Registration is now open to all suppliers interested in participating in Round 1 2017 of the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program. In order to submit a bid, you are required to register in CMS' Enterprise Identity Management (EIDM) system to obtain a user ID and password to access the online DMEPOS bidding system (DBidS).

Designate one individual listed as an authorized official (AO) on your organization's CMS-855S enrollment application in the Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS) to act as your AO for registration purposes. The AO must be the first person in the organization to register in EIDM. After an AO successfully registers, other individuals listed as an AO on the CMS-855S in PECOS may register as back-up authorized officials (BAOs). The AO must approve a BAO's request to register. For the AO and BAOs to register successfully, the name and Social Security number entered in EIDM must match exactly with what is recorded on the CMS-855S and on file in PECOS. Individuals not listed as an AO on the CMS-855S in PECOS may only register to serve as end users (EUs). The AO or a BAO must approve an EU's request to register. Bidders are prohibited from sharing user IDs and passwords.

We strongly urge all AOs to register no later than September 21, 2015, to ensure that BAOs and EUs have time to register. We recommend that BAOs register no later than October 19, 2015, so that they will be able to assist AOs with approving EU registration before bidding begins on October 15, 2015.

Registration has been extended and will close on Friday, November 20, 2015, at 9pm prevailing ET – no AOs, BAOs, or EUs can register after registration closes. You will not be able to bid if you do not register on time. Bidding will close on Wednesday, December 16, 2015.

Register by clicking on REGISTRATION IS OPEN above the Registration clock on the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) website. We strongly recommend that you review the EIDM Reference Guide and the EIDM: Getting Started Registration Checklist.

The CBIC is the official information source for bidders. All suppliers interested in bidding are urged to sign up for "E-mail Updates" on the home page of the CBIC website. For information about Round 1 2017, please refer to the bidder education materials located under "Bidding Suppliers" on the CBIC Round 1 2017 web page. The CBIC participates in numerous educational events to assist stakeholders in understanding the rules that govern the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program. Visit the CBIC website for a listing and schedule of educational events under the Educational Information section of the Round 1 2017 page.

In addition to viewing the information on the CBIC website, suppliers are encouraged to call the CBIC customer service center toll-free, at 877-577-5331. During registration and bidding periods, the customer service center will be open between 9am - 7pm prevailing ET, Monday through Friday. Hours are extended to 9pm prevailing ET during the last two weeks of the registration and bidding windows.

Visit cgsmedicare.com for more information.