GradeBeam is a Communication System designed BY and FOR the construction industry.  GradeBeam’s mission is to improve the efficiency of information distribution within regional construction communities.  By providing a secure, online resource for the exchange of information, GradeBeam allows industry professionals to post, manage and access critical project information at a central location. GradeBeam simplifies and expedites the massive information exchange that occurs in the pre-construction phases of projects, including invitations to bid, drawing/specification distribution, corrections, addenda, requests for information and responses.  By leveraging the newest information and communication technologies, GradeBeam enables construction firms to make their business processes more cost effective.

General contractors use GradeBeam to post project information, search for subcontractors and suppliers, send bid invitations, distribute project documents through local printing firms, track bid responses and issue project change information.  Subcontractors & suppliers use GradeBeam to control and update their company’s contact information in one central database, find out about public construction opportunities, receive bid invitations via E-mail & fax, review project information and respond to private bid invitations. 

GradeBeam operates as an independent company with its own management, staff and facilities.  Through its Web site, GradeBeam provides more effective and efficient management of the construction bidding process. Advantages include:

1. Fast, simple, accurate communication

General contractors using GradeBeam's services are able to replace their internal phone/fax/mail-based invitation-to-bid process with a faster, simpler, more accountable Internet-based system.  Most contractors report a 90% reduction in bid coordination time with GradeBeam.  Subcontractors and suppliers are able to receive messages to their E-mail or fax machine.  They can also Sign-In to GradeBeam to view project information and respond to bid invitations. General contractors can then use the site to view bid responses, assess trade coverage, and track their bidder’s response history.

2. Centralized, up-to-date information

The GradeBeam Web site includes a comprehensive and continuously updated directory of contractors, suppliers and other construction industry organizations.  These companies can maintain their own contact information relieving their clients from the burden of maintaining a database of bidder’s addresses, phone and fax numbers.

The Web site includes a list of open bidding opportunities for all GradeBeam members posted directly by the companies requesting pricing. GradeBeam also offers direct communication with local area printing companies.  These firms provide fast distribution services for essential project information and offer the ability to post, view, and download drawings and specifications from the Internet.

3. Low cost

Standard GradeBeam Membership starts at $350 per year for an entire company.  This fee includes unlimited users, projects and messages.  Members are automatically registered in the GradeBeam Directory, and have full access to GradeBeam's Construction Communication System.

Additional fees may be charged for certain premium services.