How Does e-Buy Work?

Using the e-Buy system, federal agencies (buyers) may prepare and post a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for specific supplies (products) and services offered under GSA Schedules and Technology contracts (i.e., GSA Schedule 70 (Information Technology), Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs), and Network Services and Telecommunications).

Each RFQ is posted in the e-Buy system for a designated period of time and is assigned to a GSA Schedule Special Item Number (SIN) category or GWAC/Network Services and Telecommunications functional category by the buyer. The category assignment determines which Schedule, GWAC, or Network Services and Telecommunications contractors (sellers) may receive the email notice to submit quotations. Sellers are automatically listed under their awarded SINs or functional categories.

For GSA Schedules, buyers may notify all sellers listed under a particular SIN category or may choose to notify a lesser number of sellers. (Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 8.405 stipulates that buyers must provide the RFQ to at least three Schedule contractors for orders exceeding the micro-purchase threshold.) Sellers not notified may still submit a quotation for an RFQ placed under their awarded SIN.

For GWACs and Network Services and Telecommunications contracts, buyers must notify all sellers listed under a particular functional category.

GSA Schedule, GWAC, and Network Services and Telecommunications contractors are advised to check the e-Buy site each day for RFQ opportunities, since email notification is not guaranteed.

Contractors who wish to submit quotations must do so at the e-Buy website. All contractors must register with the Vendor Support Center (VSC) to participate in e-Buy and receive requests for quotations. In addition, GSA Schedule contractors must also submit their catalogs for inclusion in GSA Advantage!®. 

Once an RFQ has closed, buyers may then evaluate and accept the quotation that represents the best value. Buyers may then issue an order to any contractor whose quotation was accepted.

More About Buyers

Government users who have an account on GSA Advantage!®  may use e-Buy.

Buyers who shop GSA Advantage!®  may also designate specific supplies and services in their shopping carts to be posted to e-Buy for quotations prior to purchase.

Buyers may attach any documents (such as a Statement of Work) to their RFQs. The ability to attach documents is particularly useful when the requirement is for services.

More About Sellers

Schedule contractors who have their catalogs posted to GSA Advantage!®  are eligible to submit quotations through e-Buy. Contractors are automatically registered in e-Buy under their awarded SINs.

GWAC and Network Services and Telecommunications contractors must register with the VSC to be eligible to submit quotations through e-Buy.

Contractors' quotations are not visible to other contractors. Only the buyer can view contractor names and quotations.

Contractors may include attachments with their quotations. Open market items, however, may not be included in their quotations. If clarifications are needed, contractors may contact the buyer via email.

Additional Information

Buyers and sellers should visit the Power Up e-Tools site to access a variety of information on e-Buy, including online tutorials and training webcasts.