Generation of cost or price quotations

1. A method for generating a master price quotation, comprising:

(a) a representative (i) creating a list comprising a plurality of items to be included within a master price quotation and (ii) submitting the list to an automated bidding agent;

(b) in response, the automated bidding agent by executing instructions on a processor-based system communicating requests for quotations to different automated entity agents for different groups of items on the list, each said automated entity agent corresponding to a different entity and each group comprising at least one of the items; and

(c) the automated bidding agent by executing instructions on the processor-based system receiving the quotations from the automated entity agents, selecting a best quotation for each group, and communicating the best quotations to the representative for inclusion within the master price quotation.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the automated bidding agent is configured so as to preclude the representative from accessing quotations that competed with the best quotation.

3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the automated entity agents is configured to respond to requests for quotations from the automated bidding agent automatically, without human interaction, based on a local pricing model.

4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the automated bidding agent includes a user interface for a user to specify which entities will receive requests for quotations for a particular item or a particular group of items.

5. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising a step of automatically tracking responsiveness to the requests for quotations of different entities.

6. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising receiving bids from different entities across a plurality of different projects and automatically maintaining and analyzing statistics regarding amounts set forth in the bids by the different entities.

7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the representative also designates at least one customer requirement pertaining to the at least one item as being potentially subject to change, and wherein the automated bidding agent includes said designation in the requests for quotations.

8. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising receiving bids by different entities, wherein the automated bidding agent includes an interface for the representative to specify adjustments of the bids.

9. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the automated bidding agent conducts an auction in which the automated entity agents have the ability to view each other's quotations and, in response, to submit revised quotations.

10. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the list submitted by the representative includes requirements specified in a structured manner, in accordance with a previously published format.

11. A method according to claim 10 , wherein the list also includes unstructured requirements.

12. A method according to claim 11 , wherein all of the requirements are communicated to each automated entity agent that is requested to submit a quotation.

13. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the automated bidding agent automatically incorporates said best quotations into the master price quotation.

14. A method for generating a master price quotation, comprising:

(a) a deal architect (i) creating a list that includes a plurality of items to be included within a master price quotation and (ii) submitting the list to an automated bidding agent;

(b) in response, the automated bidding agent by executing instructions on a processor-based system dividing the list into groups of items, each group comprising at least one item, and communicating requests for quotations to different automated entity agents for different groups; and

(c) the automated bidding agent by executing instructions on the processor-based system receiving the quotations from the automated entity agents, selecting a best quotation for each different group, and communicating the best quotations to the deal architect for inclusion within the master price quotation.

15. A method according to claim 14 , wherein at least one of the automated entity agents is configured to respond to requests for quotation from the automated bidding agent automatically, without human interaction, based on a local pricing model, in specified circumstances.

16. A method according to claim 15 , wherein the automated bidding agent automatically incorporates said best quotations into the master price quotation.

17. A method according to claim 15 , wherein the at least one of the automated entity agents generates its quotation based on a pricing model that was specially modified for a particular project to which the master price quotation applies.

18. A computer-readable medium storing computer-executable process steps for generating a master price quotation, said process steps comprising:

(a) obtaining a list that includes a plurality of items to be included within a master price quotation;

(b) in response, dividing the list into different groups of items, each group comprising at least one item, and then, for the different groups, communicating requests for quotations to different entities; and

(c) receiving the quotations from the different entities, selecting a best quotation, and incorporating the best quotation into at least an initial draft of the master price quotation.

19. A computer-readable medium according to claim 18 , wherein the requests for quotations with respect to at least one of the different groups include requirements specified in a structured manner, in accordance with a previously published format, and also include unstructured requirements.