At Autodesk, we’re all about connected construction, where data, teams, and processes stay connected across every phase of the project lifecycle. The Bid tool in Preconstruction currently in beta for certain subscription types enables just that by bringing bid management and prequalification workflows from BuildingConnected into Autodesk Forma so teams can work in a more connected preconstruction workflow.
In this article, we cover how to turn this capability on, which IDs and accounts must be linked, and the setup issues that most commonly block access.
The Bid tool in Preconstruction brings proven bid management and prequalification workflows from BuildingConnected directly into the Preconstruction experience in Autodesk Forma. It centralizes bidding alongside takeoff, estimating, and qualification, so teams can reduce handoffs, avoid duplicate data entry, and keep preconstruction workflows more connected.
As for who this affects, nothing changes from the subcontractor's and bidder's perspectives. Bid invites, bid boards, and bid submissions work the same way they do today, and bidders do not need a Forma account.
Bidding in Preconstruction is currently in public beta and available on projects using the US data storage region.
To access the feature, you need a Forma Takeoff or a Forma for Preconstruction bundle. A BuildingConnected Pro subscription is also required.
For the tool to work correctly, BuildingConnected account, with BuildingConnected Pro access, must be connected to your Autodesk ID.
Try Autodesk Forma for Preconstruction
Before you create your first RFP, it’s worth taking a few minutes to confirm your setup. Most access issues stem from missing subscriptions, incorrect regions, or identity mismatches.
Getting access starts with making sure the right accounts are connected. The Bid tool in Preconstruction relies on both Autodesk and BuildingConnected identities working together behind the scenes.
As such, you need the following to use the tool:
Bidding workflows in Preconstruction requires these two identities to be connected so data and workflows can flow between BuildingConnected and Forma without duplication.
Once your subscriptions, project region, and identity linking are set up correctly, the Bid tool will be accessible directly inside the Preconstruction experience in Autodesk Forma. From there, teams can access BuildingConnected bidding workflows alongside takeoff, estimating, and qualification workflows in one connected experience.
It’s also important to know that this is BuildingConnected surfaced inside Forma with additional enhancements. You don’t need to migrate projects or move bidding data into a separate system to get started.
Once you’re up and running with the Bid tool, you can manage bidding workflows directly inside Autodesk Forma while staying connected to BuildingConnected data and processes.
Here’s what you’ll be able to do:
Teams can create RFPs directly inside Forma and manage multiple RFPs within the same project environment. This makes it easier to support different stages of preconstruction, phased bidding efforts, or progressive buyouts without jumping between disconnected systems. Instead of tracking bid activity across separate tools, you can keep bidding workflows tied to the same project context used for takeoff and estimating.
The Bid tool allows teams to organize work into scoped bid packages and invite the right subcontractors to the right scopes. Teams can manage scope coverage across bidders, reduce overlap, and keep package organization more structured as projects grow in complexity.
Teams can create structured bid forms at both the RFP and bid package level to collect more consistent information from bidders. This includes pricing, alternates, inclusions, exclusions, clarifications, and other scope-specific details. Standardized bid forms improve completeness and make bids easier to compare side by side, especially when multiple subcontractors are pricing the same scope.
You can communicate with bidders right from the bidding workflow. Answer questions, clarify scope, and keep conversations tied to the appropriate bid package or RFP. This reduces reliance on long email threads and disconnected communication. At the same time, it provides teams with better visibility into bidder interactions and project discussions.
Submitted bids can be reviewed directly within the bidding experience, and you can use structured bid data to compare responses. This makes it easier to see scope gaps and pricing differences, and you’re able to work more efficiently because there’s no need to recreate data in spreadsheets or separate systems.
Teams can continue working in either Autodesk Forma or BuildingConnected, depending on their preferred workflow. Data remains connected across both environments, so there’s no need to worry about maintaining duplicate records or manually syncing information between systems.
While most project-based bidding workflows are now available inside Forma Bid, some actions still require using BuildingConnected, including:
This is expected during the beta period and does not impact data continuity. Changes made in BuildingConnected continue to reflect in Forma Bid where applicable (so you can continue managing your templates in BuildingConnected while using them in Forma).
Bid in Preconstruction is a handyif you set it up properly. Teams can move through bidding workflows with far less friction. To make sure you don’t run into issues, be mindful of the following pitfalls:
Because the Bid tool is currently in public beta, there are a few limitations and rollout considerations to keep in mind before enabling the feature.
Access is currently limited to projects using the US data storage region, and only certain Autodesk Forma subscription types are eligible.
In addition, the experience is still evolving, which means some functionality, workflows, and navigation patterns may continue to change as Autodesk expands and improves the beta experience over time.
You’ll need a project using the US data storage region, a Forma Takeoff or Forma for Preconstruction subscription, BuildingConnected Pro access, and properly linked Autodesk and BuildingConnected IDs.
In most cases, one (or more) of the eligibility requirements has not been met. The most common issues are incorrect subscription assignments, projects outside the US region, or Autodesk and BuildingConnected IDs that are not connected properly.
No. Your existing BuildingConnected data and workflows carry over automatically, so there’s no separate migration process required to get started.
Yes. Teams can continue working in BuildingConnected while also accessing bidding workflows inside Forma. Data flows smoothly across both experiences, so you do not need to recreate RFPs or manually sync information.
In Forma Bid, a BuildingConnected Pro project appears as an RFP rather than a Forma project.
This distinction helps separate bidding workflows from Forma’s broader project and data management capabilities. When a BuildingConnected project is imported as an RFP in Forma, its bid packages, bidders and bid activity can also be imported.
No. From the subcontractor and bidder perspective, the experience stays the same. Bid invites, bid boards, and bid submissions continue working the way they do today through Bid Board. No Forma account is required for bidders, and file access behavior does not change as a result of linking projects to Forma.
Autodesk is actively gathering feedback during the beta period. You can submit input directly through the in-product feedback option available within the beta experience.
Forma Bid is a strong fit today for teams that:
Teams that rely heavily on advanced network or template management may still spend more time in BuildingConnected while parity continues to improve.
Bid in Preconstruction connects proven BuildingConnected workflows directly into Autodesk Forma, reducing duplication and improving visibility across preconstruction. Most setup issues come down to region eligibility, subscription requirements, or unlinked IDs. Once those are resolved, teams can start creating RFPs and bidding workflows with minimal friction.
Want to get started? Follow the steps outlined above to start managing bidding workflows directly inside Autodesk Forma.
