NASA database collects contractor ratings

As part of its plans to put all procurement information and actions online,

NASA will debut a database on contractor past performance next week.

The Past Performance Database will be available online for all 10 NASA

centers to rate contractor performance. Using simple online forms, contracting

officials can include basic ratings and detailed descriptions that other

centers can refer to in making decisions, said Jim Bradford, NASA Acquisition

Internet Service project leader at Marshall Space Flight Center.

The database will serve NASA until the government creates a standardized

contractor past performance repository, Bradford said.

The system enables contracting officials to print, e-mail, fax or mail

the evaluation in rich text format to the contractor. It provides the vendor

with a log-in ID so that the contractor can access the site and make comments

on the evaluation in response.