Catalyzes the transformation of pimelate into pimeloyl-CoA with concomitant hydrolysis of ATP to AMP. ATP + CoA + heptanedioate = 6-carboxyhexanoyl-CoA + AMP + diphosphate Metabolic intermediate metabolism; pimeloyl-CoA biosynthesis; pimeloyl-CoA from pimelate: step 1/1. Homodimer. Belongs to the BioW family.