DHS invites vendors to submit product info online

Central Contractor Registration

The Homeland Security Department has created a Web site allowing vendors to voluntarily submit data about their technology products and services.

DHS officials said the Vendor Information Site (https://vendors.dhs.gov) is an ongoing effort to develop partnerships with the private sector. The information would be confidential and used for reference purposes in order to better understand IT products and services that may meet emerging requirements through procurements undertaken in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations and other applicable laws.

The department is starting off with IT products and services, but the intention is to broaden the site to include all products and services related to the mission. DHS is also working with the Small Business Administration and other technology associations to inform small and disadvantaged businesses about this opportunity.

Homeland Security officials may ask for clarification or further information, but submission doesn't constitute a commitment to procure a product or service. DHS is discouraging vendors from requesting that the department enter into non-disclosure agreements as a condition of submitting information about products and services.

The DHS site is designed to supplement the Central Contractor Registration, which is the federal government's primary vendor database. Vendors don't necessarily have to register with the latter database before registering with the DHS site, but they are encouraged to do so.

If vendors are registered with CCR, then they may enter a DUNS number -- a nine-digit unique identifier number from Dun and Bradstreet Inc. -- which would automatically affix any information about the company from the CCR record to the DHS information provided.