Importance

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Abstract

Access to procurement (purchasing and contract) data is provided to many users by a system that connects a core procurement system used by procurement professionals in a procuring agency to a public computer network like the Internet. At least one Web/application server connected to the core procurement system by a LAN or WAN provides access to non-procurement personnel in the procuring agency, non-agency personnel in the same organization, vendors, grantees and others, based on security procedures established by an authorized procurement officer in the procuring agency. Users of the system connected via the Internet use Java-enabled Web browsers to create, receive and send procurement documents and data via XML formatted documents. Field buyers connected via a mobile link use portable computers to send and receive similar data. Each user can access a reference library of information sources, such as the FAR, DOL wage rates, etc., in XML format to obtain procurement regulations and required data elements. Procurement documents and data include, but are not limited to, agreements, contracts, grants, solicitations, bids, catalog purchases, announcements, approvals, vendor profile and performance data, interagency agreements, and acquisition plans. All resulting procurement management data is integrated into the core procurement system, where procurement managers exert managerial procurement controls and generate required reports.

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First Claim