Today is the target deadline for all Authorized Officials (AOs) to register in the Round 2 Recompete and national mail-order recompete of the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program. CMS strongly urges all AOs who have not already registered to register today to ensure that backup authorized officials (BAOs) and end users (EUs) have time to register. We recommend that BAOs register no later than January 20, 2015, so that they will be able to assist AOs with approving EU registration before bidding begins on January 22, 2015.
In order to submit a bid(s) for the Round 2 Recompete and/or the national mail-order recompete, you must first register in the Individuals Authorized Access to CMS Computer Services (IACS) online application. Once you have registered in IACS, you will receive a user ID and password to access the online DMEPOS Bidding System (DBidS). You must register even if you registered during a previous round of competition (Round 1 Recompete, Round 2, or the national mail-order competition).
Only suppliers who have a user ID and password will be able to access DBidS; suppliers that do not register will not be able to submit a bid. If you are a supplier interested in bidding, you must designate one individual listed as an AO on your organization’s CMS-855S enrollment application in the Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System (PECOS) to act as your AO for registration purposes. After an AO successfully registers and receives his or her user ID and password, other individuals listed as an AO on the CMS-855S in PECOS may register as BAOs. The AO must approve a BAO’s request to register. The AO and BAOs can designate other individuals not listed as an AO on the CMS-855S in PECOS to serve as EUs. BAOs and EUs must also register for a user ID and password in IACS in order to access DBidS. The name and Social Security number of the AO and BAO entered in IACS must match exactly with what is recorded on the CMS-855S and on file in PECOS to register successfully. Bidders are prohibited from sharing user IDs and passwords.
Registration extends into the bidding period and will close on Tuesday, February 17, 2015, at 9pm prevailing ET – no AOs, BAOs, or EUs can register after registration closes. Bidding will close on Wednesday, March 25, 2015.
To register, go to the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) website, www.dmecompetitivebid.com, click on Round 2 & National Mail-Order Recompete, and then click on "REGISTRATION IS OPEN” above the Registration clock. CMS strongly recommends that you:
- Review the IACS Reference Guide
- Watch the short and very helpful instructional video, “How to Register to Submit a Bid,” on your computer, tablet, or phone, and
- Use the IACS: Getting Started Registration Checklist.
CMS would also like to remind you to:
- Review and update your enrollment records. Suppliers must maintain accurate information on their CMS-855S enrollment application with the National Supplier Clearinghouse (NSC) and in PECOS. It is important to note that if your record is not current at the time of registration, you may experience delays and/or be unable to register and bid. We will also validate your bid data against your enrollment record in PECOS during bid evaluation. If it is not current or accurate, your bid(s) may be disqualified.
- Get licensed. Supplier locations must be licensed as applicable by the state in which it furnishes, or will furnish, products and services under the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program.
- Get accredited. Supplier locations must be accredited by a CMS-approved accrediting organization for the products and services it furnishes, or will furnish, under the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program.
The CBIC is the official information source for bidders.All suppliers interested in bidding are urged to sign up for “E-mail Updates” on the home page of the CBIC website. For information about the Round 2 Recompete and the national mail-order recompete, please refer to the bidder education materials located under Round 2 & National Mail-Order Recompete > Bidding Suppliers on this website. The CBIC participates in numerous educational events to assist stakeholders in understanding the rules that govern the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program. Visit the CBIC website for a listing and schedule of educational events under the Educational Information section of the Round 2 & National Mail-Order Recompete page.
In addition to viewing the information on the CBIC website, suppliers are encouraged to call the CBIC customer service center toll-free, at 1-877-577-5331, with their questions. During registration and bidding periods, the customer service center will be open from 9am to 9pm prevailing ET.