Importing/Exporting a Bid is one of the easiest ways to share information with other Quick Bid users. Bid Packages (QBP file) contains all the Bid information required to recreate your bid in another database.
Secured Projects
If the database from which the Bid was exported required logins, the Bid is not imported into any existing database. Quick Bid walks you through creating a new database set to "Login Required" and includes all employees from the source database (passwords intact). The recipient must log into the database to access the Bid.
If you are sending a Bid from a 'secure' database but do not want Quick Bid to create a new database on the recipient's system, copy the Bid to a database that does not require logins and then export the Bid Package.
eQuotes
Exported Bids include the eQuotes created in a Bid, but not the invited Suppliers or received Supplier quotes.
Quick Bid makes it easy to share bids with other estimators using Bid Packages. Bid packages are a custom file that another Quick Bid user can import to creates a copy of the Bid in - all items, pricing, etc. are included in the export file. Bid packages include eQuotes you've created, however you must resend them to your suppliers from the database into which the Bid was imported - previously sent eQuotes are tied to the database/bid from which they are sent.
Bid packages can only be imported into the same or newer versions of Quick Bid from which they are created.
Export to Bid Package
Select the Bid to export and click File > Export to Bid Package..., or right-click the Bid and select Export to Bid Package...
The Save Bid Package As dialog opens.
Type in a File Name for the exported Bid - Quick Bid automatically generates a name based on the Bid number, name and date.
Navigate to the location where the file should be saved (the default is C:\OSC Documents\Quick Bid\ - this can be changed in Tools > Options > Folders > Package Folder).
Click OK - the Bid is saved and a notification displays when it is complete.
This file may be e-mailed to a co-worker or client, copied to a shareable media (such as a CDR or USB Drive), or to a network location.
Sending a Bid Package (using the Send command)
If Microsoft Outlook® or another MAPI-compliant e-mail application is installed on the computer, use the Send feature to make sharing a file even easier.
Open the Bid you want to send to another Quick Bid user.
On the Main Toolbar, click 
, then click By Email.
Quick Bid creates the Bid package, then launches a new e-mail message with the *.qbp file attached.
Add the e-mail address(es) for the recipient(s).
Modify the outgoing message as needed.
Click Send.
Importing a Bid Package
If Quick Bid is already running, simply double-click on the Bid Package (*.qbp) file and it automatically imports into the active database.
Be sure Quick Bid is running and the database into which you want to import the project is open before importing a Bid package.
Import a Bid Package Manually
Click File > Import..., or right-click in the Bid Navigator and select Import...
The Import dialog displays.
Select "Quick Bid Package File (*.qbp)" and click OK - the Open Bid Package dialog displays.
Navigate to where the Bid package file (*.qbp) is saved (the default is C:\OSC Documents\Quick Bid\).
Select the file to import and click OK.
Quick Bid imports the Bid and a notification displays when finished.
Click OK - the imported Bid is added to the active database and the Cover Sheet dialog opens.
Click OK on the Cover Sheet to return to the Bids Tab (if the original Bid was "interactive" with On-Screen Takeoff, you will click "Cancel" and then "OK" to Save the Bid).
Important Rules about Bid Packages
- If the original Bid is interactive with On-Screen Takeoff®, the Cover Sheet is Read-Only upon importing the Bid. To close and save, click the Cancel button and then select Yes to 'Save Changes...?'. To restore interactive functionality, you will need to import a copy of the On-Screen Takeoff Bid, then reconnect the Bids - see previous articles for more information.
- If the originating Database Required Login, the Bid will not be imported into the current database. Quick Bid creates a new database named for the Bid and imports the Bid into that new database. The new database is set to "Require Login" and includes the originating database's security (login) settings and Estimator list. You must provide the recipient with a valid login and password so he or she can open the database and view the Bid.
- Project Names must not include special characters such as #, % or and - any of the Shift+Number combinations - special characters may cause Bid import/export to fail; only standard alpha-numeric English characters should be used.
- If a user imports a QBP file, and then imports the same file again into the same database, Quick Bid creates a new copy of the Bid. Quick Bid does not overwrite or update the existing Bid.
- When you import a Bid from a bid package, the Payroll Settings are packaged with the Bid (you will see a new "Payroll" button on the Bid's Cover Sheet). Payroll Classes are added to the Master, and Wage Types are added to Payroll Settings, although if the Wage Types or Payroll Classes exist, the database wages/burdens will not be changed. You can apply the databases wage information to the bid by clicking Bid > Refresh Payroll Wages.
Importing a Bid Package (QBP File)
When you import a Bid Package into a database, Quick Bid creates a new Bid (each time). This prevents you from accidentally overwriting an existing Bid. If you are using On-Screen Takeoff and Quick Bid interactively, you will need to re-connect the Bids - see Related articles for more information.
Bids are imported into whatever database is currently 'active' (selected on the Bids Tab or in the Bid Navigator). See the next Chapter for more information about opening and closing databases.
When you import (or even copy) a Bid into a different database, depending on your Options settings, Quick Bid may add records to your Masters if they don't already exist.
Importing by double-clicking package
You can import a Bid Package by simply double-click a QBP file if you received it as an attachment file by e-mail.
If Quick Bid is not running, you will have to double-click the file again after Quick Bid opens.
Importing via the File Menu
(The easiest way to import is to double-click on the qbp file - this automatically imports the bid into the current, active database - the instructions below are for when double-clicking doesn't work or cannot be used.)
Click File > Import - the Import dialog displays
Select Quick Bid Package File (*.qbp),
Click OK - the Open Bid Package dialog displays
Browse to the location of the Bid Package file
Select the file, and click Open
The file is imported and the Bid is created.
Sending a Bid Package (QBP File)
You can send a copy of a Quick Bid project to another Quick Bid user by exporting the entire Project/Bid.
You can only export a Bid to a Bid Package file if you are Licensed user.
You can either use the "Send" button (explained below), or click File > Export to Bid Package, both create the same export file. When you click the Send button (on the Main Toolbar), you will see two options...
- Send By E-mail - creates a Bid Package (*.qbp) file and automatically launches your e-mail program (MAPI-compliant).
- Send To File - saves the Bid Package (*.qbp) wherever you choose so you can provide it to another user by whatever means you see fit.
By e-mail
If Microsoft Outlook® or another MAPI-compliant e-mail application is installed on the computer, use the Send feature to make sharing a file even easier.
Click Send > By E-mail - the Create Bid Package dialog appears
Click OK, the project is packed up and then your default e-mail application (such as Microsoft Outlook) opens.
A new message is created with the Bid Package attached...
Add appropriate recipients, customize the message, and click Send
To File
A Bid Package can be exported to a file for attaching to a web-based e-mail provider, network transfer, or copying to a thumb drive.
Click Send > To file - the Save Bid Package As dialog appears
Browse to the location where you want to save the export file
Type a name in the file name field (the File name in the Export Bid to Package dialog defaults to '[Bid Number][Bid Name][mmddyyyy].qbp' and can be renamed as needed. The default location is the Package Folder under Tools > Options > Folders.
Click Save
The Bid Package is saved in the specified location.
See Related Articles for information on exporting data from the Program Tabs (Bids, Conditions, Subs, Markups, etc.).
Importing and Exporting - Overview