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8a Business Development Program is an SBA business development program created to help small disadvantaged businesses compete in the American economy and access the federal procurement market. See http://www.sba.gov/8abd/ for further information.

American National Standards Institute [ANSI] is the coordinator and clearinghouse for national standards in the United States. ANSI does not develop national standards; it charters organizations called "Accredited Standards Committees [ASCs] composed of voluntary representatives from industry, labor, consumer, and government to prepare consensus standards. Upon public comment and approval, ANSI ASCs publish national standards.

Applications Link. The software bridge developed to facilitate the interface between a company’s internal business management software and EDI translation software.

CAD. The electronic storage of drawings developed using computer-aided design applications.

CAGE Code. A contractor identification code that is assigned and maintained by the Defense Logistics Service Center to identify commercial and Government activities.

Central Contractor Registration (CCR). Method for the Government to have one master registration database of all contractors wishing to contract with any agency of the Government. All businesses who want to sell their products or services to the Government must be registered in this database. To register, go to www.ccr.gov.

Contracting Officer. (CO) An employee of the Government with the authority to enter into, administer, and/or terminate contracts and bind the Government legally by signing a contractual instrument.

Defense Conversion, Reinvestment, and Transition Act (1992) Initiated the Technology Reinvestment Project (TRP) to establish cooperative, interagency efforts that address the technology development, deployment, and education and training needs within both the commercial and defense communities. Also established the Civil-Military Cooperative Action Program under which the government may use the skills, capabilities, and resources of the armed forces to assist civilian efforts to meet the domestic needs of the United States.

Department of Defense [DoD] EC/EDI Infrastructure is the system of interconnected communications and computer systems supporting the exchange of EDI transactions between Government activities and their trading partners. The use of a single infrastructure allows both Government activities and the Value Added Networks to connect to the two Network Entry Points [NEPs] in an economical and efficient manner. The infrastructure also supports the concept of a "single face to industry" which allows Government trading partners to register with the Government once through the Central Contractor Registration [CCR] system in Columbus, Ohio, and be able to do business with any Government procurement activity.

DoD Mentor-Protégé Program. Program established to provide incentives for (major) DoD prime contractors (Mentors) to help small disadvantaged businesses (SDBs) qualified organizations that employ the severely disabled, and Women Owned Small Business (Protégés) develop technical and business capabilities. The goal of the program is to assist protégés to successfully compete for prime contract and subcontract awards.

DUNS Number. A D&B® D-U-N-S® Number is a unique nine-digit sequence recognized as the universal standard for identifying and keeping track of over 70 million businesses worldwide. It enhances the credibility of your business in the marketplace, enables potential customers, suppliers and lenders to easily identify and learn about your company, and The U.S. government and many major corporations require their suppliers and contractors to have a D-U-N-S Number. Go to http://www.dnb.com/US/duns_update/index.html to apply for a DUNS number.

Electronic Commerce [EC] is the paperless exchange of business information, using Electronic Data Interchange [EDI], electronic mail, electronic bulletin boards, electronic funds transfer and other similar technologies.

Electronic Data Interchange [EDI], a major part of Electronic Commerce [EC], is the computer-to-computer exchange of business data in a standardized format.

Electronic Funds Transfer [EFT]. The electronic transfer of money between accounts at different banks.

Electronic Catalogs use the Web to display products and services, take orders, and accept payment. Again, convenience, speed, and access to information are the primary advantages to federal shoppers using electronic catalogs. The government’s use of electronic catalogs is very limited at present.

EDI is the computer-to-computer exchange of business data between trading partners using a standardized format. A trading partner can be any business that is registered to conduct business with the federal government.

EFT enables the exchange of payments and related information. EFT is the federal government’s preferred method of accepting & making payments. EFT technology is also used for automated teller machines and to make direct payroll deposits. EFT offers convenience, economy, and security. EFT vendor information is available at http://pub.fss.gsa.gov/services/gsa-smartpay.

EIN - An employer identification number is a nine-digit number (12-3456789, for example) assigned to sole proprietors, corporations, partnerships, estates, trusts, and other entities for tax filing and reporting purposes. To apply for an EIN, use Department of the Treasury Form SS-4. The information provided on this form establishes a business tax account for the company. Download the form from the following Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Forms Web page: http://www.irs.gov/forms_pubs/formpub.html. Instructions included on the form offer other options for obtaining an EIN number, such as by telephone or fax. If a business is not sure if it already has an EIN or not, it should contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.

Electronic Malls are collections of vendors’ electronic catalogs that allow government buyers to browse and search for goods, as well as comparison shop, in a mall-like setting. One government E-mall currently in wide use is GSA*Advangage!, which provides access to GSA Schedule holders’ Web sites for additional product and company information.

E-mail is used to send and receive messages and data files between computer users. The primary advantages are e-mail’s convenience and speed.

Federal Acquisition Network [FACNET] is an electronic system intended to provide a single face to industry by the Federal Government and interoperability within the federal sector. FACNET has parameters built along functional lines, with requirements set forth for Government and private users. The Government-wide FACNET will be designed to: inform the public about contracting opportunities; outline the details of Government solicitations; permit electronic bids and proposals; facilitate responses to questions about solicitations; enhance the quality of data available about the acquisition process; and be accessible to anyone with access to a personal computer and a modem.

Federal Acquisition Regulation [FAR] is a set of rules governing how the federal government buys goods and services. You can search the FAR on-line.

Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act OF 1994 [FASA] [Public Law 103-355], signed by President Clinton on October 13, 1994, was designed to simplify and streamline the Federal procurement process. It will significantly change how the Government does business. The Act repeals or substantially modifies more than 255 provisions of law to reduce paperwork burdens, facilitate the acquisition of commercial products, enhance the use of simplified procedures for small purchases, transform the acquisition process to electronic commerce, and improve the efficiency of the laws governing the procurement of goods and services.

Federal Supply Schedules (FSS). A series of schedules compiled by the General Services Administration (GSA), of commonly-used supplies and services available to Government agencies at specified prices. The schedules, known as GSA schedules, allow ordering offices to issue delivery orders directly to contractors listed on the GSA schedule, receive direct shipments, make payment directly to contractors, and administer the orders.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). An act, part of the Administrative Procedure Act passed in 1966, that provides a mechanism for members of the public (including contractors) to gain access to Agency Records maintained by the Government. See http://www.osec.doc.gov/omo/FOIA/FOIAWEBSITE.htm for more information.

FOB Destination. Free on board at destination, or where the seller or consignor delivers the supplies on the seller's or consignor's conveyance to a specified delivery point. Unless the contract provides otherwise, the cost of shipping and risk of loss are borne by the seller or consignor.

FOB Origin. Free on board at the place of origin, or where the seller or consignor places the supplies on the conveyance by which they are to be transported. Unless the contract provides otherwise, the cost of shipping and the risk of loss are borne by the buyer or consignee.