Patent ID: 7783554
Filing Date: 2010-08-24
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method, the method comprising: archiving detailed construction project bid information on a bid archive server, said bid archive server comprising one or more processors, and communicatively coupled with a data communications network, where the one or more processors are further performing the steps comprising: receiving at the bid archive server a request from an owner identifying summary bid requirements, the request seeking competing bids for a construction project, said competing bids comprising detailed construction project bid information; receiving at the bid archive server a plurality of competing bids via the data communications network during an open bid window, wherein each of the plurality of competing bids comprises summary bid information and detailed bid information; time-stamping each of the plurality of competing bids; encrypting at least the detailed bid information for each of the plurality of competing bids; providing a decryption key to a submitter of a competing bid, wherein the decryption key is required to decrypt the encrypted detailed bid information of the competing bid; providing only the summary bid information of the plurality of competing bids to the owner, for consideration by the owner, wherein the owner determines a winning bid amongst the plurality of competing bids using only the summary bid information of the plurality of competing bids; storing the encrypted detailed bid information for at least the winning bid in a data storage area of the bid archive server after the bid window has closed and the winning bid has been awarded, wherein the encrypted detailed bid information remains protected in the data storage area on the bid archive server until said decryption key provided to said submitter is provided to the bid archive server.