The registration deadline for the re-compete of Round Two of competitive bidding is just around the corner. Providers planning on bidding must register before Tues., Feb. 17 at 9 p.m. prevailing Eastern Time, or they will be out of the game.
Even if providers have registered during a previous round of competition — such as Round One, the Round One re-compete, Round Two, or the national mail-order competition — they must register for the Round Two re-compete. Only providers that have registered and received a user ID and password will be able to access the online DMEPOS Bidding System (DBidS); suppliers that do not register cannot bid and are not eligible for contracts.
To register, providers should go to the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) website at www.dmecompetitivebid.com, click on left-hand button labeled, “Round Two & National Mail-Order Recompete,” and then click on “REGISTRATION IS OPEN” above the Registration clock. CMS recommends that providers also:
- Review the IACS Reference Guide.
- Watch the instructional video, “How to Register to Submit a Bid.”
- Use the IACS: Getting Started Registration Checklist.
Important AO, BAO & EU Reminders
The deadline includes the people providers have designated as their Authorized Officials (AOs) and Backup Authorized Officials (BAOs) as well as End Users (EUs) for the bid. Those individuals should register “now,” CMS emphasized. The agencies suggested that providers might want to register multiple EUs to help enter bid data in Form B of DBidS, the online bidding system. They will need to complete a Form B for each product category/Competitive Bidding Area (CBA) for which you are bidding. Multiple users (AO, BAOs, EUs) can be in the Form B section of DBidS at the same time as long as each user is entering information for a different product category/CBA.
If the AO for your company has not already registered, CMS said it cannot guarantee that person will be able to complete the registration process before registration closes. CMS noted this is especially a concern if a provider’s files with the National Supplier Clearinghouse (NSC) are not current and accurate. If a provider’s AO does not register, it cannot bid and will not be eligible for a contract. In addition, suppliers whose AOs have not registered are at risk of experiencing delays in accessing the online bidding system to get a bidder number and thereby missing the opportunity to submit financial documents by the Covered Document Review Date (CDRD).
If a provider has registered an AO but not a BAO, CMS said it “strongly” recommends that a BAO register “now.” The establishment of a BAO is encouraged to avoid any disruption in the bidding process. The individual in the BAO role can assume the AO role if for some reason the AO can no longer fulfill his or her bidding responsibilities. If there is no BAO for a company and the AO leaves the company, all end users associated with the company will lose access to the bidding system.
CMS also noted that providers should remember that the AO and BAO must be listed on the CMS-855S enrollment application as an AO. After an AO successfully registers, the AO may designate other authorized officials on the CMS-855S to serve as BAOs; the AO and BAOs can then designate other supplier employees as EUs. BAOs and EUs also must register for a user ID and password to be able to use the online bidding system. The name and Social Security number of the AO and BAOs must match exactly with what is on file with the National Supplier Clearinghouse (NSC) to register successfully.
Other Reminders
CMS also reminded providers to:
- Review and update their enrollment records. Suppliers must maintain accurate information on their CMS-855S enrollment application with the NSC and in the Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS). It is important to note that if a provider record is not current at the time of registration, it might experience delays or be unable to register and bid. CMS noted that it will also validate providers’ bid data against their enrollment records in PECOS during bid evaluation. If it is not current or accurate, a provider’s bid(s) might 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.