Small-business databases to combine

Central Contractor Registration

The Small Business Administration and Defense Department are merging databases into one Web portal for small-business information.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2004, SBA's Pro-Net database and DOD's Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database will be integrated into a single point for searching and compiling small-business sources, SBA officials said today. The effort is part of the Integrated Acquisition Environment, one of the 24 e-government initiatives.

"We are continuing to make strides in simplifying the process to help small businesses conduct business with the federal government," SBA Administrator Hector Barreto said in a statement. "By integrating Pro-Net's functions into CCR, the foundation of the Business Partner Network, we are helping to advance the president's goal of a single, user-friendly integrated acquisition environment."

Pro-Net is SBA's online database of procurement opportunities for small businesses. CCR registration is required for all federal contracts. Agencies and contracting officers who use Pro-Net will now access to the information through CCR. The search options will be found at CCR Dynamic Small Business Search site, and small businesses will not have to register at both databases, SBA officials said.