Friday September 13, 2019 Changes in Government Contracting That You Need to Know About.

 

Welcome to the wonderful world of “Federal Contracting Made Easy”, where we take the complex world of government contracting and break it into simple steps that anyone can master.  Today, we are celebrating our 95th episode and to mark the occasion we will be discussing some changes that GSA is implementing that will impact you!!!.  BUT before we get started let’s roll that into.

 

Welcome Back

 

The General Service Administration (GSA) oversees many acquisition and awards processes websites.  They are moving 10 of these online websites into one massive website.  This site will become the official U.S. Government website for people who make, receive and manage federal awards according to GSA.  New site will be called beta.sam.gov.

 

The following sites will be migrating over to beta.sam.gov: SAM, Federal Assistance (CFDA), Wage Determinations (WDOL), Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), Federal Business Opportunities (FBO), Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System (eSRS) , Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS), Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS), PPRS, and Federal Funding and Transparency Act (FFATA).

 

SAM.GOV

 

All data over the original websites including entity registrations and historical contract data will be brought over to this new website.  Don’t worry you will not have to re-register as your data will automatically transitions to the new site when SAM.gov is retired.  Remember the new website will be called beta.sam.gov.

 

FedBizOpps.Gov

 

Yes, FBO is set to be decommissioned with its critical functionality being transferred to the beta.sam.gov website in the governments first quarter (Oct – Dec).

 

The new website will have the same functionality that is available today but will have enhancements such as:

• Search Functions
  • Keyword
  • Number
  • Location
• Improved and easy to read headers allowing you to find key information quickly.
• Option to access previous versions of opportunity notices with one click
• Set up notices with one click that will notify you when frequently used contract opportunities have been updated.
• Ability to manage alerts easily through a new user workspace
• A User-friendly design with logical navigation and industry best practices embedded.
• Shared login, search, workspace, data services, reports, and a design that will allow you to leverage other IAE system data easily.

 

How will the new site be organized?

 

 

 

Many of the features and functionality that is currently in FBO.gov will move to beta.SAM.gov under new names.

 

FBO – beta.SAM.gov

Watchlist – Follow.  If you want to follow an opportunity you will select, follow on the display page.

 

Search Agent – Saved Search. Search agent will now be called Saved Search in the new website.  This will allow you to save searches directly from search results and managed from your workspace.

 

Archived – Inactive.  Archived will be labeled Inactive in the new website. Open notices will be labeled Active

 

Interested Vendor List

 

About the Interested Vendor List. 

• Current Interested Vendor Lists (IVL) will transfer to the new website
• Non-federal users need an account tied to an entity to use the IVL
• Each IVL will be tied to a specific notice
• Each IVL will be searchable and sortable

 

Implementing a New Federal Hierarchy

 

GSA will be combining multiple legacy hierarchies into a single hierarchy across all the new website.  Search, reports and government roles will be based on the federal hierarchy. 

Federal agencies will centrally manage updates and changes to the hierarchy.  Public facing API of Federal Department/Independent Agencies and sub-tiers will be available to download.

 

New Accounts & Migration

 

In order to transition roles from FBO.gov to beta.SAM.gov, you will need to create a new account in beta.SAM.gov.  As part of GSA’s ongoing efforts to enhance security and move to a single sign in for all IAE applications, we are implementing login.gov in beta.SAM.gov.

 

A few weeks before the transition you will need to create a new login.gov account or be ready to use your existing login.gov account.  If you have a government issued CAC/PIV card you can login using that.

 

Conclusion

 

I did not list the changes that will only apply to the government side of the house.

 

 

Consider supporting our channel by becoming a Patreon at patreon.com/fcme or a one time donation at paypal.me/FCME801.