Your time to move is three months prior to the date the bid will be issued. You should be wondering if your product already meets specifications in current use, and you should ask if any specification changes are anticipated. Many states have formal procedures for evaluating and changing specifications. Many states convene vendor conferences prior to issuing a bid in order to listen to your concerns. Try to understand the laws, rules, procedures that influence your ability to bid, the bid process and method of award.
Some states require advance bidder registration or certifications.
Some states have price preferences for various social programs. Some states require that awards be made to the lowest bidder, while others, like Wisconsin, encourage life-cycle cost evaluation. Most states have a fairly quick, formal mechanism for appealing, or challenging the outcome of a bid. If you question the way an award was made, you should at least ask the responsible purchasing agent to explain your issue, even if you do not want to pursue a formal appeal. If you want the state to change specifications, including the bid process or the method of award, start with the purchasing agent responsible for the contract in question.