| NEED TO FORMAT
There are several data and information systems that are essential
to any effort to market your products and/or services to the
federal government. The first category, Data Systems, pertains
to federal those systems where you register to make sure that
your name is listed as a supplier. The second category pertains
to Information Systems where you can go to find necessary
information as you pursue government contracts.
Data Systems
PRO-Net
(PROCUREMENT MARKETING AND ACCESS NETWORK) is an electronic
gateway of procurement information -- for and about small
businesses operated by the US
Small Business Administration (SBA). It is a search engine
for contracting officers, a marketing tool for small firms
and a "link" to procurement opportunities and important
information. It is designed to be a "virtual" one-stop-procurement-shop.
PRO-Net is an Internet-based database of information on more
than 171,000 small, disadvantaged, 8(a) and women-owned businesses.
It is free to federal and state government agencies as well
as prime and other contractors seeking small business contractors,
subcontractors and/or partnership opportunities. PRO-Net is
open to all small firms seeking federal, state and private
contracts. Businesses profiled on the PRO-Net system can be
searched by SIC codes; key words; location; quality certifications;
business type; ownership race and gender; EDI capability,
etc.
Business profiles in the PRO-Net system include data from
SBA's files and other available data bases, plus additional
business and marketing information on individual firms. Businesses
on the system will be responsible for updating their profiles
and keeping information current.
The Pro-Net project is a cooperative effort among SBA's offices
of Government Contracting, Minority Enterprise Development,
Advocacy, Women's Business Ownership, Field Operations, Marketing
& Customer Service, the Chief Information Officer, and
the National Women's Business Council.
Central Contractor Registration (CCR) system is a central
repository of all companies and agencies wanting to do business
with the US Department of Defense (DoD). Those companies and
agencies MUST be registered and validated in the CCR prior
to award of any contract, basic agreement, basic ordering
agreement, or blanket purchase agreement. CCR was created
to comply with the Debt Collection and Improvement Act of
1996
The CCR is a repository for company and agency data and CCR
provides worldwide visibility of sources to government buyers
and finance officers for the purpose streamlining contract
awards and payments. Contractors are required to review and
update their registration on an annual basis in order to stay
active in CCR. It is the responsibility of the contracting
officer to check to verify that their contractors are registered
in CCR prior to granting an award.
The very first piece of information that you will need is
a D&B D-U-N-S Number. This is a distinctive nine-digit
identification sequence, which is an internationally recognized
common company identifier in EDI and global electronic commerce
transactions.
For complete instructions on how to register in CCR, read
the instruction booklet by clicking on Central Contractor
Registration above. The fastest and easiest way to register
is on the Internet.
After you complete your application on the Internet, you
will see a confirmation code. Write down this code in the
event you need to return to the system before you receive
your trading Partner Identification Number (TPIN). Your TPIN
will arrive by mail shortly after you complete your registration.
The Commercial
and Government Entity (CAGE) code is a five-character,
vendor identification number administered by the Defense Logistics
Information Service (DLIS) and used extensively within the
DoD. You can apply for CCR registration without a CAGE code
if you do not have one and a CAGE code will be assigned. You
can check to determine if you have a CAGE code yourself at
the above web site or by calling DLIS at 888/352-9333.
Information Systems
Standard
Industrial Classification (SIC) codes are part of a numbering
system that identifies the type of products and/or services
your company provides. The above web site offers a search
engine that will show possible codes based on key word descriptions.
The business reference section of your local library may have
manuals describing these codes in detail. When searching for
applicable SIC codes, be sure to consider all of the different
types of products and services your company offers. For example,
if your firm performs service and repair work along with sales,
be sure to determine the appropriate service codes in addition
to those for the basic product itself.
North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is
replacing the US Standard Industrial Classification (SIC)
system. NAICS was developed jointly by the US, Canada, and
Mexico to provide new comparability in statistics about business
activity across North America. This web site will allow you
to look up your product and/or service as well as convert
from the SIC code and vice versa.
Federal
Supply Classification & Product Service Classification
(FSC/PSC) Codes
The FSC is a four-digit numeric index for suppliers of product
which catagorizes items of supply into groups and classes
according to physical or performance characteristics. The
National Stock Number (NSN) for an item of supply consists
of the applicable four–digit FSC code number plus the
nine-digit National Item Identification Number (NIIN).
The PSC is a four-digit alpha-numeric index for suppliers
of service which catagorizes services of supply into groups
and classes according to characteristics and types of service.
It is important to determine all of company’s FSC/PSC
especially when getting your company registered in the many
databases, such as the CCR, PRO-Net, etc. The more precise
your FSC/PSC codes are the more accurate the information will
be that reflects your product/and or service.
Size
Standards and the size of your business will determine
whether you are classified as a “small business.”
The size standard for each industry is either determined by
the number of employees or the average annual receipts of
a company for the last three fiscal years depending upon your
industry.
Federal
Acquisition Regulations (FAR) will undoubtedly be referenced
as you explore opportunities for selling to the federal government.
You can look up these regulations at the above web site.
Defense
Federal Acquisition Regulations Supplements (DFARS) may
be required for DoD contracts. These regulations can be found
at the above web site.
Defense
acquisition terms and acronyms can be confusing. Now there
is a glossary to help decipher acronyms and terms.
Assistance
PTAC counselors located in North Carolina can provide assistance
in such areas as:
- research contract award histories
- understand solicitation requirements and terminology
- locate specifications and standards
- register with Central Contractor Registration (CCR)
- explain how the federal government uses electronic transactions
- search government databases to identify opportunities
for your product or service
|
