editing document in word (policies) does not save in submittable form

we are Fund members. When we are drafting final policies we open and edit them in word from the edt software. when we save our work from word it does save it as an "edited" document in the document management portal, but it does NOT save it in an acceptable format for Policy submit. We are forced to open the file again in word, save the file as a pdf or .word document onto our own computer then, upload the file into our document management portal. there must be an easier way or way to auto save in an acceptable format.

I think edt auto saves as RTF file.....but edt policy submit does not allow that format.