Federal Contracting Application Process
Becomes More Efficient with ORCA

Columbia, Mo., March 28, 2005 — Put a "W" in the win column for foes of federal red tape.

Businesses seeking federal government contracts now face an easier bid application process, according to Bill Stuby, program specialist with the Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Center (MO PTAC) at the University of Missouri in Columbia.

"Recent changes in the federal contract solicitation process have made contract bidding more efficient and less time consuming for firms interested in doing business with the federal government," says Stuby. "Our MO PTAC centers around the state help Missouri businesses navigate the government contracting process at all three levels — federal, state and local."

The big change in federal contracting is the creation of the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA). This computerized tool replaces the Federal Acquisitions Regulations (FAR) clause 52.212-3, Representations and Certifications (Reps & Certs), which vendors previously had to complete with each bid entry.

Now, vendors bidding on contracts only need to complete ORCA once a year (or more frequently if data becomes outdated). Vendor-submitted data for ORCA remains valid for each contract the vendor bids.

Here are the steps applicants should follow to complete ORCA:

• First, vendors must register in the Central Contractor's Registration (CCR) at www.ccr.gov. To register the vendor must log in using a DUNS number. (Note: To obtain a DUNS number, contact Dun & Bradstreet at 1-866-705-5711 and ask for a free DUNS number for government contracting. The number should be available in 24 hours.)
  
  
• Complete the five-screen CCR application. The "Points of Contact" section requires the applicant to create a Marketing Partner Identification Number (MPIN). The MPIN serves as an applicant's password for various government websites, including ORCA.
  
  
• No later than 48 hours after completing the CCR, the MPIN is accepted. This allows the vendor to enter data into ORCA at orca.bpn.gov.
  
  
• After the vendor enters the DUNS number and MPIN some of the information fields in the ORCA form should be automatically completed with information derived from previously entered CCR data. Check these pre-populated data fields to ensure the automatically appearing information is accurate. Correct any misinformation by updating directly in ORCA or returning to CCR.
  
  
• Next, complete the ORCA primary contact information and the ORCA questionnaire. Once all information is complete the information will transfer into the FAR clauses.
  
  
• At this point the applicant will be asked to acknowledge three additional provisions, click a "time/date stamp" and click "Submit Certification" to complete the ORCA registration. (Note: It is advisable to print a copy of the ORCA registration before submitting it.) A confirmation of your registration should appear in your e-mail box soon after its submission.

Remember, a vendor's ORCA can be modified as often as pertinent data changes, but it must be updated every year. All vendors receive e-mail reminders to update their ORCAs 60 days, 30 days and 15 days prior to registration expiration.

For assistance in completing ORCA and in pursuing government contracts contact your nearest MO PTAC counselor, whose location can be found on the MO PTAC website at www.missouribusiness.net/ptac/centers.asp.

Procurement Technical Assistance Centers were created by Congress and funded by Department of Defense grants to help small business compete in the government contracting arena. MO PTAC is part of the outreach efforts of University of Missouri Extension and of the affiliated host institutions around the state of Missouri.