{"id":24752,"date":"2026-07-13T11:41:16","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T18:41:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.dat.com\/resources\/?p=24752"},"modified":"2026-07-17T04:42:36","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T11:42:36","slug":"mini-bids-for-shippers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/mini-bids-for-shippers","title":{"rendered":"Mini-Bids for Shippers: Faster, Smarter Freight Decisions"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"24752\" class=\"elementor elementor-24752\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-73a2a944 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"73a2a944\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1932589f\" data-id=\"1932589f\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2e0fe403 elementor-widget elementor-widget-template\" data-id=\"2e0fe403\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"template.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-template\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"23482\" class=\"elementor elementor-23482\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5f9a1cf2 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"5f9a1cf2\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c09d1bd\" data-id=\"c09d1bd\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-423e1446 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"423e1446\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-1a3148dd\" data-id=\"1a3148dd\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7d0fd02d header-top-title elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-title elementor-page-title elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7d0fd02d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-medium\">Mini-Bids for Shippers: Faster, Smarter Freight Decisions<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-6d8b956a\" data-id=\"6d8b956a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3c8f3731 long-form-content-sec elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3c8f3731\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-335f9d7b\" data-id=\"335f9d7b\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-74f2412f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"74f2412f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-6e8fd18\" data-id=\"6e8fd18\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c2ceb4 elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-template\" data-id=\"2c2ceb4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"template.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-template\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"23484\" class=\"elementor elementor-23484\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-77872c06 elementor-section-full_width elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"77872c06\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-7813e718\" data-id=\"7813e718\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1de5dee7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1de5dee7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"#\">&lt; Back to resources<\/a><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c92a00 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6c92a00\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Share<br><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5a3a2bcc uael-share-buttons--view-icon uael-stylex-inline elementor-grid-0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-uael-social-share\" data-id=\"5a3a2bcc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;column_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:2,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_size&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:1,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_height&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_height_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_height_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;icon_size&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:24,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;icon_size_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;icon_size_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;columns&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;column_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;column_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:0,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:0,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_size_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_size_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"uael-social-share.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"uael-style-inline uael-container uael-floating-align-\" data-pin_data_url=\"\" data-share_url_type=\"current_page\" data-share_url=\"\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid uael-floating-align-\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a  class=\"uael-share-btn-facebook\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn elementor-animation- uaelbtn-shape-circle uaelbtn--skin-flat\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-share-btn__icon\" aria-label=\"Share on facebook\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fab fa-facebook\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a  class=\"uael-share-btn-linkedin\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn elementor-animation- uaelbtn-shape-circle uaelbtn--skin-flat\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-share-btn__icon\" aria-label=\"Share on linkedin\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fab fa-linkedin\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a  class=\"uael-share-btn-twitter\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn elementor-animation- uaelbtn-shape-circle uaelbtn--skin-flat\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-share-btn__icon\" aria-label=\"Share on twitter\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fab fa-x-twitter\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a  class=\"uael-share-btn-reddit\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn elementor-animation- uaelbtn-shape-circle uaelbtn--skin-flat\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-share-btn__icon\" aria-label=\"Share on reddit\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fab fa-reddit\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a  class=\"uael-share-btn-email\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn elementor-animation- uaelbtn-shape-circle uaelbtn--skin-flat\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-share-btn__icon\" aria-label=\"Share on email\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fas fa-envelope\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f883e5f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4f883e5f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Freight markets now shift faster than annual RFPs can adapt, making agility and data essential to procurement. Mini-bids\u2014short, targeted freight bidding events\u2014help shippers realign pricing, strengthen carrier relationships, and respond quickly to market volatility without restarting a full bid cycle.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Discover how to plan, execute, and optimize mini-bids as part of a continuous procurement strategy. You will learn when to launch a mini-bid, how to identify the right lanes, and how to evaluate results using real-time benchmarks. With <\/span><a href=\"\/iq\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DAT iQ<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, shippers gain verified rate analytics, capacity insights, and market benchmarks to inform every procurement decision. DAT Bid, the newest addition to the shipper solution suite, makes it easier to manage sourcing events from RFP setup and invitations through bid analysis and awarding. With rate intelligence built into the workflow, shippers can build smarter, more resilient freight networks that keep contracts aligned with market conditions and supply chains running smoothly year-round.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-4d8341a6 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4d8341a6\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-narrow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-2e0a5a0\" data-id=\"2e0a5a0\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d35ec7d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d35ec7d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why flexibility defines modern freight procurement<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-363a939c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"363a939c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Freight markets are prone to uncertainty. Rate cycles, capacity shifts, and network changes can alter procurement assumptions faster than traditional annual RFP cycles can adjust. Seasonal surges, supply-chain disruptions, and shifting consumer demand can reshape rate structures overnight. For years, shippers relied on the annual freight RFP to set rates and lock in capacity for twelve months or more. That \u201cset-it-and-forget-it\u201d approach worked when conditions were predictable\u2014but today\u2019s market demands speed, insight, and adaptability.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mini-bids emerged from this environment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as a practical bridge between stability and agility. Rather than re-bidding an entire network, logistics managers can adjust pricing or add carriers on key lanes in a matter of weeks. With robust data from <\/span><a href=\"\/iq\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DAT iQ<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, shippers can validate every decision using live benchmarks, forecasts, and capacity signals. Combined with DAT Bid, the process becomes digital, transparent, and repeatable. The result: a freight procurement process that\u2019s faster, smarter, and resilient against future volatility.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-e8d2d41 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e8d2d41\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-narrow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-5d3ed29\" data-id=\"5d3ed29\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-68a053b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"68a053b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What are mini-bids and why they matter for shippers<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2881fc3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2881fc3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A mini-bid is a short, focused bidding event that covers a limited set of lanes\u2014often 10 to 50\u2014that require immediate attention. It\u2019s not a replacement for the annual freight RFP, but an enhancement that keeps rates aligned with market reality between major contract cycles.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unlike a full RFP that might take months to design, release, and evaluate<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a mini-bid can be completed in two to four weeks. Shippers use it to correct routing-guide slippage, onboard backup carriers, or capitalize on favorable pricing trends. Because the scope is narrower, the timeline is compressed \u2014 but that speed only works if your data and workflow can keep up.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mini-bids deliver measurable benefits:<\/span><\/p><ul><li><strong>Agility<\/strong>: update contracts before spot exposure erodes budgets.<\/li><li><strong>Cost control<\/strong>: benchmark against the verified DAT iQ rate database for fair, market-based pricing.<\/li><li><strong>Service reliability<\/strong>: retain strong carriers and replace weak performers promptly.<\/li><li><strong>Relationship strength<\/strong>: frequent, transparent collaboration builds trust and long-term loyalty.<\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In essence, mini-bids modernize freight procurement by combining analytics precision with operational speed.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-386b1e3 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"386b1e3\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-narrow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-d9ce7fd\" data-id=\"d9ce7fd\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-98d1d4f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"98d1d4f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">When to initiate a mini-bid: the four trigger events<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9ea511b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9ea511b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mini-bids are most effective when they\u2019re proactive, not reactive. DAT identifies four common triggers that signal the need for a targeted bidding event:<\/span><\/p><ol><li><strong>Network expansion<\/strong>: Opening new distribution centers, adding customers, or changing fulfillment patterns creates lanes with little historical data.<\/li><li><strong>Distressed or failing carriers<\/strong>: Declining performance or sudden exits leave coverage gaps that must be filled quickly.<\/li><li><strong>Tight market capacity<\/strong>: When spot rates surge above contracted levels, a mini-bid can realign pricing and reinforce routing guide stability before spot exposure increases.<\/li><li><strong>Soft market conditions<\/strong>: When market rates drop below contract levels, rebidding select lanes prevents overspending and strengthens your cost position.<\/li><\/ol><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Beyond these, analytical triggers\u2014such as widening gaps between contract and market benchmarks or persistent spot reliance\u2014often justify launching a mini-bid. By monitoring these signals through <\/span><a href=\"\/iq\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DAT iQ<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> dashboards, procurement teams can time bids precisely for maximum impact.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-b92271f elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b92271f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-narrow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-bdf871b\" data-id=\"bdf871b\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6e5dfed elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6e5dfed\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Planning a mini-bid strategy for smarter freight bidding<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d94539 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1d94539\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><b>Define clear objectives<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every mini-bid should start with a purpose. Are you reducing costs on inflated lanes, improving service, or onboarding alternate carriers? Set quantifiable goals such as \u2018reduce rate variance to within \u00b13% of DAT iQ benchmark\u2019 or \u2018bring contract pricing back in line with current market conditions.\u2019<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Identify the right lanes<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Analyze contract vs. market data using rate analytics to pinpoint which lanes are misaligned. High-volume corridors, repeat service failures, or new customer routes often yield the greatest ROI. <\/span><a href=\"\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/resource-assets\/in-depth-guide\/107_DAT_iQ_Shipper_Ultimate_Guide_to_RFPs.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ultimate Guide to RFPs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> advises segmenting the top 20 % of lanes that account for most spend\u2014an approach equally valid for mini-bids.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Gather clean, complete data<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shippers frequently make the mistake of launching bids with incomplete lane specs or inaccurate volumes. Validate every detail\u2014origin\/destination pairs, expected shipments, commodity type, equipment, and service requirements. Clean data builds carrier confidence and leads to more competitive shipping bids.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><\/p><h3><b>Leverage analytics to design smarter events<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use market participation data in tools like DAT\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"\/load-boards\/lanemakers\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">LaneMakers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to identify carriers active in your lanes and pair internal performance insights with DAT iQ benchmarks to guide invitations. Forecasted rates help define realistic target ranges, reducing the risk of awarding pricing that drifts out of alignment with market conditions.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Planning through data turns a tactical exercise into a strategic tool that enhances the overall freight procurement process.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-ec48d28 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ec48d28\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-narrow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-5b69500\" data-id=\"5b69500\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f8764a9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f8764a9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Executing mini-bids efficiently<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f0e388a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f0e388a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><b>Build concise bid packages<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clarity equals speed. Each package should include essential lane data, weekly or monthly volume estimates, and accessorial terms such as detention or fuel adjustments. Transparent requirements eliminate guesswork and shorten turnaround.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Communicate expectations early<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before publishing your mini-bid, outline evaluation criteria\u2014pricing competitiveness, service reliability, compliance, and technology capability. Sharing this upfront ensures carriers tailor their offers appropriately and reduces post-award friction.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Use DAT Bid to simplify execution<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DAT Bid standardizes digital bid submission, simplifies quote collection, and replaces email-based workflows. Shippers can distribute structured RFPs, collect responses in a consistent format, and compare submissions in a cleaner, more organized workflow. When paired with <\/span><a href=\"\/iq\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DAT iQ<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> rate and network benchmarks, this supports faster turnaround times and more informed award decisions. DAT Bid requires no IT implementation and works with your existing carrier network from day one. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/connect.dat.com\/dat-bid-for-shippers\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Request a consultation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to see how it fits your procurement workflow.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Apply advanced tactics for better results<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To maximize results, keep bid events tightly scoped and timelines clear. Short response windows, well-defined lane data, and structured submissions encourage stronger participation and cleaner comparisons. A streamlined digital workflow reduces administrative friction and helps teams move from collection to award more efficiently.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-4f5b85c elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4f5b85c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-narrow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-99f2c31\" data-id=\"99f2c31\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1caa499 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1caa499\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Evaluating and awarding a freight contract<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b2a4d46 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b2a4d46\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><b>Benchmark precisely<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once bids close, analyze submissions using integrated RateView verified rate data. Comparing each quote against market benchmarks identifies fair, sustainable pricing while protecting carrier or broker margins. DAT Bid automatically calculates your lowest-cost scenario \u2014 showing average cost per load and annual total \u2014 from the first bid received, updating dynamically as more carriers respond so you&#8217;re not waiting until collection closes to start evaluating.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Balance price with performance<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lowest rate isn\u2019t always best. Pair DAT iQ market benchmarks with your organization\u2019s internal service and compliance metrics to ensure awarded carriers align with both pricing goals and service expectations. Evaluating headhaul vs. backhaul balance also ensures carriers operate efficiently, reducing risk of mid-term renegotiation.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Award decisively<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Speed matters: confirm awards within days, not weeks. Provide digital documentation outlining KPIs, escalation contacts, and review schedules. This transparency reinforces accountability and fosters stronger contracts with brokers and carriers.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Integrate data for continuous improvement<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With <a href=\"\/benchmark-analytics\">DAT Benchmark<\/a>, shippers can compare awarded pricing against market rates and track performance over time, turning each mini-bid into a measurable input for the next procurement cycle rather than a one-time event. DAT Bid makes it possible to quickly take action on problematic lanes or carriers surfaced in Benchmark. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-5cd5bca elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5cd5bca\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-narrow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-eb4f1a1\" data-id=\"eb4f1a1\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8297766 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8297766\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Ongoing optimization in continuous procurement<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-81715bd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"81715bd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mini-bids only deliver lasting value<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> when followed by consistent monitoring made possible by digitalization. Use <\/span><a href=\"\/iq\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DAT iQ<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> dashboards to monitor lane-level rate variance, contract-to-market alignment, and broader market conditions. If pricing drifts meaningfully from benchmarks or forecasts, consider a targeted mini-bid rather than waiting for the annual RFP.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This continuous procurement rhythm mirrors the shift toward agile supply-chain management. Organizations that adopt more frequent, data-informed sourcing cycles often see tighter contract alignment and improved cost stability across the year.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Collaboration also matters. Keep preferred carriers informed about upcoming cycles and market insights. Verified data from trusted third parties like DAT helps both sides adjust expectations, preserving relationships even when prices fluctuate. Over time, continuous optimization transforms procurement from a reaction to a routine discipline.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-1955f26 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1955f26\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-narrow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-5af96bd\" data-id=\"5af96bd\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-278934c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"278934c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Digitalization and the evolution of freight procurement<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f31b64 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5f31b64\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.bfldr.com\/8CX31GU6\/as\/3qc75ncfbnwbk32c5vj89gt\/DAT_iQ_Shipper_Maximize_Your_Mini_Bid_05172022\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Modern freight procurement<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is going digital \u2013 and for good reason. Shippers are opting for integrated, optimized workflows to replace the time-intensive manual spreadsheet and email thread approach. Digitalization shortens cycle time, improves accuracy, and provides unified visibility across all freight bidding activity.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DAT is helping shippers make that transition by providing a centralized workflow for procurement analytics and execution. Actionable rate intelligence, market benchmarks, and capacity insights are right where shippers need them during planning, execution, and post-award monitoring and governance.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a lightweight RFP workflow tool, DAT Bid streamlines the execution part, standardizing how invitations go out, providing visibility into responses, and providing insights that drive smarter awards. Every action is traceable, benchmarked, and documented.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The result is better collaboration too. Carriers and brokers get clear, structured invitations and consistent communication. Shippers get cleaner data and faster turnaround. Over time, that consistency builds the kind of relationships that hold up when the market gets tight.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the mini-bid era, digitalization isn\u2019t optional\u2014it\u2019s the foundation of a resilient, competitive supply chain. DAT Bid makes that transition straightforward \u2014 purpose-built for the way shippers actually run sourcing events, and backed by the market intelligence DAT iQ is known for.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-cbd624a elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"cbd624a\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-narrow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-e170cbd\" data-id=\"e170cbd\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9da7916 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9da7916\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Integrating mini-bids with your annual freight business RFP<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6af9a62 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6af9a62\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><a href=\"\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/resource-assets\/in-depth-guide\/107_DAT_iQ_Shipper_Ultimate_Guide_to_RFPs.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Annual RFPs remain essential<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for strategic alignment and long-term budgeting, but mini-bids extend their effectiveness. The best-practice model pairs an annual procurement event with quarterly or situational mini-bids guided by analytics.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During the RFP, shippers set base contracts and service standards. Mini-bids then adjust rates as market conditions evolve, ensuring continuity between planning and execution. <\/span><a href=\"\/iq\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DAT iQ<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> supports both: it benchmarks annual awards and monitors variance to flag when mid-cycle adjustments are warranted.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This hybrid approach delivers the predictability finance teams need and the agility operations require. Ultimately, it\u2019s how modern organizations balance risk management with cost control in the freight procurement process.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-5ca3f1e elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5ca3f1e\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-narrow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-bce0e04\" data-id=\"bce0e04\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d4a1486 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d4a1486\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Case spotlight: General Mills\u2019 adoption of mini-bids<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4398a05 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4398a05\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><a href=\"\/blog\/how-general-mills-incorporated-mini-bids-for-a-more-agile-supply-chain\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">General Mills<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> responded to pandemic-era volatility by embracing shorter contract durations and freight mini-bids (typically 3\u20136 month intervals). Instead of rebidding every lane annually, they use analytics to proxy new facilities via similar lanes, conduct mini-bids to test pricing, and then scrub results to refine future bids. Over time, they\u2019ve layered more frequent contract refreshes where volumes or supplier networks are uncertain\u2014creating flexibility without abandoning core procurement discipline. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-eaec30f elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"eaec30f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-narrow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-74554c9\" data-id=\"74554c9\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b65294 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3b65294\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Modern freight bidding starts with better data<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-19b4c2a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"19b4c2a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shippers who adopt mini-bids gain speed, control, and insight in markets that change daily. Data-backed agility beats guesswork every time.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With <\/span><a href=\"\/iq\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DAT iQ<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, transportation logistics and procurement teams access verified rate benchmarks, predictive forecasts, and market benchmarks and forecasting insights to make every procurement decision data-driven. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/connect.dat.com\/dat-bid-for-shippers\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DAT Bid<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> digitizes event management, transforming complex bid cycles into fast, repeatable workflows.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Together, they enable continuous procurement\u2014a smarter, modern way to manage costs, strengthen relationships, and ensure your network stays resilient no matter how the market moves.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-764109d1\" data-id=\"764109d1\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-724f5f3d\" data-id=\"724f5f3d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f9879ac elementor-widget elementor-widget-template\" data-id=\"f9879ac\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"template.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div 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data-widget_type=\"uael-social-share.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"uael-style-inline uael-container uael-floating-align-\" data-pin_data_url=\"\" data-share_url_type=\"current_page\" data-share_url=\"\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid uael-floating-align-\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a  class=\"uael-share-btn-facebook\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn elementor-animation- uaelbtn-shape-circle uaelbtn--skin-flat\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-share-btn__icon\" aria-label=\"Share on facebook\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fab fa-facebook\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a  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aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a  class=\"uael-share-btn-reddit\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn elementor-animation- uaelbtn-shape-circle uaelbtn--skin-flat\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-share-btn__icon\" aria-label=\"Share on reddit\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fab fa-reddit\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a  class=\"uael-share-btn-email\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn elementor-animation- uaelbtn-shape-circle uaelbtn--skin-flat\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-share-btn__icon\" aria-label=\"Share on email\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fas fa-envelope\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-45acce61 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"45acce61\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Related Articles<br><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6f8c8d3d elementor-grid-1 elementor-grid-tablet-1 elementor-grid-mobile-1 elementor-posts--thumbnail-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-posts\" data-id=\"6f8c8d3d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;classic_columns&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;classic_columns_tablet&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;classic_columns_mobile&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;classic_row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:35,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"posts.classic\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-posts-container elementor-posts elementor-posts--skin-classic elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-24819 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-uncategorized tag-long-form-seo-page\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/reduce-transportation-costs-freight-benchmarking\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1706\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/MRP26-31-How-shippers-use-freight-market-intelligence-to-reduce-transportation-costs-1-scaled.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-24825\" alt=\"Enterprise shipper using DAT freight market intelligence to benchmark transportation rates, reduce freight costs, and improve procurement decisions.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/MRP26-31-How-shippers-use-freight-market-intelligence-to-reduce-transportation-costs-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/MRP26-31-How-shippers-use-freight-market-intelligence-to-reduce-transportation-costs-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/MRP26-31-How-shippers-use-freight-market-intelligence-to-reduce-transportation-costs-1-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/MRP26-31-How-shippers-use-freight-market-intelligence-to-reduce-transportation-costs-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/MRP26-31-How-shippers-use-freight-market-intelligence-to-reduce-transportation-costs-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/MRP26-31-How-shippers-use-freight-market-intelligence-to-reduce-transportation-costs-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/reduce-transportation-costs-freight-benchmarking\" >\n\t\t\t\tHow shippers use freight market intelligence to reduce transportation costs\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__read-more-wrapper\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/reduce-transportation-costs-freight-benchmarking\" aria-label=\"Read more about How shippers use freight market intelligence to reduce transportation costs\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tLEARN MORE   <i class=\"fa fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-24803 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-uncategorized tag-long-form-seo-page\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/cost-of-bad-freight-data\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1350\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEO-MRP26-30-Whats-underneath-your-freight-rate-data_-The-cost-of-bad-freight-data-1-scaled.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-24813\" alt=\"Two freight shipping professionals looking at freight data on a piece of paper discussing how to improve it\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEO-MRP26-30-Whats-underneath-your-freight-rate-data_-The-cost-of-bad-freight-data-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEO-MRP26-30-Whats-underneath-your-freight-rate-data_-The-cost-of-bad-freight-data-1-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEO-MRP26-30-Whats-underneath-your-freight-rate-data_-The-cost-of-bad-freight-data-1-1024x540.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEO-MRP26-30-Whats-underneath-your-freight-rate-data_-The-cost-of-bad-freight-data-1-768x405.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEO-MRP26-30-Whats-underneath-your-freight-rate-data_-The-cost-of-bad-freight-data-1-1536x810.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/SEO-MRP26-30-Whats-underneath-your-freight-rate-data_-The-cost-of-bad-freight-data-1-2048x1080.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/cost-of-bad-freight-data\" >\n\t\t\t\tThe Cost of Bad Freight Data: Why What&#8217;s Underneath Your Rates Matters\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__read-more-wrapper\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/cost-of-bad-freight-data\" aria-label=\"Read more about The Cost of Bad Freight Data: Why What&#8217;s Underneath Your Rates Matters\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tLEARN MORE   <i class=\"fa fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-24752 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-uncategorized tag-long-form-seo-page\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/mini-bids-for-shippers\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/DAT-\u2022-LFMP25-29-\u2022-Mini-Bids-for-Shippers-Make-Faster-Smarter-Freight-Decisions-1-scaled.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-24781\" alt=\"Shipper reviewing freight shipping bids and DAT iQ market data to compare carrier rates and plan a faster, smarter mini-bid\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/DAT-\u2022-LFMP25-29-\u2022-Mini-Bids-for-Shippers-Make-Faster-Smarter-Freight-Decisions-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/DAT-\u2022-LFMP25-29-\u2022-Mini-Bids-for-Shippers-Make-Faster-Smarter-Freight-Decisions-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/DAT-\u2022-LFMP25-29-\u2022-Mini-Bids-for-Shippers-Make-Faster-Smarter-Freight-Decisions-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/DAT-\u2022-LFMP25-29-\u2022-Mini-Bids-for-Shippers-Make-Faster-Smarter-Freight-Decisions-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/DAT-\u2022-LFMP25-29-\u2022-Mini-Bids-for-Shippers-Make-Faster-Smarter-Freight-Decisions-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/DAT-\u2022-LFMP25-29-\u2022-Mini-Bids-for-Shippers-Make-Faster-Smarter-Freight-Decisions-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/mini-bids-for-shippers\" >\n\t\t\t\tMini-Bids for Shippers: Faster, Smarter Freight Decisions\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__read-more-wrapper\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/mini-bids-for-shippers\" aria-label=\"Read more about Mini-Bids for Shippers: Faster, Smarter Freight Decisions\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tLEARN MORE   <i class=\"fa fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-24767 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-uncategorized\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/rateview_for_shippers_overview\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1263\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AdobeStock_1929623763-edit-scaled.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-24769\" alt=\"rateview_for_shippers_overview\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AdobeStock_1929623763-edit-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AdobeStock_1929623763-edit-300x148.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AdobeStock_1929623763-edit-1024x505.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AdobeStock_1929623763-edit-768x379.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AdobeStock_1929623763-edit-1536x758.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AdobeStock_1929623763-edit-2048x1010.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/rateview_for_shippers_overview\" >\n\t\t\t\tDAT iQ RateView\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__read-more-wrapper\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/rateview_for_shippers_overview\" aria-label=\"Read more about DAT iQ RateView\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tLEARN MORE   <i class=\"fa fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-24747 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-uncategorized\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/why_dat_iq_data\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AdobeStock_1883279203-1-1-scaled.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-24749\" alt=\"The DAT iQ Difference: Reliable Data for Shippers\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AdobeStock_1883279203-1-1-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AdobeStock_1883279203-1-1-300x150.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AdobeStock_1883279203-1-1-1024x512.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AdobeStock_1883279203-1-1-768x384.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AdobeStock_1883279203-1-1-1536x768.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AdobeStock_1883279203-1-1-2048x1024.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/why_dat_iq_data\" >\n\t\t\t\tThe DAT iQ Difference: Reliable Data for Shippers\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__read-more-wrapper\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/why_dat_iq_data\" aria-label=\"Read more about The DAT iQ Difference: Reliable Data for Shippers\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tLEARN MORE   <i class=\"fa fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4a37418 elementor-section-full_width long-form-faq-sec elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4a37418\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-550dfe9c\" data-id=\"550dfe9c\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-46ca49ac elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"46ca49ac\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-7bafe106\" data-id=\"7bafe106\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6580a8f0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6580a8f0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>FAQs<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7e94fca5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7e94fca5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">A few things you might be asking yourself<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-53f57a91\" data-id=\"53f57a91\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1948ec00 elementor-widget elementor-widget-toggle\" data-id=\"1948ec00\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"toggle.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-4241\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-4241\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-down\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What is a mini-bid, and how does it differ from a traditional freight RFP?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-4241\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-4241\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A mini-bid is a faster, more targeted version of a traditional freight RFP. Instead of rebidding an entire network, shippers use mini-bids to adjust pricing or add carriers on select lanes. They typically run for a few weeks and use real-time <\/span><a href=\"\/iq\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DAT iQ<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> data to align freight contracts with current market rates. Through automation with the DAT bid tool, shippers can update rates quickly while maintaining carrier relationships and cost control.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-4242\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-4242\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-down\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What are the main types of bidding processes in freight procurement?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-4242\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-4242\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Freight procurement usually involves three methods: full freight RFPs for long-term strategy, mini-bids for targeted network adjustments, and spot bids for immediate needs. RFP contracts build long-term stability, while mini-bids add agility and market alignment. Spot bids fill last-minute gaps. Together, they help shippers balance flexibility and control. DAT iQ streamlines all three processes to keep pricing competitive and data-driven.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-4243\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-4243\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-down\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How does the mini-bid process work for shippers, step by step?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-4243\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-4243\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shippers can use Benchmark to identify lanes or carriers with cost or service issues. Then, they can run a quick RFP in DAT Bid to address those issues, using integrated RateView rate data to make data-backed, defensible decisions. After awarding contracts, teams can easily export and upload that data to their TMS, then continuously evaluate performance in Benchmark to monitor impact and inform future sourcing decisions. This cycle helps shippers stay agile and ensure every contract reflects real market conditions.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-4244\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-4244\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-down\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How can shippers run mini-bids more efficiently?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-4244\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-4244\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shippers can run mini-bids more efficiently by replacing spreadsheets and email threads with a structured digital workflow. A bid tool standardizes RFP distribution, collects responses in a consistent format, and simplifies quote comparison\u2014reducing administrative friction and shortening turnaround time. When paired with DAT iQ benchmarks and forecasting insights, teams can evaluate pricing against current market conditions and make more defensible award decisions. This combination supports faster sourcing cycles, clearer documentation, and stronger alignment between procurement strategy and real-time market intelligence\u2014without increasing operational complexity.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7062731b elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7062731b\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1e74d368\" data-id=\"1e74d368\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5beaf70b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5beaf70b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Run better freight bids with DAT iQ insights<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-817d6c8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"817d6c8\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-6193743d\" data-id=\"6193743d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-41b728a5 long-form-quote-sec elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"41b728a5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">DAT iQ modernizes procurement end-to-end, giving shippers the rate intelligence, market benchmarks, and capacity insights to make confident decisions at every stage of the freight cycle. DAT Bid puts that intelligence to work inside your sourcing events, from RFP setup and carrier invitations through bid analysis and awarding, replacing the manual process with a faster, more organized workflow.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Together, they help shippers build freight networks that sustain coverage, strengthen relationships, and stay aligned with market conditions year-round. Make every bid decision faster and smarter. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/connect.dat.com\/dat-bid-for-shippers\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">See DAT Bid in action.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-696c8f33\" data-id=\"696c8f33\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-269f3e52 pricing-boxv2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"269f3e52\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\">\t\t\n                \t\t\t                \t\t\t\n\n                \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-13df4eae elementor-section-full_width elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"13df4eae\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4d832d9\" data-id=\"4d832d9\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-42a6f89 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"42a6f89\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Add Your Heading Text Here<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-1d166ef0 long-form-relevent-prod elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1d166ef0\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-36cdc73\" data-id=\"36cdc73\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f5f2590 product-img elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4f5f2590\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"645\" height=\"774\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/d070e6e7-636d-42d5-a71e-24bc0b341e52.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-21534\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/d070e6e7-636d-42d5-a71e-24bc0b341e52.png 645w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/d070e6e7-636d-42d5-a71e-24bc0b341e52-250x300.png 250w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 645px) 100vw, 645px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-75dade8d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"75dade8d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Heading<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-17ff778d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"17ff778d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65299cbb elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"65299cbb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"#\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Learn More<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-3652b7d7\" data-id=\"3652b7d7\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1501d88f product-img elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"1501d88f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"645\" height=\"774\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/d070e6e7-636d-42d5-a71e-24bc0b341e52.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-21534\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/d070e6e7-636d-42d5-a71e-24bc0b341e52.png 645w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/d070e6e7-636d-42d5-a71e-24bc0b341e52-250x300.png 250w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 645px) 100vw, 645px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-136cd0b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"136cd0b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Heading<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ebda94e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ebda94e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-785545f0 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"785545f0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"#\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Learn More<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-6d93473f\" data-id=\"6d93473f\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3c7c641d product-img elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3c7c641d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"645\" height=\"774\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/d070e6e7-636d-42d5-a71e-24bc0b341e52.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-21534\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/d070e6e7-636d-42d5-a71e-24bc0b341e52.png 645w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/d070e6e7-636d-42d5-a71e-24bc0b341e52-250x300.png 250w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 645px) 100vw, 645px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-51678696 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"51678696\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Heading<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d8f37e5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5d8f37e5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-752de887 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"752de887\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"#\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Learn More<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5bda1d27 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5bda1d27\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1c08daba\" data-id=\"1c08daba\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-4e09a488 elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4e09a488\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-2c25cadf\" data-id=\"2c25cadf\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-781693b5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"781693b5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Need more solutions? <br \/>\nTake  a look at everything we have to offer<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-39347e31 elementor-align-center elementor-mobile-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"39347e31\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-xl\" href=\"\/products\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">See All Products<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Freight markets now shift faster than annual RFPs can adapt, making agility and data essential to procurement. Mini-bids\u2014short, targeted freight bidding events\u2014help shippers realign pricing,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":24781,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[71],"class_list":["post-24752","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-long-form-seo-page"],"acf":{"contentType":"13","enable_arrow_icon":"no_button","featured":"0","releaseDate":"July 13, 2026","solutionProduct":["6","7","8","9","16"],"segment":"shipper","segment_copy":["shipper"],"topics":["2"],"keywords":"Mini-bids, freight mini-bid, freight procurement, shipper RFP, contract lane bidding, freight bid management, DAT Bid, DAT iQ, freight rate benchmarking, mini-bid strategy, freight sourcing, spot rate management, carrier procurement, freight contract management, RFP workflow tool","video_link":"","audio_link":"","header_button_shortcode":"[resource_assets_header_btn]","button_label":"","internalUrl":"","button_target":"_blank","secondary_optional_buttonheader":null,"button_label__detail_page_optional":"","button_link_detailsub_page_bottom_section":"","featured_image_detailsub_page_optional":"","pricing_box":[{"header_title":"DAT Bid for Shippers","price_prefix":"","price":"","price_suffix":"","features":"<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><i class=\"far fa-check-circle\" style=\"padding-bottom: 10px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400; padding-left: 6px;\">Purpose-built RFP workflow for freight procurement<\/span>\r\n<i class=\"far fa-check-circle\" style=\"padding-bottom: 10px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400; padding-left: 6px;\">Centralize bids and eliminate email threads<\/span>\r\n<i class=\"far fa-check-circle\" style=\"padding-bottom: 10px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400; padding-left: 6px;\">Compare bids against live DAT market benchmarks<\/span>\r\n<i class=\"far fa-check-circle\" style=\"padding-bottom: 10px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400; padding-left: 6px;\">Track partner communication and participation<\/span>\r\n<i class=\"far fa-check-circle\" style=\"padding-bottom: 10px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400; padding-left: 6px;\">No IT implementation required<\/span><\/p>","button_text":"REQUEST A CONSULTATION","button_link":"https:\/\/connect.dat.com\/dat-bid-for-shippers","additional_info":"","target":"_blank"}],"disclaimer":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Mini-Bids for Shippers: Faster, Smarter Freight Decisions<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Mini-bids help shippers update rates, fix underperforming lanes, and stay competitive between annual RFPs. 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