Unison Marketplace

Unison Marketplace is a commercial eProcurement platform that facilitates reverse auction procurement for federal and state government agencies, enabling vendors to compete in real-time electronic bidding events where the lowest responsive bid wins the award.

What is Unison Marketplace?

Unison Marketplace (formerly known as FedBid) is operated by Unison and provides a reverse auction platform where government buyers post procurement requirements and registered vendors submit competitive bids in real time. Unlike sealed bidding where vendors submit one bid before a deadline, reverse auctions allow vendors to see the current low bid and submit lower bids during the auction window - creating price competition that often drives costs down for the government.

The platform is authorized for use under SAM.gov BPA (Blanket Purchase Agreement) procedures and is commonly used for simplified acquisitions and certain commodity purchases where price is the primary evaluation criterion. Common categories include IT hardware and peripherals, office supplies, commercial software licenses, and standardized equipment. The Department of Defense has been a significant user of the platform for tactical purchasing needs, and many civilian agencies use it for simplified acquisition buys.

Vendor registration on Unison Marketplace is free. Registered vendors can search active auctions by NAICS code, product category, or agency, receive notifications for relevant auctions, and participate in bidding events. The platform provides real-time visibility into the current low bid, allowing vendors to make informed decisions about whether to submit a lower price. Awards are typically made within days of auction close, making this a faster procurement cycle than traditional sealed bidding processes.

Why Unison Marketplace matters for government contractors

For product and commodity vendors, Unison Marketplace can be a significant source of small to mid-size purchase orders from federal agencies. The reverse auction model rewards vendors who have efficient pricing and strong supply chain relationships. Professional services firms that primarily pursue services contracts may find Unison Marketplace less relevant, but product distributors, IT value-added resellers, and commercial equipment suppliers frequently find it a productive channel alongside SAM.gov monitoring.

Example

A small business IT value-added reseller specializing in commercial off-the-shelf networking equipment monitors Unison Marketplace for auctions matching its product catalog. The firm receives a notification for a DoD base purchasing a quantity of commercial routers with standard specifications. The firm enters the auction at its standard government pricing, watches two competitors undercut its initial bid, and submits a revised bid at its floor price. The auction closes with the firm's final bid as the lowest, and the firm receives a purchase order two days after auction close - a procurement cycle of under two weeks from notification to award.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Unison Marketplace the same as FedBid?

Yes. FedBid was the earlier brand name for the platform that is now operated by Unison under the Unison Marketplace brand. The platform underwent rebranding following Unison's acquisition. The core reverse auction functionality remains the same under both names.

Can I use Unison Marketplace for services contracts?

Unison Marketplace is primarily used for commercial product and equipment purchases where price comparison is straightforward. Services contracts - particularly professional or technical services requiring evaluation of qualifications and technical approach - are less suited to the reverse auction format and are more commonly procured through traditional sealed bidding on SAM.gov. Some simple, well-defined service categories may appear on Unison Marketplace, but it is not the primary channel for services.

What is the typical value of purchases on Unison Marketplace?

Purchases on Unison Marketplace typically fall within the simplified acquisition threshold ($250,000) range, with many individual auctions for commercial items ranging from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. The platform is well-suited for the high-volume, lower-value purchasing that agencies do routinely for commercial goods.

Do awards on Unison Marketplace appear in USAspending.gov?

Yes. Awards made through Unison Marketplace are federal procurement actions that must be reported in FPDS and appear in USAspending.gov. The reporting timeline and completeness depends on the agency's reporting practices, but completed Unison Marketplace purchases should be visible in USAspending data within the standard reporting window.