News Releases
GSA Launches E-Commerce Web Site Pilot Specifically for 8(a) Small and Disadvantaged BusinessesGSA #9669a April 11, 2000 Washington, DC -- In an effort to increase the visibility of 8(a) business on the world wide web, and give federal agencies an opportunity to shop for information technology products and services specifically from 8(a) small and disadvantaged businesses, the U.S. General Services Administration launched a new pilot web site -- SmallBizMall.gov -- in early April. "This E-Commerce mall is the first web site of its kind in the federal marketplace to provide 8(a) small and disadvantaged businesses the opportunity to fulfill orders via the web," said Sandra Bates, GSA's Commissioner of Federal Technology Service. The mall began with a pilot program on April 3, with nine industry partners who hold multiple award indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (MAIDIQ) contracts with the FTS Small Business Solution Development Center in Kansas City, Missouri. There are a total of 164 MAIDIQ industry partners. The pilot will run through June 2000 after which FTS plans to invite the remainder of the 164 partners to participate in the electronic mall. "The SmallBizMall is an excellent concept," said Bates. "It is paving the way, using the technology that we sell and promoting small businesses who are our partners for the future." CeKa, an 8(a) company located in Vienna, Virginia, along with Onlinesuppliers.com Corporation (OLS) has developed an acquisition method and system for SmallBizMall.gov called Acquisition 2000 Plus TM. This technology provides government buyers several benefits: For further information please call Mary Parks, Small Business Solutions Development Center Program Director, at (816) 823-3960. ADDITIOINAL INFORMATON ON INDUSTRY PARTNERS Industry Partners (for the Pilot Mall): CeKA Technologies, the EC enabler Pilot Mall 8(a) Partners
Last Reviewed 3/29/2006
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