To log into the system, please access the URL:

https://indianocean.sc.egov.usda.gov/GSM/index.jsp

You will see the following (or similar) eAuthentication screen:

Enter your eAuthentication (also referred to as eAuth) user ID and password. Please remember that after entering incorrect information twice, you will be locked out of the system for 60 minutes. Also, any system user in your organization who has not already done so must register to receive their eAuthentication user id and password. To register, go to www.eauth.egov.usda.gov.

Should you have problems at this point in the process (forgotten password, locked out of the system, or other problem logging in), you should contact the eAuthentication help desk. The eAuth help desk can be reached via email at eAuthHelpDesk@usda.gov. This help desk is currently staffed from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time. They anticipate resolving most log-in problems within two hours. Note that there is also a link on the eAuth log-in page for password assistance.

Once you have successfully logged into the eAuth page you will be in the GSM Online System system. FROM THIS POINT FORWARD, please contact the FAS/Operations Division for exporter assistance and FSA/FMD for Banking assistance if you are having difficulties with the application.

The FAS help desk can be reached at 202-720-3224. This help desk consists of Operations Division staff and will be available during normal business hours (approximately 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time). U.S. banks needing further information should contact the Bank Analysis Branch of FAS at 202-690-1249 or by e-mail at michelle.zissimos@usda.gov.

Entering the GSM system for the first time, you will see the following screen requesting that you register as an Internal Control Administrator (ICA). Note that once your organization's ICA is approved by USDA you will no longer see this screen.

The ICA is the person who will be responsible for setting up points of contact and assigning system permissions to other users in your organization. Therefore, this person should be the first to log into the system. Please note that the ICA cannot carry out any other tasks within the system (such as entering, reviewing or submitting applications).

The ICA will be required to fill out a form and submit it electronically via the GSM Online System. Operations Division staff will review the submission and approve the ICA. After the ICA is approved, that person can begin assigning GSM Online System permissions to users within their organization. The screen below is the menu the ICA will always see. First, the ICA will need to click on Point of Contact: Create to set up other users. After that step is complete, the ICA will need to click on the link Assign Access to assign system permissions to other users. (Note: U.S. Banks will see a similar screen.)

The following screen is for the Create Point of Contact. REMINDER: The User Login ID must be the same as the point of contact’s eAuthentication ID.

The following screen is used to assign system permissions to a point of contact:

Once a point of contact is created and assigned system permissions, that user can access the system. After logging in on the eAuthentication page, these new users will see the following screen based on their assigned permissions. At this point, users can submit applications for coverage, notices of assignment, etc. Note: U.S. banks will have a menu screen displaying only the options for the bank.

Please note that each screen has a "Help" button at the bottom of the page. Clicking on the "Help" button will access the online user guide for the page you are working on. We highly recommend that you refer to the user guide before calling the FAS help desk for assistance, as we expect the call volume may be high. In addition, the main menu page contains a link to the entire (printable) user guide.

Important Reminder: DO NOT SHARE YOUR ID AND PASSWORD WITH OTHER USERS!