Privacy policy

Effective October 21, 2026. Applies to greatlakesbids.com and to email with Great Lakes Bids (“we”).

The short version

• This website uses no cookies, no analytics, no ads, and no trackers. The contact form only opens your own email app. The only feature that sends data to us is the optional site chat, described below.
• We use what you email us only to answer you and to do the work you ask for.
• We don’t sell or rent your information, and we don’t share it for anyone else’s marketing.

What we collect

• What you send us: your name, business email, company details, the solicitations you’re interested in, and the documents you share for a project.
• Site chat: if you use the chat, we collect your messages, the email address you choose to give (optional), the page you were on, and the time. To stop abuse we count messages per IP address using a one-way coded (hashed) version of the address; we don’t store the raw IP with your chat.
• Website server logs: our hosting provider, Netlify, may automatically log basic request data (IP address, browser type, page requested, time) for security and operations. We don’t use these logs to profile visitors.
• Public business data: we research public government records (for example USAspending.gov award data and public bid postings), which can include business names and contract details.

How we use it

• To reply to you, prepare go/no-go reads, quotes, and deliverables, and to bill you.
• To send the weekly digest if you asked for it, or other business email permitted by law. Every marketing email says it’s an advertisement, includes our postal address, and has a working unsubscribe. We honor opt-outs within 10 business days and never sell or transfer opted-out addresses.

Site chat

• You’re chatting with an AI assistant. Chat replies are written by an AI assistant that works for Great Lakes Bids. A person can step in if needed. Chat answers are general information, not legal advice, and are not a quote or a promise unless we confirm it in writing.
• Replies usually take a few minutes. If you leave your email, we may also reply by email about your question. We won’t add you to marketing email from a chat unless you ask.
• Don’t share passwords, login or verification codes, CUI, ITAR or other export-controlled information, or classified information in the chat.
• Chat messages are stored with our hosting provider, Netlify, and read by our AI assistant and our team. They’re deleted automatically after 90 days, unless a chat becomes part of a client project or we must keep it by law. The chat uses no cookies; it keeps your conversation in your browser only until you close the tab.
• To have a chat deleted sooner, email operations@greatlakesbids.com.

Service providers, including AI tools

We use a small number of providers to run the business: email, file storage, hosting, payments, and AI software that helps us read solicitations and draft documents. They process information on our behalf only to provide those services. Client materials are used only for that client’s bids and are never shared with other clients. We don’t accept CUI, export-controlled, or classified information. Please don’t send it.

Keeping and deleting

We keep project files for as long as needed to serve you, and to meet legal and tax record-keeping. We keep a reusable document library for you only with your permission. Ask us at operations@greatlakesbids.com to see, correct, or delete your information, and we’ll respond within 30 days, subject to records we must keep by law.

Security

The site is served over HTTPS. We limit who can see client files and use multi-factor authentication on our accounts. No system is perfectly secure, so please send only what a project needs.

Children

This site is for businesses and isn’t directed to children under 13.

Changes and contact

If we change this policy, we’ll update the date above. Questions: operations@greatlakesbids.com, or write to 3721 W Michigan Ave, Ste 303 #265, Lansing, MI 48917.