[A-F] [G-R] [S-Z]

Set-Aside. To reserve an acquisition exclusively or partially for the participation of a special class of contractors.

Small Business. For purposes of participation in the Procurement Technical Assistance Program is a business, including its affiliates, that is independently owned and operated, not dominant in the field of operation in which it is bidding on Government contracts, and qualified as a small business under the criteria and size standards in 13 CFR 121.601.

Small Disadvantaged Business is a small business concern that is at least 51 percent unconditionally owned by one or more individuals who are both socially and economically disadvantaged, or a publicly owned business that has at least 51 percent of its stock unconditionally owned by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and that has its management and daily business controlled by one or more such individuals. The term also means a small business concern that is at least 51 percent unconditionally owned by an economically disadvantaged Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization, or publicly owned business that has at least 51 percent of its stock unconditionally owned by one of these entities, that has its management and daily business controlled by members of an economically disadvantaged Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization, and that meets the requirements of 13 CRF 124. Must be certified by the SBA.

Sole Source. The only source known to be able to perform a contract, or the one source among others that, for justifiable reason, is found to be most advantageous for the purpose of contract award. A sole source acquisition means a contract for the purchase of supplies or services that is entered into, or proposed to be entered into, by an agency after soliciting and negotiating with only one source

Solicitation. A document sent to prospective contractors by a Government agency, requesting submission of offers or of information.

Specification. A description of the technical requirements for a material, product, or service that includes the criteria for determining whether these requirements are met.

Trading Partners. Parties or entities who exchange EC/EDI transactions.

Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). The nine-digit number required by the IRS to be used by the offeror in reporting income tax and other returns. The TIM may be a social security number or Employer Identification Number.

Value Added Network [VAN] is generally a commercial entity [similar to a long distance telephone company, or a computer on-line service] that provides communications services, electronic store and forward mailboxing, and other related services for EDI transactions. VANs are necessary because it would be too expensive and impractical to establish direct point-to-point connections with all of a company’s trading partners. VANs are also useful because they are accessible to a company regardless of physical location, support reliable connectivity to a company’s trading partners via varying communications speeds and protocols, provide security for transactions including audit trails, and generally offer other value added services and ANSI X12 EDI translation software.

Value Added Service [VAS] may be a separate commercial organization [also known as EDI service bureau], or a VAN that provides extra fee-based services beyond standard VAN services to its customers. Such services may range from "EDI-to-FAX" services to complete EDI-integrated business systems. Such VAS services are specifically applicable to small Government contractors who opt not to invest in EDI-related computer hardware and software. There are advantages and disadvantages to subscribing to value added services such as Fax-to-EDI; on the plus side, they may allow you to quickly participate in EDI-based Government procurement efforts without making the investment in becoming EDI-capable; on the minus side they may place limits on the number and type of transactions you can exchange, take more time to exchange transactions than standard EDI, and be costly in the long term. You should conduct an analysis to determine their suitability to your business and condition. In addition to the traditional, point to point service, some VANs now offer EDI over the Internet. A client transmits its information to a Website where the translation into appropriate X12 or other standards [depending upon the ultimate recipient's need] takes place automatically.

Woman-Owned Small Business for purposes of participation in the Procurement Technical Assistance Program is a small business concern - (1) which is at least 51 percent owned by one or more women; or in the case of any publicly owned business, at least 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more women; and (2) whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more women.