The listing can be for 1,000 tons of coal ash or it can be 3 loads of frozen poultry products. Freight rates can be arranged 4 different ways. Public bidding, as its name implies, means that all bids are open to the public. Anyone with access to Online Procurement, can view bids for loads with Public bidding. Confidential bidding means that the Shipper is only one that can view the bids.
Carriers can only see their own bids.
Bids entered by other subscribers are hidden. Sealed bidding means that the bid cannot be viewed by anyone until the Sealed Bid Open Date and Time has passed. After the Sealed Bid Open Date and Time has expired, the bids are treated like Confidential bids where the Shipper can see all bids for the load but Carriers may only see their own bids. The bidding process is secure and the Shipper controls the process and form. Online Procurement automatically notifies the Shipper when a bid has been entered for one of their loads.