- Locate an exact item, and one or more preferred vendors
with contracts
The nGAP Gateway is a repository for contracts and catalogs, in addition
to user data and the actual functionality that operates behind the
scene. Within the Gateway, catalogs, contracts, and requirements are
linked to each other by standard product codes, namely PSC and NAICS.
Therefore, when you search you can match a requirement to a product
at a detailed level, much the same as a shopping cart, and you can
also associate a vendor and contract to each item.
Since nGAP will produce as many vendors/contracts as your search parameters
yield, a Buyer can readily select a set of competitive bids as a starting
point for Contracting Officer negotiations and final vendor selection.
By adding parameters for set-asides, Buyers and Contracting Officers
can create procurements that meet competitive and small business objectives.
Each vendor member also has a web site associated with their nGAP account,
called MynGAP. This web site is intended to focus on government Buyers
and contracting officers as opposed to a normal corporate site where
messages target all market niches. Members can also link to their regular
web site if that is helpful. Once again, all this is available in one
place, the nGAP Gateway.
- Plan and manage complex projects
nGAP provides a Projects function for Buyers and Contracting Officers.
Any number of Project folders can be set up to collect data needed
to manage a Project. For example, supposed a Buyer wanted to set up
a project to renovate base security. They simply would create a Projects
folder and add all documents, in soft copy, as they are produced. Things
like Project plans, Statements of Work, input from nGAP searches, copies
of Requisition and Funding documents and more can be maintained in
one place.
This feature also has implications for year end planning where the
Buyer can do much of the leg work before and pass it on as an electronic
file to others to process. This means less work to be done during the
year end rush and easier communications during that hectic time.
- Finding vendor partners with minimal negotiation
Teaming listings are a feature available to nGAP members. In a way,
they are advertisements by one member to seek another for partnering
on an opportunity. One type of Teaming is where a Buyer seeks a vendor
to act as a prime to manage a project. The Teaming listing, which can
include soft copies of a Statement of Work or other explanatory document,
can give complete detail and explanation to prospective respondents.
You get replies based on a thorough understanding of your requirements,
from several vendors, with much less leg work on your part.