Bidding Suppliers: Time is Running Out to Register for DMEPOS Competitive Bidding

From: CMS

If you are a supplier interested in participating in the Round 1 Recompete of the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program and have registered an authorized official (AO) but not a backup authorized official (BAO), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) strongly recommends that a BAO register no later than Friday, September 28, 2012.

It is important to do it now so that the BAO will be able to assist the AO with approving end user (EU) registration. The establishment of a BAO is encouraged, if your company has someone that can occupy the BAO role, to avoid any disruption in the bidding process once the 60-day bid window opens. The individual in the BAO role can also assume the AO role if for some reason the AO can no longer fulfill his or her bidding responsibilities; if there is no BAO and the AO leaves the company, all end users associated with the company will lose access to the bidding system.

Registration is typically a quick and easy process if you follow the step-by-step instructions in the “Individuals Authorized Access to CMS Computer Services (IACS) Reference Guide” posted on this website. To register, click on Round 1 Recompete, and then click on “REGISTRATION IS OPEN” above the Registration clock. Before you register, we strongly recommend that you review the IACS Reference Guide with step-by-step instructions and the Getting Started Registration Checklist. Please note that suppliers with multiple locations typically must register only one Provider Transaction Access Number (PTAN) that will submit the bid for all locations.

If you have any questions about the registration process, please contact the CBIC customer service center at 877-577-5331 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. prevailing Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

The target deadline has now passed for AO registration. If the AO for your company has not already registered and obtained a user ID and password, we cannot guarantee that he or she will be able to complete the registration process before the registration window closes on Friday, October 19, 2012 at 9 p.m. prevailing Eastern Time. This should be of particular concern if the National Supplier Clearinghouse (NSC) record for your company is not current and accurate. AOs should register now to allow BAOs and EUs time to register. In addition, suppliers whose AOs do not register now run the 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). As a result, we encourage you to register now.

Remember, the AO and BAO must be listed on the CMS-855S enrollment form 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 must also 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 NSC to register successfully.

Registration will close on Friday, October 19, 2012 at 9 p.m. prevailing Eastern Time – no AOs, BAOs, or EUs can register after registration closes.

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 1 Recompete, please refer to the bidder education materials on this website located under Round 1 Recompete > Bidding Suppliers.