NIC updates e-procurement software

Electronic procurement vendor NIC Commerce (formerly eFed) on Monday released the latest version of its procurement software that makes it easier for federal users to customize and compare products they want to buy online.

With eFed Version 3.0, users can conduct a side-by-side comparison of similar systems from multiple vendors before making a purchase. Users also can customize the system they want to buy by choosing different components, such as memory, offered from vendors. The new version of eFed also gives vendors the ability to update their online product data on an as-needed basis and the ability to modify individual items on the site in real time.

The Air Force Standard Systems Group will use the new software on their Air Force Superstore, which offers buyers access to products from more than 30 hardware, software, networking, and service contracts and blanket purchase agreements.

NIC Commerce is a subsidiary of National Information Consortium, which builds and manages Internet portals for government agencies. NIC Commerce makes software for agencies that helps users to search, compare and purchase products and services across multiple catalogs on the World Wide Web. In September 1999 NIC acquired eFed and changed its name to NIC Commerce

In addition to the new software, NIC Commerce announced that the General Services Administration's Federal Supply Service will integrate the company's Request for Quote Module into the GSA Advantage online shopping site. The E-Buy quote module will streamline the request for quote process.