The Manage Keys function of the Open Bids utility helps you ensure the keys used to create the solicitations are available to decrypt them once the deadline has passed. The key should be created when you first start using the Bid Express service. You can export a key to back it up in the case something happens to your computer and import it to use with your current computer.
Please see Agency Key for more information on creating the agency key.
To import or export an agency key:
Click the ADMIN button if you are not already in the agency pages.
Select Manage Lettings, Proposals and Bids from the Letting and Vendor Data section of the Manage Agency page.
Select a letting whose date has already passed.
Select Open Bids in the upper right corner. The Bid Express® service goes to the Open Bids page.
Click LAUNCH OPEN BIDS. The Bid Express service opens the Bid Express Bid Opener.
Select Manage Keys from the Tools menu. The Bid Express service opens the Manage Agency Keys window.
To import a key, click IMPORT KEY. The Import Key File window opens. Navigate to and select the key to import and click OPEN. Click OK in the import confirmation window. Click ok in the Manage Agency Keys window to return to the Bid Opener window.
To export a key (this can be used to back up a key), select the key from the Manage Keys drop down list. Click EXPORT KEY. Navigate to the location where you wish to save the key and click SAVE. Click OK in the Manage Agency Keys window to return to the Bid Opener window.
Click on the arrow for the drop down list in the Manage Keys section to see your newly imported key.
You can delete keys that are no longer in use. You cannot restore a deleted key, but if you previously made a back up for the key, it can be imported.
To delete a key:
Click the ADMIN button if you are not already in the agency pages.
Select Manage Lettings, Proposals and Bids from the Letting and Vendor Data section of the Manage Agency page.
Select a letting whose date has already passed.
Select Open Bids in the upper right corner. The Bid Express service goes to the Open Bids page.
Click LAUNCH OPEN BIDS. The Bid Express service opens the Bid Express Bid Opener.
Select Manage Keys from the Tools menu. The Bid Express service opens the Manage Agency Keys window.
Select the key you wish to delete from the Manage Keys drop down list.
Click delete key.
The Bid Express service deletes the key and stays in the Manage Keys window.
When you are finished managing your keys, click ok in the Manage Keys window to return to the Bid Express Bid Opener.