Procurement opportunities through electronic commerce and electronic data interchange: Net implementation,

[Federal Register: February 3, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 22)]

[Notices]

[Page 5587]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr03fe98-118]

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Notice of the Procurement Marketing and Access Network (PRO-Net) Implementation

AGENCY: Small Business Administration.

ACTION: Notice to implement the Procurement Marketing and Access Network (PRO-Net).

SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Office of Government Contracting (GC) is implementing the Procurement Marketing and Access Network (PRO-Net) as the primary basis for identifying and recommending potential small business concerns, small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, and small business concerns owned and controlled by women, as sources for both prime, subcontracting, and partnership opportunities. The PRO-Net is replacing the Procurement Automated Source System (PASS) as a nationwide computerized storage and retrieval database. The PRO-Net is an internet-based electronic search engine for Federal Government contracting officers, and other interested parties, to identify small business sources.

The PRO-Net is a one-stop procurement shop for government contracting. The database is free of charge to Federal, State and local government agencies; contractors; and the public. It assists them in identifying and locating small business prime contractors, subcontractors, and partnership opportunities with small businesses. Each PRO-Net small business profile can include the company's products and services, past history, references, and other information pertinent to potential contracting entities. A key feature of the system is that participating companies can continually update their profiles with the most current information, including new products, services, and contract awards. Participating companies with e-mail addresses can be sent communications and procurement opportunities electronically. As an electronic gateway, PRO-Net is linked to the Commerce Business Daily, government agency home pages, and other sources of procurement opportunities. Participating companies with internet home pages can include a link to their web site in their PRO-Net profile, providing additional information to procurement officials about the company.

The PRO-Net internet address (URL) is (http://pro-net.sba.gov). Companies that do not currently have access to the internet can register for PRO-Net on any computer that has access to the internet, or at any SBA District Office, Business Information Center (BIC), Small Business Development Center (SBDC), SBA Office of Government Contracting (GC) Area Office, or GC field personnel.

ADDRESSES: Oliver H. Snyder, III, PRO-Net Program Manager, U.S. Small Business Administration, 409 Third Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20416.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Oliver H. Snyder, III, PRO-Net Program Manager, (202) 205-7650, FAX (202) 205-7324.

SUPPLEMENTRY INFORMATION: You may submit comments by sending electronic mail (e-mail) to: oliver.snyder@sba.gov.

Dated: January 27, 1998. Judith A. Roussel, Associate Administrator for Government Contracting.

[FR Doc. 98-2514Filed2-2-98; 8:45 am]

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