There are a number of sources for gaining additional information about EC/EDI. Many Government sponsored programs are available to help organizations become part of the new electronic commerce of Federal procurement. Each of the following organizations can provide assistance. While you should inquire about the fees associated with some of the activities sponsored by these groups, the services offered through these sources are valuable in planning or expanding your move to EC/EDI.
The DoD Electronic Commerce Office is led by the Director DoD Electronic Commerce. This office, which was originally established by the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition Reform), was created to manage the implementation of EDI-based contracting across the entire DoD. Its mandate is to ensure the swift and effective implementation of Public Law 103-355, the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act of 1994.
The Electronic Commerce Information Center is a part of the Electronic Commerce Office. The center acts as a central storehouse of information on EC/EDI. It makes this information, along with the latest technological and policy developments available to its Government customers and private-sector organizations. The center's mission--to support and encourage the use of Electronic Commerce technologies within the DoD, and at other Federal agencies-has made it a clearinghouse of knowledge on Federal EC/EDI. It is perhaps the single most informative Federal office concerning EC/EDI. It offers its clients, a full range of information as well as topic-specific advice and assistance. It offers and distributes information such as:
To contact the ECIC call them at 1-800-EDI-3414 or visit them on the Internet at http://www.acq.osd.mil/ec/.
The ECRC Program is comprised of private, Government-funded centers with a mission to help smaller organizations do business electronically. They promote awareness and implementation of Electronic Commerce and related technologies into the U.S. integrated civil-military industrial base. Their ultimate aim is to help manufacturers and service providers improve their competitive posture in global markets and strengthen the U.S. integrated civil-military industrial base. The ECRC Program consists of Regional ECRCs ECRC Team Integrators, and the ECRC Technology Development Testbed.
Regional ECRCs:
At present there are 16 regional ECRCs located across the country. For a complete listing of the regional ECRCs and their points of contact view http://www.ecrc.ctc.com. These centers provide help in selecting and implementing EDI, Internet based electronic commerce, and other computer tools for business. They offer seminars and training classes on a variety of EC subjects as well as technical consultation to help get an organization started in EC/EDI.
ECRC Team Integrators:
The two ECRC Team Integrators are responsible for communicating, coordinating, and planning the operations of their teams. The National ECRC Program Office communicates to the Regional ECRCs through the ECRC Team Integrators.
ECRC Technology Development Testbed:
The National ECRC Technology Development Testbed is responsible for coordinating the various Regional ECRC technical projects. They then disseminate the results of those efforts to industry, academia, and the Government. In addition, the testbed is involved with developing and reviewing electronic commerce technologies and distributing information on state-of-the-art and market-ready technologies.
The ECRC Program is operated with funding support from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). They are part of a set of programs sponsored by DLA which support the efficient operation of business with Government.
Like the ECRCs, the Procurement Technical Assistance Centers are part of a Defense Logistics Agency effort to make doing business with the Government easier and more efficient. Although not specifically dedicated to the promotion and advocacy of EC/EDI, PTACs can be a valuable resource for organizations that wish to be more involved with Federal procurement. PTACs provide a resource for business and other organizations to gain insight and information about dealing with the Federal, state, and local Government procurement agencies. They offer assistance in how to gain Government contracts. They advise organizations on the contract administration of Government contracts and the overall procurement process. They can assist universities in gathering the data necessary for CCR registration by researching Standard Industrial Codes (SIC), Federal Services Codes (FSC), and Product Service Codes(PSC).
Most of these centers are associated with area technical colleges, Chambers of Commerce, or state/local economic development agencies. There are currently 110 PTACs. For a complete listing view http://www.acq.osd.mil/ec/assist.htm#ptacs. Or for more information on PTAC services, call the EC Information Center at 1-800-EDI-3414.
EDI User Groups are located across the country. They are associations which are interested in sharing information about EDI-related subjects. The magazine EDI World publishes a monthly listing of these groups. EDI User Groups may be of assistance in steering your organizations to new uses of EC/EDI, in designing alternative approaches for pursuing EDI, or solving organization-specific problems you may be encountering. Through round table discussions, newsletters, or other associated mechanisms, these groups can provide a source of inspiration and support for EDI users in their area. To view a complete list of EDI User Groups visit http://www.acq.osd.mil/ec/newhandbook/appendixj/appendixj.htm or see the listing through EDI World publication.