A southern state recently ran paper and ink toner annual purchase contracts through eBridge.  All government entities in the state will be able to purchase off these state contracts and the value is expected to be in excess of $7 million.  The bids were extremely competitive, showing the significance of reverse auctions in achieving true market value for the buyer.  In the end, the low bidders were separated by less than 1% on every key lot.   Specifically, in one lot (valued at $1 million), first and second place were separated by only $23 after lowering their bids multiple times.  There has been a significant increase in the price of paper over the last year, due to rising fuel costs.  Despite that increase, the state will be paying less for 8 ½ x 11 copy paper under the new contract than it did under the old contract, which was run using traditional methods.  Initial estimates are that the state saved at least $500,000 by utilizing the eBridge reverse auction.