Topics and areas on this page include-- |
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Announcements
of late breaking contracting news |
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Introductory
Information on how to do business with the US Government and the
NY District |
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Registration
and required forms |
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Doing
Business--how to stay informed on solicitations and negotiations
from the NY District |
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Small Business--info
for small and disadvantaged businesses |
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Other Contracting
Resources |
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Acronyms
guide related to Government contracting |
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Several documents on these
pages require Acrobat
Reader to view, which may be downloaded from the
Adobe
Acrobat Web site. |
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Introductory
Information
The New York District is ready to do business, on a competitive basis,
with competent firms that can supply the products or services it needs.
District purchasing activities are particularly interested in establishing
contacts with small business firms, small disadvantaged business firms,
women-owned small business firms, and firms in labor surplus areas.
Contracting carries out many types of missions for the New York District
such as construction projects, A-E services, and requirements procured
under the simplified acquisition threshold. For supplies and services
$2,500 or less, the IMPACT (VISA) card is our primary method of purchasing.
For items between $2,500.00 and $25,000.00, Electronic Commerce/Electronic
Data Interchange (ECI/EDI) is the primary method of procurement. All
actions over $25,000 are advertised in the Commerce Business Daily
(CBD).
The basic contracting rules for all Federal Government agencies are
set forth in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Additional
rules unique to DoD are set forth in the DoD FAR Supplement (DFARS)
and Army Federal Acquisition Regulation (AFARS). Check the Regulations
links in the Other Contracting Resources
section.
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Registration
and Required Forms
In order to do business electronically with the New York District,
the first step is to register in the Central Contractor Registration
(CCR) database, in order to become a
trading partner. A Trading Partner is "a business that has agreed
to exchange business information electronically." This term describes
any business that has been registered to conduct business electronically
with the Government. As the Government implements EC/EDI, utilizing
its Federal Acquisition Computer Network (FACNET), these Trading Partners
will receive notice for the bulk of Government procurements.
Federal agencies also require a Employer Identification Number (EIN)
from every contractor. Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE)
codes are frequently required, which are issued by the Government
agency for which the contractor will do business, or their local Electronic
Commerce Resource Center (ECRC). The
ECRC is also a good source of support for EC/EDI, especially for small
businesses. Value-Added Networks (VANs)
provide electronic communications services for contractors. The Department
of Defense (DoD) keeps an up-to-date list of certified VANs. Those
doing business with the District should have a Dun & Bradstreet
D-U-N-S number (Data Universal
Numbering System), and should know their products' Federal
Supply Codes/Product Service Codes and Standard Industrial
Classification (SIC) code.
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Doing
Business--Solicitations and Negotiations
As mentioned above, solicitations over $100,000 are advertised in
the Commerce Business Daily (CBD). For purchases
over $100,000, the Contracting Division buys through two methods--sealed
bidding and negotiation. The bidders list is the tool most widely
used to identify potential contractors. A bidders list contains names
of suppliers of materials and services which are possible sources
from whom bids may be solicited. The bidders list is made up of business
firms that have advised the Contracting Office that they want to bid
on a particular item and have supplied data showing their ability
to fulfill contracts for the item, service or project. To apply to
be included on a solicitation mailing list, you can submit Form
SF129, Solicitation Mailing List Application (requires
Acrobat
Reader 3.0 + to view).
When soliciting for bids, the Contracting Office normally sends bid
invitations to firms listed on their solicitation mailing lists. Invitations
for bids usually include a copy of the specifications for the proposed
purchase, instructions for preparation of offers and the conditions
of purchase, delivery and payment schedule. The date and time of bid
opening will also be included. Each sealed bid is opened in public
at the purchasing office at the time designated in the invitation
and facts about each bid are read aloud and recorded.
Items or services may also be purchased by negotiation, when it is
impossible to draft adequate specifications or to describe fully the
specific item, service or project. When purchasing by negotiation,
the purchasing office also makes use of its solicitation mailing list
for the particular item or service. Requests for proposals are sent
to a number of offerers so the purchase can be made on a competitive
basis.
A majority of the design and planning services required by the New
York District are performed by the Architect/Engineer community. All
requests for these services are announced in the Commerce
Business Daily. Firms interested in architect-engineering
work will file Form SF254, "Architect-Engineer and Related Services Questionnaire,"
and Form SF255, "Architect-Engineer
and Related Services Questionnaire for Specific Project." These
forms require Acrobat
Reader 3.0 + to view. With Reader version 3.0, the forms
may be filled out electronically, saved as a PDF file, and attached
to e-mail submitted to the Contracting Office. Alternatively, the
forms may be printed, filled out and mailed to the Contracting Office.
If there is a charge for the solicitation, you may obtain a copy by
sending a check, payable to "FAO, USAED, New York," to the
attention of the Point of Contact named in the solicitation at the
address listed in the Contacts section below.
Be sure to cite the solicitation number on your check and include
your Federal Express Number if you desire quick delivery. If there
is no charge for the solicitation, you may obtain a copy by sending
a request to the Point of Contact named in the solicitation. By mail
or fax or e-mail, send the request to the Point of Contact named in
the solicitation, using the address or fax number listed in the Contacts
section below. Be sure to cite the solicitation number on all requests.
NOTICE TO ALL PERSONS: In accordance with Federal
Acquisition Regulation Section 9.405, the Army Corps of
Engineers does not solicit offers from and does not contract with
contractors who are debarred, suspended, or proposed for debarment.
Point of Contact:
Please submit
all your inquiries to:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Contracting
Division (New York District)
26 Federal Plaza Room: 1843
New York, NY
10278
212-264-0238
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Other Contracting
Resources
Publications
--CBD--Commerce Business
Daily
--Doing
Business with the Department of Defense
Regulations
--FAR--Federal Acquisition
Regulation
--DFARS--Defense Federal
Aquisition Regulation Supplement
--AFARS--Army
Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement
Registration Links
--CCR--Central Contractor Registration
--EIN--Employer
Identification Number
--CAGE (Commercial
and Government Entity) Code FAQs
--ECRC--Electronic Commerce
Resource Center
--ECRC at the University of
Scranton (local center)
--VANs--list
of Value-Added Networks
--D&B D-U-N-S--Data
Universal Numbering System
--Federal Supply
Codes/Product Service Codes
--SIC--Standard
Industrial Classification Code
Additional Information
--Electronic Commerce Web
site (including VANs, FACNET)
--Government Contracting
Office of the Small Business Administration SBA
--SBA Government
Contracting Frequently Asked Questions (including PASS)
--SBA 8(a)
Program Frequently Asked Questions
--SBA NYC
local links and info
--Contracting
Opportunities with the US Army
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Acronyms
The following
are some common acronyms used in government and military contracting
divisions.
AFARS--Army Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement
CAGE--Commercial and Government Entity
CBD--Commerce Business Daily
CCR--Central Contractor Registration
DFARS--Defense Federal Aquisition Regulation Supplement
DoD--Department of Defense
D-U-N-S--(Dun & Bradstreet) Data Universal Numbering System
ECI/EDI--Electronic Commerce Interface/Electronic Data Interchange
ECRC--Electronic Commerce Resource Center
EIN--Employer Identification Number
FACNET--Federal Acquisition Computer Network
FAR--Federal Acquisition Regulation
PASS--Procurement Automated Source System
POC--Point of Contact
SADBU--Small And Disadvantaged Business Utilization
SBA--Small Business Administration
SIC--Standard Industrial Classification Code
TIN--Tax Identification Number (same as Employer Identification Number)
VAN--Value-Added Network |
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