As some of you may already know, the Federal Business Opportunities website – commonly referred to as “FedBizOpps” or “FBO” – is not going to be around much longer. According to recent GAO reports, it looks like the site will be decommissioned by November 8th of this year, with the site’s “critical functionality” being moved over to/merged with the System for Award Management (“SAM”) as early as first quarter 2020. However, we are not talking about the same old SAM that contractors may be used to; FBO’s functions will be moved over to a new system at beta.SAM.gov
According to a fact sheet issued by the GSA, “one the transition is complete, beta.SAM.gov will have the same federal business opportunity capabilities that are found today in FBO.gov.” You will still be able to follow contract opportunities, and save searches, but the processes used to do so (and the related terminology) might vary slightly. The new system will also boast some improvements over the old flawed-but-familiar FedBizOpps, including:
- The ability to search for opportunities by number, keyword, or location for more precise results (including easy-to-use search filters)
- Easy to read headers that will allow you to reference key information quickly
- The option to access previous versions of opportunity notices with one click
- The ability to set up notices, with a simple click, that will notify you when frequently used contract opportunities are updated
- The ability to manage alerts easily through a new user workspace (frequency, turn on/off)
- A user-friendly design with logical navigation and industry best practices embedded
- Shared login, search, workspace, data services, reports, and a design that will allow you to leverage other IAE system data easily
Critically important for contractors, the GSA’s fact sheet explains that, in order to transition from FBO to beta.SAM.gov, contractors will need to create a new account in beta.SAM.gov. To do so, you will need to create a new login.gov account or use your existing login.gov account. The new beta website also offers the following tips for “getting ready” in connection with this transition:
- Keep your legacy system passwords up to date. If you haven’t accessed your account(s) in a while, sign in to make sure your account is still active. Passwords generally expire in 90 days.
- Monitor the legacy systems for transition updates
- Remain in contact with your agency’s CCB representative (federal users)
- Join the Integrated Award Environment (IAE) Industry Community on Interact (opens in new window) (non-federal users)
- Attend quarterly Industry Days (announced on interact) for updates on modernization
In all, 10 GSA-managed procurement websites are being integrated into the new SAM: FedBizOpps; the current System for Award Management; the Federal Procurement Data System, (“FPDS”); Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (“CFDA”); Wage Determinations Online, (“WDOL”); Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System (“eSRS”); Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (“FAPIIS”); Contractor Performance Assessment Reports System (“CPARS”); and Past Performance Information Retrieval System (“PPIRS”); and the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (“FFATA”). According to the website itself: “[o]nce the modernization is complete, we will have one homepage with a single sign-on, one powerful search tool, one robust reporting tool and one workspace where users can access the information and tools they need to make, receive and manage federal awards.” Sounds great, if they can pull it off.
Stay tuned for more updates on what we can only hope will be a smooth transition!
