This article explains the Project bidding status.
The General Contractor sets the project's bidding status to inform subcontractors/suppliers of what stage of the bidding process the project is in.
Budgeting/Planning: Owners and Architects are still developing the plans to fit into a certain budget. Often times plans will change and you may be several times until the plans fit within the budget.
GC and Sub Bidding: Plans are finalized and Owners have invited their private list of General Contractors (GCs) to submit proposals to them. The GCs will post these projects for subcontractors to bid to them and help them win. Subcontractors will find that they may bid to several GCs in this stage.
GC Awarded / Sub Bidding: The Owners have awarded one GC to perform the work on this project (Or they may be a Design/Build GC and have owned the project from the start). At this stage, subcontractors will be submitting and dealing with one GC. As a subcontractor, the bidding and negotiation/award process moves much quicker.
Closed/Subcontractor Awarded: The GC has closed bidding and has awarded all their subcontractors.