The initial registration process is now open and available to all suppliers interested in participating in the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program. Interested suppliers will submit their bids using an internet application. To help ensure the privacy of all bids, all suppliers must complete initial registration in the internet application to get a USER ID and password. Suppliers need to complete this initial registration process early. We strongly recommend that they do so well before the bid window opens to avoid a delay in being able to submit bids. Bidding is currently scheduled to open in late April 2007.

The initial registration process requires the authorized official, as identified in Section 15 of the CMS 855S, to complete the information required in the internet application. The authorized official's information must match the information on file at the National Supplier Clearinghouse. The USER ID and password will be mailed to the authorized official if his/her submitted information matches exactly the data on file for last name, date of birth, Social Security number and supplier number. The USER ID and password will be delivered in 2 separate mailings to the authorized official at the correspondence address (Section 2A.2) listed on the CMS 855S. An authorized official only needs ONE USER ID and password in order to submit bids for any company for which he/she was listed as the authorized official on the CMS 855S. To complete this initial registration and obtain a USER ID and password, please go to https://applications.cms.hhs.gov/.

Suppliers must have the USER ID and password before they can enter a bid into the competitive bidding internet application. However, the USER ID and password cannot be used until the bidding window opens, which is expected in late April 2007.

Please read the user guide for the Individuals Authorized Access to CMS Computer Services (IACS) application before attempting initial registration. This guide can be found on the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor's website at http://www.dmecompetitivebid.com/cbic/cbic.nsf/(pages)/home. If you have any questions about the initial registration process, please contact the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) helpdesk on 1-877-577-5331. The helpdesk will be available Monday - Friday 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. prevailing Eastern Time and on Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. prevailing Eastern Time.

An MLN Matters article regarding this registration process will be forthcoming. Additional information on the DMEPOS Competitive Bid Program can be found in MLN Matters article MM5574 at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM5574.pdf.

Information on accreditation for suppliers can be found in MLN Matters article SE0713 at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0713.pdf.

Important note: For added security, when suppliers use their USER IDs and passwords to access the Competitive Bid Submission System for the first time, they will need to complete a brief authentication process. The information required for this process must also match the information in the National Supplier Clearinghouse file. If you successfully completed the initial registration and received your USER ID and password, please enter your information exactly as you did for initial registration when completing the Competitive Bid Submission System authentication process. Failure to do so may delay your ability to use the system.