Respond to Buyer Messages After a Request Closes

  • Updated

After a Request or Tender has closed, Buyers can send you messages to ask for more information or documents. This article guides Suppliers on how to view and reply to these post-close messages.

Prerequisites

You must be a Supplier with a submitted response to a Request or Tender.

Steps

To view and respond to a post-close message from a Buyer:

  1. Check for notifications. You will receive an email notification with a link to view the message, or the message will appear under the Messaging heading on the left side of your home screen.
     
  2. View unread messages. Click the Unread link under Messaging.
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  3. Open the message list. On the new page, click the # Message Topic(s) link next to the relevant response. This area will indicate if the message is new and unread.
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  4. View message details. Click on the subject line of the message to display the details, including the date and time sent.
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    • Note: To download any attached documents, click the attachment button on the far right.
  5. Start a reply. Click the Add Reply button.

     
  6. Compose your message. Type your message to the Buyer, then click the Next button.
     
  7. Add attachments (Optional). On the next page, click the Add button below the 'Attachments' heading.
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  8. Post the reply. Select the Post now button to send your message to the Buyer.
    • Alternatively: You can select Save as draft to save your progress and send it later.

Results/Validation

Once the reply is posted, it is sent to the Buyer. You cannot edit your response or send another message until the Buyer sends you another message.

What's Next / Related

To view previous message conversations, go to the My Responses tab, select the Message Topic(s) button to the right of the relevant response, and then click the subject line of the conversation you want to view.

Limits & Notes

  • You cannot send an unsolicited message after a request has closed; you must wait for the Buyer to initiate the conversation.
  • You cannot edit your response or send a follow-up message once you've posted a reply; you must wait for the Buyer to send the next message in the thread.