GSA offers e-Buy to state and local governments

The General Services Administration’s e-Buy system, an online tool for requesting quotes from vendors, is now available to state and local governments, GSA officials announced today.

The new system gives local governments direct access to many of the same vendors for products and services that federal agencies use, according to GSA.

E-Buy combines Web technology and the federal government’s buying power to ensure state and local governments get the best value possible, said Paul Prouty, GSA’s acting administrator.

Using the new agreement, state and local customers can access and request quotations from pre-approved vendors that provide disaster recovery, information technology, and Homeland Security products and services under GSA’s cooperative purchasing and disaster recovery purchasing programs.

GSA officials said the program should increase competition, enhances transparency, and streamlines procurements.

E-Buy will soon implement enhancements that allow users to identify Recovery Act-funded acquisitions, making it easier to comply with mandatory reporting requirements, according to GSA.