EC\EDI References and Links

Federal Acquistion Computer Network (FACNET)

The Federal Acquisition Computer Network (FACNET) was established by the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act of 1994 (FASA), Public Law 103-355. This law mandated the establishment of an architecture that will enable Federal agencies and vendors to do business electronically in a standard way. FACNET is an electronic infrastructure of gateways, electronic commerce processing nodes, and Value-Added Networks which creates secure, reliable electronic pathways for electronic data interchange. FACNET is intended primarily for Government purchases valued above the micro-purchase threshold ($2,500) up to the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $100,000). Title IX of FASA, enacted on October 13, 1994, provided the statutory framework for the Government wide EC/EDI initiative. To date, 325 Department of Defense (DoD) contracting activities have currently been approved to use FACNET.

The FACNET electronic system is intended to provide a "single face" to industry. The Act establishes parameters for FACNET built along functional lines, both for Government and private users. These functions are to be implemented by agencies within 5 years of enactment of the Act. The Government-wide FACNET will be designed to:

Notify the public about Federal contracting opportunities;

Delineate the specific components and requirements of Government solicitations;

Allow electronic submission of bids and proposals;
Permit responses to questions about solicitations;

Enhance the quality of data available about the acquisition process;

Be accessible to anyone with access to a personal computer (PC) and a modem.

In the time that has passed since the FASA mandate, rapidly changing technology has made available alternative electronic purchasing methods. However, DoD is committed to FACNET. Pentagon leaders believe it provides a means for electronic commerce that will increase the efficiency of Federal procurement. As such they are addressing how to integrate FACNET and other electronic commerce technologies and purchasing methods into a coherent strategy.
For more information on FACNET, visit the following web sites:
To find out which Requests for Quote have been issued over FACNET in the last three months use the searching tool on the San Antonio ECRC home page at : http://www.saecrc.org/find840s/index.shtml
To find a list of contract awards on FACNET go to the Computer Network Corporation home page and go through FACNET registration using a demo account at http://www.compnet.com/userid.html