From: emailer@eps.gov%inter2 [SMTP:emailer@eps.gov]   

      Subject: Memorandum for Contracting Officials  
      Sent: 12/13/2004 10:52 AM 
      Importance: Normal  
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      December 8, 2004 

      MEMORANDUM FOR CONTRACTING OFFICIALS 

      SUBJECT: Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) 

      This letter is to inform you about a new Federal Integrated 
      Acquisition Environment (IAE) initiative 
      called the Online Representations and Certifications 
      Application (ORCA). ORCA is a web-based 
      system that centralizes and standardizes the collection, 
      storage and viewing of many of the 
      representations and certifications required by the Federal 
      Acquisition Regulations and previously found in 
      solicitations. According to the language included in FAR 
      Case 2002-024, vendors will be required to use 
      ORCA beginning 1 January 2005. 
      This FAR change will require you (and your Contract Writing 
      System, if applicable) to replace most of 
      the current solicitation provisions with a single clause 
      that directs your vendors to complete the online 
      provisions in ORCA. There is a clause for use in commercial 
      item acquisitions and a separate clause for 
      use in non-commercial item acquisitions. However, agency 
      specific provisions and solicitation specific 
      provisions not included in ORCA will still have to be 
      included in solicitations. All otherwise applicable 
      representations and certifications will still have to be 
      included in solicitations when registration in the 
      Central Contract Registration is not required (see FAR 
      4.1102). 
      In addition, architect-engineer firms can voluntarily 
      submit SF 330 Part II, Architect-Engineer 
      Qualifications, through ORCA. However, vendors have been 
      informed that the voluntary submittal of the 
      SF 330 Part II in ORCA does not eliminate the requirement 
      that they submit this form to each agency for 
      which it wants to be considered for projects that are not 
      publicly announced. 
      ORCAs search page (http://orca.bpn.gov/publicsearch.aspx) 
      allows you to view the vendors current 
      record by entering their DUNS number or view their archived 
      records by entering their DUNS number 
      and the dates of interest (for example, the date of the 
      solicitation.) The record can be viewed and 
      downloaded/printed if desired. Please note that the new FAR 
      language does not require a paper copy of 
      the ORCA record be kept in the contract file. 
      For your information, a copy of the notice going out to all 
      active CCR registrants beginning next week is 
      attached. 
      Detailed information can be found in the attached FAR Case, 
      as well as by visiting the Help section of 
      the website at http://orca.bpn.gov. The help section 
      includes ORCA background information, frequently 
      asked questions (FAQ), the ORCA Handbook, and whom to call 
      for assistance. 
      Sincerely, 
      Teresa Sorrenti 
      IAE Program Manager 
      Integrated Acquisition Environment 
      2011 Crystal Drive | Crystal Park 1 | Suite 911 | 
      Arlington, VA 22202 
      Tel. 703-872-8600 | Fax 703-872-8598 |email 
      integrated.acquisition@gsa.gov | http:egov.gsa.gov 
      Attachment: 

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      December 8, 2004
 
      MEMORANDUM FOR FEDERAL VENDORS 

      SUBJECT: Online Representations and Certifications 
      Application (ORCA) 

      Dear Vendor, 

      Beginning January 1, 2005, the Federal Acquisition 
      Regulation (FAR) will require the use of the Online 
      Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) in 
      Federal solicitations as a part of the proposal submission 
      process. ORCA is a web-based system that centralizes and 
      standardizes the collection, storage and viewing of many 
      of the FAR required representations and certifications 
      previously found in solicitations. With ORCA, you now have 
      the ability to enter and maintain your representation and 
      certification information, at your convenience, via the 
      Internet at http://orca.bpn.gov. In addition, rather than 
      receiving and reviewing paper submissions, government 
      contracting officials can access ORCA and review your 
      information online as a part of the proposal evaluation 
      process. You will no longer have to submit representations 
      and certifications completed in ORCA with each offer. 
      Instead, a solicitation will contain a single provision 
      that will allow you to either certify that all of your 
      representations and certifications in ORCA are current, 
      complete and accurate as of the date of your signature, or 
      list any changes. 
      Although architect-engineer firms can voluntarily submit 
      the Standard Form (SF) 330 Part II through ORCA, they 
      still must submit this form to each agency for which it 
      wants to be considered for projects that are not publicly 
      announced. 
      To prepare for this requirement and to register in ORCA, 
      you will need to have two items: an active Central 
      Contractor Registration (CCR) record and a Marketing 
      Partner Identification Number (MPIN) identified in that CCR 
      record. Your DUNS number and MPIN act as your companys ID 
      and password into ORCA. (Visit www.ccr.gov 
      for more information on creating and entering your MPIN). 
      The basic information provided in your CCR record is 
      used to pre-populate a number of fields in ORCA. Vendors 
      are reminded to protect their MPIN from unauthorized 
      use. 
      Once in ORCA you will be asked to review pertinent 
      information pre-populated from CCR, provide a point of 
      contact, and answer a questionnaire that contains up to 26 
      questions. The questionnaire is to help you gather 
      information you need for the clauses. The questionnaire is 
      not the official version. Be sure to read the provisions 
      carefully. 
      The answers you provide are then automatically entered into 
      the actual FAR provisions. You are required to review 
      your information, as inserted, in context of the full-text 
      provisions for accuracy; acknowledge three additional 
      readonly provisions; and click a time/date stamp before final 
      submission. You will need to review and/or update your 
      ORCA record when necessary, but at least annually in order 
      to maintain its active status. 
      Detailed information regarding ORCA, how to submit your 
      record, and whom to call for assistance can be found on 
      ORCAs homepage at http://orca.bpn.gov under Help. 
      Thank you, 
      Teresa Sorrenti 
      IAE Program Manager 
      Integrated Acquisition Environment 
      2011 Crystal Drive | Crystal Park 1 | Suite 911 | 
      Arlington, VA 22202 
      Tel. 703-872-8600 | Fax 703-872-8598 |email 
      integrated.acquisition@gsa.gov | http:egov.gsa.gov