Original Date: 04/26/1999
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

The NASA Acquisition Internet Service (NAIS) is an agency-wide, on-line capability that communicates procurement information (e.g., synopsis information, advance procurement notices, contract award notices, solicitations, amendments) to industry. In an effort to continue improving the NAIS, Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) has embarked on several enhancements. Two such initiatives are the Procurement Data Warehouse System (PDWS) and the Request For Quotes System (RFQS).

The PDWS is an effort to gather all the procurement data from each NASA Center, centrally located it on a NASA website, and make it available to procurement professionals. Previously, this information was stored in numerous databases among all the Centers. By using the PDWS, contract specialists can search the vendor source database to obtain data on those firms that conduct business with NASA. In addition, this system provides NASA procurement management with metric data such as procurement productivity, contract status, and buyer productivity levels. The first phase of the PDWS has recently been deployed to the workforce at MSFC.

The RFQS allows vendors to submit on-line quotations to business solicitations. In addition, vendors who registered their business interests with the NAIS will receive e-mail notification of upcoming opportunities. This system will reduce procurement paperwork and increase communication between NASA procurement professionals and industry. The RFQS is in the pilot stage and has not yet been deployed.

MSFC continues to develop innovative ways for doing business. The PDWS and the RFQS represent the next phases of how NASA is improving its procurement process.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.