New tool helps agencies find vendors on GSA Advantage!
Federal shoppers at the government's online superstore can reach vendors more easily with a tool unveiled Wednesday by the General Services Administration.
The tool, E-buy, allows agencies to get bids from vendors for any of the 3 million products and services sold through GSA Advantage!, the online catalog for items in the GSA schedules program. With E-buy, contracting officers can describe a service or product they need and then post a request for quote (RFQ), which invites eligible vendors to bid for the work.
The tool should make it easier for agencies to buy services and big shipments of products through GSA Advantage!, according to Roger Waldron, director of the acquisition management center in the Office of Acquisition at GSA's Federal Supply Service.
"We have specified ordering procedures for services that talk about preparing a statement of work, and E-buy fits right in on that, and with regard to products, we see [E-buy] as a great tool if you have large quantities you want to purchase of the schedule," Waldron said.
GSA originally launched E-buy in June 2001, but the version released Wednesday makes it easier for agencies and vendors to find one another through GSA Advantage!, GSA officials said. For example, the new E-buy catalogs all RFQs, so companies can see what agencies are looking for. The catalog feature also allows vendors to submit bids even if they are not invited to compete on a given RFQ, according to Waldron.
"If [companies] are interested in submitting an offer they can submit an offer, or they could contact the contracting officer and ask about subcontracting opportunities as well," he said.
The new E-buy simplifies how vendors are classified within GSA Advantage!, making it easier for agencies to find them. It automatically includes all vendors listed on GSA Advantage! The earlier version of E-buy required companies already listed on GSA Advantage! to register separately for the E-buy service.
Agencies can submit elaborate statements of work online through E-Buy, eliminating the need to use faxes or phone calls for some parts of the negotiation process.
The new E-buy reflects several suggestions from agencies and vendors, according to GSA officials. GSA has also trained federal contracting officers on how to use the new system and has plans to hold more training sessions throughout the country. "All of the classes we've given have been standing room only, so that lets us know the [agency] buyers are, in fact, interested," said Doris Marsh, GSA's E-buy coordinator.
Contracting officers can take an online tutorial on E-buy at GSA Advantage! or call the GSA Advantage! help desk if they have questions about using the new tool.