Cimmra
A well-run auction is the most honest price discovery instrument in procurement. A badly run one costs supplier trust that takes years to rebuild.
Cimmra Auctions supports the discipline good events need: qualified bidders only, live rank display so suppliers know where they stand without seeing competitors’ prices, minimum decrements that prevent token moves, and auto-extension that stops last-second sniping.
Reverse and forward formats
English, reverse, and forward auction formats with configurable start prices, decrements, and durations.
Live rank and auto-extension
Bidders see their rank in real time. Late bids extend the clock automatically so the best price wins, not the best timing.
Complete event history
Every bid, rule, and extension is recorded for audit, compliance, and supplier feedback after the event.
How it works
- Qualify and invite suppliers, and set the auction rules up front.
- Suppliers bid live with rank visibility and enforced decrements.
- Auto-extension keeps the event open while bidding is active.
- Award from the final standings with the full bid history attached.
Frequently asked questions
When should we use a reverse auction instead of an RFQ?
Auctions work best for clearly specified, comparable items with at least three qualified bidders. For loosely specified scope or strategic partnerships, a scored RFQ is usually the better tool.
Can suppliers see each other’s prices?
No. Suppliers see their own rank, not competitors’ prices, which keeps pressure honest without leaking commercial data.
What prevents last-second bid sniping?
Auto-extension. A bid arriving near the close extends the event by a configured window, so every participant gets a chance to respond.
Is the auction outcome binding?
The award flows from the final standings into a purchase order, and the complete event record supports the decision internally and with suppliers.