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**February 2007**

**LIST OF ARTICLES**

*Welcome*

*IAE is One of 20 Excellence.Gov Award Finalists for 2007*

*FAI and IAE PMO Collaborate to Update DAU Online Courses*

*FBO Adds New Search Feature*

*IAE Announces New Project Managers*

*Spotlight on Reverse Auctions*

*Intragovernmental Business Rules*

*More Updates for EPLS*

*System Updates*

*2006 Marks Completion of Major Milestones for FPDS-NG*

*IAE's Strategic Partnership with Grants.gov*

**WELCOME**

Welcome to the February 2007 Integrated Acquisition Environment (IAE)
newsletter, "IAE Quarterly," your source for information about the IAE
E-Gov initiative. We hope you will enjoy our new electronic format! We
think this format better represents the streamlined, ever changing
environment that is IAE. Be sure to let us know what you think of the
new format or how we can revise it to better meet your needs.

We hope this issue is interesting reading and will update everyone on
the events and achievements of IAE.

One exciting report is that IAE has been selected as one of the
finalists for the annual Industry Advisory Council Excellence.Gov awards
program. The top 5 winners will be announced at an awards ceremony
February 20. Also EPLS continues to get enhancements and new
functionality as does FBO. There are several personnel changes and we
hope you will have the opportunity to work with the new Project
Managers. We invite e-mails, comments, suggestions and articles for the
newsletter. Please contact us at <integrated.acquisition@gsa.gov>.

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**IAE is One of 20 Excellence.Gov Award Finalists for 2007**

On January 8, the Industry Advisory Council (IAC) announced that IAE has
been selected out of 115 entries as one of the "Top 20" candidates for
the seventh annual Excellence.Gov awards program. Ms. Emily Murphy, GSA
Chief Acquisition Officer, expressed her support and pride in the IAE
program noting that this was the only GSA managed program in the "Top
20."

The finalists were selected by a panel of 23 judges, representing both
government and industry, for demonstrating excellence in this year's
theme of Leveraging Technology to Enhance Collaboration. This award is
presented by the IAC as part of their mission to foster improved
communication and understanding between government and industry. This
year's theme was "Leveraging Technology to Enhance Collaboration." Five
winners will be selected from the 20 finalists and recognized for their
achievements at an awards ceremony to be held February 20. There will
also be a panel March 20 where the winners will share their
accomplishments and lessons learned. Congratulations to all of you who
made IAE a success!

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**FAI and IAE PMO Collaborate to Update DAU Online Courses**

In September 2006, the Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI) was invited
by the IAE Program Management Office (PMO) to join a working group to
improve Federal Procurement Data Systems-Next Generation (FPDS-NG) data
quality. The purpose of these meetings was to determine if FPDS-NG data
quality and accuracy could be improved by including more information on
FPDS-NG in the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) curriculum.

End users needed to better understand how this data is used and the
importance of accurate data entry. One conclusion of these meetings was
that FAI and the IAE PMO needed to review the existing DAU courses
(specifically CON 100, CON 110, CON 111, and CON 112) where FPDS-NG and
the other IAE systems were referred to and make sure the material was
accurate and up-to-date. Use of most of these systems is mandated by the
Federal Acquisition Regulation. Providing updated information on these
required systems will allow the acquisition workforce to do their jobs
better and more efficiently and enable agencies to better accomplish
mission goals. Additionally, this working collaboration between DAU/FAI
and IAE will strengthen the ability of DAU/FAI to provide updated
coursework for the up-and-coming generation of acquisition
professionals. Other actions to specifically target FPDS-NG data are in
the works to include special sessions at both GSA Expo and the Federal
Acquisition Conference and Expo (FACE).

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**FBO Adds New Search Feature\
**

The IAE Program Office and the FedBizOpps (FBO) support team are proud
to announce the addition of a new search feature to FBO which will allow
users to find information quicker by performing a \"Quick Search\"
directly from the homepage. This is the first major change to FBO in
three years. This robust, state-of-the-art search feature allows users
to search over 3 terabytes of information.

The development of the new search feature is part of the ongoing effort
to make FBO, a foundation system of IAE, up-to-date and easier to use.

The quick search feature is located near the top left hand corner of the
homepage. This allows you to make keyword searches for words or phrases
that relate to your business. Please use double quotation marks to
enclose phrases and solicitation numbers. Click the \[go\] button to
produce a listing of all the documents that match the keyword(s) you
entered. Click the Advanced Search \[go\] button to utilize a variety of
other search options. These fields include searching by procurement
classification codes, NAICS codes, solicitation number, specified date
ranges, place of performance, set-aside codes, and agencies. We
recommend you only use a few of the search options; do not use all of
them or you will narrow the search too far. Click \"Start Search\" and
your results will be displayed.

We hope you find the \"Quick Search\" feature helpful. Comments received
on the search feature to date have been overwhelmingly positive.
Upcoming plans for FBO include the merging of FedTeDS into FBO,
inclusion of a bid module, and inclusion of small purchases so
acquisitions of all dollar amounts are advertised. Check out the new
search feature at [www.fbo.gov](http://www.fbo.gov/) or
[www.fedbizopps.gov](http://www.fedbizopps.gov/). If you need any
assistance our support team is on hand and ready to help.

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**IAE Announces New Project Managers**

The New Year is ushering in new roles and new faces to the IAE Project
Management team. Stan Dubowski has taken a new opportunity at DOD's
Business Transformation Agency (BTA) so Thuy Lindsey has taken over the
role of Project Manager (PM) for CCR and FedReg. Kyle Bond of BTA will
continue in the role of Deputy PM. Thuy was the PM for ORCA since 2004
and currently works for BTA.

She has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Mathematics and
Statistics and an MS in Operations Research. She has extensive
experience as a computer scientist, project leader, and program manager.
Thuy will also serve as acting Federal Program PM for DOD, serving in
the role Linda Adams filled prior to her retirement, as the liaison
between DOD and the IAE PMO, until that job is filled. Her deputy will
be Major Donald Jean. Thuy will be busy, but with a third degree black
belt in Taekwondo, she's clearly tough enough to run all these programs!

With Thuy picking up the responsibilities of CCR and the Federal Program
PM, Mark Gaillard of BTA will step up to take on the duties of ORCA PM.
Mark has a degree in Business (Marketing) and a Master's in Business
Administration. After serving in the Army he joined private industry as
an information systems manager, then in 2003 became the Contracting
Officer for the Business Management Modernization Program at the Defense
Finance and Accounting Service. He currently serves as the Deputy for
BTA Contracting Operations. Join us in welcoming Mark Gaillard to the
IAE team.

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**Spotlight on Reverse Auctions**

The concept of a "reverse auction" has been around for some time.
However, until the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) was changed in
1997 to allow their use and web-based software applications were
developed to facilitate their utility, reverse auctions were unavailable
to the federal buyer.

Within the framework of federal procurement a reverse auction is a
pricing tool, the main goal of which is to drive purchase prices
downward. It's the type of auction in which the role of the buyer and
seller are reversed. In a traditional auction, such as those conducted
on eBay, buyers compete for the right to obtain a good. In a federal
reverse auction, contractors compete for award of a contract. Today,
reverse auctions offer the ability to conduct real-time price
competitions within hours. The process allows the government to reveal
to each offeror the prices offered by all other offerors (anonymously).
Offerors then have the chance to continually revise their prices as each
revision is revealed to all of the offerors. The process is repeated
until all offerors stop "bidding" or until the auction closes. For more
information on reverse auctions, see
[Wikipedia®](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_auction#External_links).

Notwithstanding the availability of the reverse auction pricing
technique, its use within the federal sector is hardly widespread. The
reasons for this are not well documented and may range from a lack of
clear regulatory guidance to perceptions that the reverse auction
process is too complex or onerous for contractors and the federal buyer.

In order to develop a clearer picture of the benefits and challenges
associated with reverse auctions, OFPP has chartered an inter-agency
work group to review the regulations, policies, and business
considerations related to their use. Although the work group's charter
covers all types of commercially available online procurement services,
their focus initially is on reverse auction applications. This was
prompted chiefly by a mandate to OMB in the Conference Report for the
National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2006 requiring such an
analysis.

It is OMB's position that reverse auctions offer potential savings to
the taxpayer by increasing both government efficiencies and broader
supplier participation. Other benefits related to spend analysis, a
critical aspect to successful strategic sourcing, may also exist.

OFPP is eager to study the advantages and disadvantages of these
services with the intent of developing helpful guidance as needed. The
work group will, at a minimum:

-   consider lessons learned to date;

-   issue an OFPP Best Practices guide;

-   map the procurement process when using reverse auctions;

-   draft any FAR changes that may be needed to establish a positive
    role for reverse auctions;

-   obtain information and assess the private sector in their use of
    reverse auctions; and

-   establish expectations on the overall utility of using reverse
    auctions.

In order to accomplish these goals the work group will be soliciting
input from a broad array of federal acquisition professionals and from
the private sector. We encourage the readers of this newsletter, if
contacted by the work group, to provide a thorough response reflecting
your honest opinions concerning reverse auctions -- both positive and
negative.

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**Intragovernmental Business Rules**

On November 16, 2006 Mary Sally Matiella, Assistant Chief Financial
Officer for Accounting, Department of Housing and Urban Development,
reported that the Intragovernmental Business Rules that the
Intragovernmental Subcommittee had been working on were published. TMS
Bulletin No. 2007-03 revises requirements for resolving disputes
involving program offices, accounting offices, contracting officers, and
agency Chief financial Officers. Registration in FedReg for Federal
Buyers and Sellers is still required. [View the full
memo](../http%20www.fms.treas.gov/tfm/vol1/07-03.pdf).

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**More Updates for EPLS**

The Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) is the governmentwide system of
records that identifies parties who have been excluded from
participating in federal procurement and non-procurement (financial or
non-financial assistance and benefits) programs throughout the federal
government. Contracting officers are required to check EPLS
([www.epls.gov](http://www.epls.gov/)) after receipt of bids and
proposals, and before making contract awards.

To better serve the user community, the EPLS version released January 9,
2007 included the following modifications and updates:

-   MyEPLS enhancements

    -   Allows the user to redefine the front page to their specific use
        by selecting or deselecting categories and options currently
        available on the EPLS.

-   Action status changes

    -   To reflect the record\'s EPLS create date instead of listing the
        record as \"New."

-   Multiple name search

    -   Added back to EPLS as requested by EPLS beta testers and the
        user community.

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**IAE SYSTEM UPDATES**

ACQUISITION REQUIREMENTS TEAM

• Team resolving agency comments

CCR AND FEDREG

• Thuy Lindsey named as new Project Manager

• 429,263 active vendors

-   Recompete in process

EPLS

• SORN (System of Records Notice) approved 1/07

• Over 6 million hits in November

-   MyEPLS enhanced (see article)

-   Multiple name search returns

ESRS

• Continuing to offer government training

-   Building real-time interface with FPDS-NG

•     15,386 vendor reports filed

FBO

• Awaiting protest resolution

-   Added Quick Search feature (see article)

-   Completed security re-certification and re-accreditation

• 702,005 vendors registered to receive e-mail notifications on
procurement opportunities that match their profiles

• 27,265 registered buyers

• 52,764 active opportunities (synopses, solicitations and combined
synopses)

-   Replaced firewall & load balancing resources

FedTeDS

• Kick-off meeting of combined FedTeDS and FBO users group

• Now over 4,100 Government Users and over 37,000 Vendor Users

**F**PDS-NG

• FY2006 -7,769,756 actions reported after DOD migration was completed

• The Federal Procurement Report for FY2005 was posted 1/07

• Over 100,000 registered users as of 1/07

ORCA

• Mark Gaillard named as new Project Manager

• 55,508 registered users

PERFORMANCE DATA

• Public comment period ended for Draft Guide for "Contractor
Performance in the Acquisition Process" on 1/16/07

-   FAR case in process

WDOL

• 1,666,357 hits in December 06\
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**2006 Marks Completion of Major Milestones for FPDS-NG**

It has been a landmark year for the Federal Procurement Data System-Next
Generation (FPDS-NG). The Department of Defense (DOD) is now integrated
in real-time with FPDS-NG, ensuring that both the public and private
sectors have visibility into federal spending.

While the public has immediate free access to FPDS-NG data, there is a
90-day hold on DOD records for security reasons. As of January FY 06,
DOD data is publicly available. DOD is the largest provider of data in
the system, has over 35,000 users, and is the most visible in terms of
statutory achievements. Bringing visibility to this spending has been a
key goal of FPDS-NG and this completes the migration of the majority of
agencies to FPDS-NG. This was the result of tireless effort by many
people, and countless hours of hard work. Congratulations to all
involved.

**Super-charged FPDS-NG**

Recently, FPDS-NG went through a complete technology re-fresh. From
extensive hardware and software upgrades through migration to a 10 GB
network, the most powerful network now available, FPDS-NG can be sure to
deliver reliable and timely service to the extensive government and
public user community.

**Enhanced Reporting Tool**

Over the course of 2006, FPDS-NG integrated the new Informatica reports
tool into the system. A reports group, comprised of representatives from
across the federal government, was created to adapt the reports from the
older software to the newer Informatica software. This group did not
simply transfer the old requirements into the new software; they spent a
lot of time considering the value of each report -- if it was still
needed, if it could be improved, and who was the audience.

The Informatica tool itself provides some impressive upgrades. Every
report begins at the federal level, the result of many requests from
users, with break downs to each department and agency. Every report also
contains a drill down feature, allowing the user to get information down
to the contract number. Reports can be exported into four different
formats, including Microsoft Excel -- and all reports can be e-mailed in
any format to interested users. The new Ad Hoc feature enables users to
easily customize and save their own reports.

FPDS-NG was created with four principles in mind:

-   providing greater transparency and visibility into government
    contracting

-   providing a powerful business decision-making tool for the
    contracting community

-   creating a foundation for standardizing contracting processes

-   enabling a self-service web accessible reporting tool.

The enhanced reporting capability provides another major tool to realize
this vision.

**Data Timeliness and Accuracy**

With increased public awareness and scrutiny of procurement data,
FPDS-NG is providing methods to ensure public confidence. Contracting
officers are better able to see all of their data, and thus update it as
needed. System Administrators have access to a suite of reports to
analyze their department's data. Senior managers can also assess
performance on statutory programs.

> Upcoming work for FPDS-NG includes incorporating the Small Business
> Administration's new recertification rules, supporting the Federal
> Financial Accountability and Transparency Act, and evaluating a
> potential role in strategic sourcing. 2007 promises to be even busier
> than 2006.

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**IAE's Strategic Partnership with Grants.gov**

One of the promises of the E-Gov initiatives was to eliminate
duplicative data processing. The IAE strategic partnership with the
federal grants community is making good on that promise. A federal grant
is an award of financial assistance from a federal agency to a recipient
to carry out a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by a
law of the United States. All federal agencies are required to post
competitive grant opportunities at Grants.gov, which was developed as
part of the E-Grants Initiative (a part of the President's 2002
Management Agenda to improve government services to the public).

Through this common website, agencies allow applicants for federal
grants to find, apply for, and manage grant funds online, simplifying
grant management and eliminating redundancies. The U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services is the managing partner for the Grants.gov
initiative, which allows organizations to electronically "Find and
Apply" for more than \$400 billion in federal grants.

The Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act of 1999
mandated that the grants program improve the effectiveness and
performance of federal financial assistance programs and simplify the
application and reporting requirements. The grants community does this
by interagency workgroups, and by developing common data elements,
electronic processes, and uniform administrative rules across agencies.
The strategic partnership with IAE allows the grant community to use IAE
services such as the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) to avoid
creating duplicate and repetitive data processing. The grants community
uses CCR to collect information on its grant applicants; currently
interested grants community registrants make up 14-20% of the total
active registrants in CCR. This number is expected to grow, potentially
outpacing vendor community registrants. CCR provides these grant
registrants the trusted data needed by the federal government to "Find
and Apply" on Grants.gov.

The March release of Grants.gov will be utilizing even more information
from CCR. By using CCR, the grants community does not have to create
separate redundant systems or require redundant record-keeping, thus
reducing the grantee and vendor registrant's administrative costs. This
strategic partnership means the next generation of the grants community
will use CCR more and more, further reinforcing simplification,
improving the grants process, and reducing overall cost. To continue to
"grow the partnership" with IAE, grants policy groups need to work
closer with the registration community to refine what it means to be a
grantee and take a more proactive role in transforming the business
model.