Introduction to Argonne Procurement

The objective of the Argonne National Laboratory procurement system is to provide quality products and services in a timely manner to procurement customers. The Argonne Procurement Department will accomplish this by using a variety of practices that comply with the Department of Energy (DOE) Prime Contract mandates and statutory requirements. Argonne spends approximately $150,000,000 annually through procurements to a diverse group of large and small business concerns for a broad range of products and services which support the laboratory's overall mission.

Argonne Small Business Program

It is the policy of the Argonne National Laboratory that socioeconomic business concerns will be provided the maximum practicable opportunity to participate in the performance of subcontracts awarded by Argonne consistent with DOE's Small Business policies. Argonne will procure a fair proportion of its goods and services from small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, women-owned small businesses, veterans and service-disabled veterans who own and operate small businesses and HUBZone businesses. Argonne seeks suppliers who:

• Meet Argonne environmental safety and health compliance
• Offer best value
• Demonstrate an excellent past-performance record
• Provide high-quality products and services
• Demonstrate reliability
• Provide fair and reasonable prices
• Meet or exceed delivery requirements
• Provide excellent customer service
• Demonstrate capability
• Are responsive and responsible

If your company can meet or exceed in the above areas, then Argonne would like to hear from you. Any interested supplier may complete and submit a Supplier Information Form to be included in Argonne 's vendor database. Please be advised that submitting a Supplier Information Form does not guarantee that any solicitations or awards will be sent to your company; however in the event a solicitation is sent to you from an Argonne procurement official, and you can provide the required goods or services under the solicitation, a more formal quotation/offer may be required, which may include the submission of a Pre-Award Information and Booklet of Representations and Certifications or ORCA, as described in the solicitation package.

Procurement Terms and Conditions

Argonne's Standard Terms and Conditions are available online for viewing and downloading.

Department of Energy Forecast of Opportunities

To assist in financial planning, the DOE's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization publishes upcoming procurement projections online. This Web site provides efficient and effective access to the DOE's forecasted requirements over $100,000.

These procurement projections are based on the best information available from DOE's contributing headquarters, field, laboratory and prime contractor offices. These projects and the requirements that drive them are subject to revision or cancellation, depending on changing program priorities, needs and funding. Final decisions on any aspect of the procurement action will not be made until each requirement has been initiated.

Central Contractor Registration

In finding and verifying identified business classifications, Argonne uses the Central Contractor Registration (CCR), which is the primary registrant database for the U.S. government. CCR collects, validates, stores and disseminates data in support of agency acquisition missions. Click here to learn more about CCR policy and background, or refer to the CCR Handbook or Frequently Asked Questions .

Certifications

Because Argonne strives to have more than one small business source capable of providing quality products and services in a safe and timely manner to our procurement customers, the Argonne Small Business Office is interested in identifying qualified socioeconomic business concerns and building long-term strategic relationships while establishing and maintaining best practices. Certain business designations, such as certified small disadvantaged business (SDB), 8(A) and HUBZone, come from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and are noted in the CCR for verification purposes. In order for your business to qualify for any set-aside solicitations for these type concerns at Argonne you MUST be certified as a SDB, 8(A) and/or HUBZone through the SBA in CCR. For more information about certification, click on any of the following links:

• Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) & 8(a) Certifications
• Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Certifications

Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA)

The Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) is an e-government initiative designed by the Integrated Acquisition Environment to replace the paper-based Representations and Certifications process. The ORCA site can be found by going to http://www.bpn.gov and clicking on “Online Reps and Certs Application” on the left side of the screen. If you do not have access to the Internet or feel you need extra Internet help, you may contact the Procurement Technical Assistance Center closest to you.