White Paper: Is Benchmarking the Future of Bidding?

During the volatility of the past three years, significant changes have rocked the trucking industry. Shippers that had once largely avoided the spot market found themselves reliant on it, with outdated contract rates forcing higher tender rejections.

In order to secure capacity, shippers increasingly shortened their contract bid cycles from a yearly basis to a quarterly or even monthly one. Still, shifting market conditions made it harder than ever to stay on top of capacity and rates.

This instability drove widespread investments in freight procurement softwares that allow shippers to gain increased control and flexibility by conducting more frequent bids. Once labor-intensive and expensive, the request-for-proposal (RFP) process is now streamlined and virtually free, thanks to cutting-edge tools from companies such as Emerge. Shippers are taking notice of this shift, with many embracing shorter contract terms on their most-difficult-to-cover lanes.

FreightWaves partnered with Emerge to survey shippers on their preferred contract terms, current procurement processes and the challenges faced throughout bid season in order to understand how they are using (or neglecting) emergent software solutions.

Complete the form below to download your complimentary copy of the complete white paper.

Upcoming FreightWaves Events
Compliance

Brokerage Compliance Symposium

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
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Awards

F3 Awards Dinner

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
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FreightTech

F3: Future of Freight Festival

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

October 27, 2026 – October 28, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
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Compliance Brokerage Compliance Symposium Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
Awards F3 Awards Dinner Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
FreightTech F3: Future of Freight Festival Oct 27 – Oct 28 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now