and use planrooms free, with Bid Board as a paid upgrade for deadline and assignment trackingAI
  • CSV import matches an existing sub list against the Downtobid database, fills gaps and flags duplicatesAI

Cons

  • The product concentrates on bid invitations and coverage, so estimating, takeoff and project management after award sit outside its scopeAI
  • Subcontractor value depends on GC adoption: a sub board is only useful if the GCs sending invites are on the platformAI
  • Supplier profiles are matched automatically against Downtobid's database, and the homepage gives no detail on how accuracy is verifiedAI
  • Only CSV is named for list migration, with no word on native connections to other construction platformsAI
  • Pricing is quoted per organisation or user tier without a published breakdown of what each tier includesAI

How much does Downtobid cost?

Free trial

A free trial signup page is published on the site. The homepage does not state the trial length or whether a card is required.

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Pricing

Per the homepage FAQ, Downtobid starts at $149 per month for a GC organisation. For subcontractors, the basic leads bid board starts at $119 per month and full bid management starts at $299 per month. Planroom access and bid submission are free for subs.

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Support

Support is offered by email at hello@downtobid.com. The homepage does not describe phone support, an in app help centre, or response time commitments.

Integrations

The homepage only names CSV upload for subcontractor list imports. No native integrations with other construction platforms are described.

Features

AI package detection reads uploaded plan sheets, identifies trade scopes, and drafts scope notes for review. GCs send personalised ITBs from their own email domain and track coverage in real time. Subcontractors manage invites, deadlines, and RFIs on a Bid Board with estimator assignment, and can search for commercial GCs. Sub lists import via CSV with matching and duplicate flagging.

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Frequently asked questions about Downtobid

  • How much does Downtobid cost?
    Per the homepage FAQ, Downtobid starts at $149 per month for a GC organisation. For subcontractors, the basic leads bid board starts at $119 per month and full bid management starts at $299 per month. Planroom access and bid submission are free for subs.
  • Does Downtobid offer a free trial?
    A free trial signup page is published on the site. The homepage does not state the trial length or whether a card is required.
  • How do you use Downtobid?
    The walkthrough on this page covers 6 steps: 1. Start a free trial account 2. Upload a plan set for AI package detection 3. Review scopes and send personalised ITBs 4. Import your subcontractor list 5. Track coverage and follow up 6. Subs: manage invites on the Bid Board.
  • What platforms does Downtobid support?
    Downtobid is available on Web App.
  • What does Downtobid integrate with?
    The homepage only names CSV upload for subcontractor list imports. No native integrations with other construction platforms are described.
  • What are the limitations of Downtobid?
    The product concentrates on bid invitations and coverage, so estimating, takeoff and project management after award sit outside its scope. Subcontractor value depends on GC adoption: a sub board is only useful if the GCs sending invites are on the platform. Supplier profiles are matched automatically against Downtobid's database, and the homepage gives no detail on how accuracy is verified.

Status

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Added10/21/2026

Platforms

Web App

Pricing

FreeSubscription