How Does eBuy Work?
Federal Government Agencies
Using the eBuy system, federal agencies (buyers) may prepare and post Requests for Quotations (RFQs) for specific supplies (products) and services offered under GSA Schedule 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 eBuy 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) can 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 can still submit a quotation for an RFQ placed under their awarded SINs.
For GWACs and Network Services and Telecommunications contracts, buyers must notify all sellers listed under a particular functional category.
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.
State and Local Government Entities
State and local government entities (buyers) may now use the eBuy system to prepare and post RFQs for GSA Schedule supplies and services under the Cooperative Purchasing Program and the Disaster Recovery Purchasing Program.
In order to use eBuy, state and local buyers must first register in GSA Advantage!® as a state government customer. Buyers needing assistance with the registration process should contact the GSA Advantage!® Helpdesk on (877) 472-3777.
Each RFQ is posted in the eBuy system for a designated period of time and is assigned to a GSA Schedule Special Item Number (SIN) category by the buyer. The category assignment determines which Schedule contractors (sellers) may receive the email notice to submit quotations. Sellers are automatically listed under their awarded SINs.
Buyers may notify all sellers under a particular SIN category or may choose to notify a lesser number of sellers. Sellers not notified may still submit a quotation for an RFQ placed under their awarded SINs.
Once an RFQ has closed, buyers may 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 eBuy.
Buyers who shop GSA Advantage!® may also designate specific supplies and services in their shopping carts to be posted to eBuy 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
Contractors who want to submit quotations must do so at the eBuy website. All contractors must register with the Vendor Support Center (VSC) to participate in eBuy and receive RFQs.
GSA Schedule contractors who have their catalogs posted to GSA Advantage!® are eligible to submit quotations through eBuy. Contractors are automatically registered in eBuy under their awarded SINs.
GWAC and Network Services and Telecommunications contractors must register with the VSC to be eligible to submit quotations through eBuy. Contractors that register with the VSC are automatically listed in eBuy under their awarded functional categories.
GSA Schedule, GWAC, and Network Services and Telecommunications contractors are advised to check the eBuy site each day for RFQ opportunities, since email notification is not guaranteed.
Contractors' quotations are not visible to other contractors. Only the buyer can view contractor names and quotations.
Contractors can include attachments with their quotations. Open market items, however, can not be included in their quotations. If clarifications are needed, contractors can contact the buyer via email.
