Vendor
of Goods and Services Survey
The
results of this survey will be used to determine how Federal
Government buying activities can more effectively use
reverse auctions as a tool and for ensuring that the U.S.
taxpayer is better served. As a vendor of goods or services,
your responses to this survey are solicited on a
non-attribution basis. Similar surveys are being conducted
with Government buying activities.
This
survey is in response to 2006 National Defense Authorization
Act language that requires an analysis of the use of reverse
auctions. Your responses should be based on your experience
with reverse auction usage in Federal Government
procurements. This includes reverse auctions conducted by
third party reverse auction service providers, for U.S.
Government requiring activities.
If
you have any questions about this survey, please call 703
805-3501 or 703 805-5401.
Background
A reverse auction (also called
procurement auction, e-auction, sourcing event, e-sourcing,
or e-Reverse Auction) is
a pricing tool used for business-to-business procurements.
It is a type of auction in which the role of the buyer and
seller are reversed, with the primary objective of achieving
the best overall price. In traditional auctions,
buyers
compete for the right to obtain goods or services by
offering progressively higher prices. In reverse auctions,
sellers
compete for the right to sell goods or services by offering
to sell for progressively lower prices.
A reverse auction may be used by
the Government as a pricing tool during the procurement
process. It generally allows the Government to view in
real-time the position of each offeror. The software
reveals to each anonymous offeror its relative position in
the competition. Offerors have the opportunity to
continually revise their prices in order to strive for the
lowest offered price. The process is repeated until
offerors stop revising their prices or until the close of
the auction.
Internet capabilities and the
availability of on-line auction tools have provided the
technology to conduct web-based reverse auctions with
anonymous, visible, and real-time bidding that can be
accomplished within hours. Although reverse auction
pricing is not specifically identified in the Federal
Acquisition Regulations (FAR), it can be accomplished in the
context of “discussions” under FAR Part 15.
It can also be used as the method of receiving offers or
price quotes, and for conducting competitive sourcing under
FAR Parts 8, 12, and 13.
Anonymity
Your
anonymity will be protected. Please give us your candid
responses.
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Your
Reverse Auction Experience Working for a Vendor(s)
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1.
I have participated in reverse auctions for: a) 0-1 year, b)
1-2 years, c) 3-5 years, d) 6-10 years, e) 11-18 years, f)
More than 18 years.
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2.
In FY2007, I expect to participate in the following number of
reverse auctions: a) 10 or fewer, b) 11-40, c) 41-70, d) More
than 70
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3.
In the FY2007 auctions, the total dollar value of all
auctions was (or will be) approximately: a)$25k or less,
b)$25-100k, c)$101-500k, d)$501k-$1M, e)$1-5M, f)$5-10M,
g)More than $10M
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4.
In FY2006, I participated in the following number of reverse
auctions: a) 10 or fewer, b) 11-40, c) 41-70, d) More than 70
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5.
In the FY2006 auctions, the total dollar value of all
auctions was approximately: a)$25k or less, b)$25-100k,
c)$101-500k, d)$501k-$1M, e)$1-5M, f)$5-10M, g)More than $10M
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6.
In FY2005, I participated in the following number of reverse
auctions: a) 10 or fewer, b) 11-40, c) 41-70, d) More than 70
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7.
In the FY2005 auctions, the total dollar value of all
auctions was approximately: a)$25k or less, b)$25-100k,
c)$101-500k, d)$501k-$1M, e)$1-5M, f)$5-10M, g)More than $10M
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8.
In FY2004, I participated in the following number of reverse
auctions: a) 10 or fewer, b) 11-40, c) 41-70, d) More than 70
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9.
In the FY2003 auctions, the total dollar value of all
auctions was approximately: a)$25k or less, b)$25-100k,
c)$101-500k, d)$501k-$1M, e)$1-5M, f)$5-10M, g)More than $10M
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10.
In FY2003, I participated in the following number of reverse
auctions: a) 10 or fewer, b) 11-40, c) 41-70, d) More than 70
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11.
In the FY2003 auctions, the total dollar value of all
auctions was approximately: a)$25k or less, b)$25-100k,
c)$101-500k, d)$501k-$1M, e)$1-5M, f)$5-10M, g)More than $10M
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12.
In FY2002, I participated in the following number of reverse
auctions: a) 10 or fewer, b) 11-40, c) 41-70, d) More than 70
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13.
In the FY2002 auctions, the total dollar value of all
auctions was approximately: a)$25k or less, b)$25-100k,
c)$101-500k, d)$501k-$1M, e)$1-5M, f)$5-10M, g)More than $10M
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14.
In FY2001, I participated in the following number of reverse
auctions: a) 10 or fewer, b) 11-40, c) 41-70, d) More than 70
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15.
In the FY2001 auctions, the total dollar value of all
auctions was approximately: a)$25k or less, b)$25-100k,
c)$101-500k, d)$501k-$1M, e)$1-5M, f)$5-10M, g)More than $10M
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In
FY2000 and earlier years
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16.
In FY2000 and earlier years, each year I participated in the
following number of reverse auctions: a) 10 or fewer, b)
11-40, c) 41-70, d) More than 70
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17.
In the FY2000 auctions, the total dollar value of all
auctions was approximately: a)$25k or less, b)$25-100k,
c)$101-500k, d)$501k-$1M, e)$1-5M, f)$5-10M, g)More than $10M
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Your
future plans or expectations:
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18.
In future years, our approximate annual use of reverse
auctions is expected to be: a) 10 or fewer, b) 11-40, c)
41-70, d) More than 70
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The
questions below address your cumulative experience with
reverse auctions:
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19.
What contract types were requested in the reverse auction
competitions in which you participated?
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Select
all that apply
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a.
Fixed-price contracts
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b.
Cost reimbursement contracts
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c.
Incentive contracts
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d.
Indefinite Delivery contracts
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e.
Time and Materials, Labor Hours contracts
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f.
Blanket Purchase Agreements, Basic Agreements or Basic
Ordering Agreements
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g.
Other, please explain
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If you selected "Other," please explain:
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20.
What contract types are not practical for reverse actions?
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Select
all that apply
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a.
Fixed-price contracts
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b.
Cost reimbursement contracts
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c.
Incentive contracts
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d.
Indefinite Delivery contracts
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e.
Time and Materials, Labor Hours contracts
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f.
Blanket Purchase Agreements, Basic Agreements or Basic
Ordering Agreements
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g.
Other, please explain
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If you selected "Other," please explain:
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Please
indicate the approximate dollar values (in whole numbers) for
the supplies, services, or combination of supplies and
services that you have attempted to provide in reverse
auction competition(s)
(Bypass
any that do not apply)
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21.
Building and Industrial in FY05 and FY06:
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Approximate
dollar value (in whole numbers without the dollar sign) --
Bypass if not applicable
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Range:
$1 - $50,000,000
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22.
Furniture and Furnishings in FY05 and FY06:
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Approximate
dollar value (in whole numbers without the dollar sign) --
Bypass if not applicable
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Range:
$1 - $50,000,000
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23.
Hospitality, Cleaning, and Chemicals in FY05 and FY06:
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Approximate
dollar value (in whole numbers without the dollar sign) --
Bypass if not applicable
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Range:
$1 - $50,000,000
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24.
IT Solutions and Electronics in FY05 and FY06:
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Approximate
dollar value (in whole numbers without the dollar sign) --
Bypass if not applicable
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Range:
$1 - $50,000,000
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25.
Laboratory, Scientific and Medical in FY05 and FY06:
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Approximate
dollar value (in whole numbers without the dollar sign) --
Bypass if not applicable
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Range:
$1 - $50,000,000
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26.
Law Enforcement, Fire and Security in FY05 and FY06:
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Approximate
dollar value (in whole numbers without the dollar sign) --
Bypass if not applicable
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Range:
$1 - $50,000,000
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27.
Military Equipment including Parts and Repair in FY05 and
FY06:
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Approximate
dollar value (in whole numbers without the dollar sign) --
Bypass if not applicable
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Range:
$1 - $50,000,000
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28.
Military Subsistence, including Clothing, Food, and Medicine
in FY05 and FY06:
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Approximate
dollar value (in whole numbers without the dollar sign) --
Bypass if not applicable
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Range:
$1 - $50,000,000
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29.
Office Solutions in FY05 and FY06:
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Approximate
dollar value (in whole numbers without the dollar sign) --
Bypass if not applicable
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Range:
$1 - $50,000,000
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30.
Recreation and Apparel in FY05 and FY06:
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Approximate
dollar value (in whole numbers without the dollar sign) --
Bypass if not applicable
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Range:
$1 - $50,000,000
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31.
Services in FY05 and FY06:
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Approximate
dollar value (in whole numbers without the dollar sign) --
Bypass if not applicable
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Range:
$1 - $50,000,000
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32.
Tools, Hardware and Machinery in FY05 and FY06:
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Approximate
dollar value (in whole numbers without the dollar sign) --
Bypass if not applicable
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Range:
$1 - $50,000,000
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33.
United Nations/Special Products & Services Category
(UN/SPSC) in FY05 and FY06:
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Approximate
dollar value (in whole numbers without the dollar sign) --
Bypass if not applicable
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Range:
$1 - $50,000,000
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34.
Vehicles and Watercraft in FY05 and FY06:
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Approximate
dollar value (in whole numbers without the dollar sign) --
Bypass if not applicable
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Range:
$1 - $50,000,000
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35.
Please indicate approximate percentages of reverse auctions
(based on number of total auctions participated in) for which
you’ve used each of the below hosting services
(the
total should add to 100%, but do not
use percentage signs).
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Total:
100
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a.
Advanced Purchasing Technology
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b.
Ariba/Freemarket
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c.
AUGURI/PROCUSOFT
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d.
CombineNet/ASAP
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e.
eDynaQuote
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f.
FedBid.com
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g.
Government hosted (no third party provider)
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h.
Hedgehog
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i.
Iasta
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j.
IBM
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k.
InteSource
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l.
K2Sourcing
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m.
Procuri.com
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n.
Vendigital
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o.
It was not clear to me who was hosting the reverse auction
(enter the percentage of those you were unsure about))
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p.
Any others? [if you put a percentage amount here, please
provide details in the following question]
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36.
If you chose "Any others" above, please explain and
indicate the approximate percentage for each.
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Enter
your response
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What
benefits have you realized by participating in reverse
auctions?
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37.
Increased understanding of current market pricing.
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SA-Strongly
Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree
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38.
Reduced administrative costs in preparation of price quote.
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SA-Strongly
Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree
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39.
Increased exposure to Government buying activities that my
company would not have had in a traditional procurement.
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SA-Strongly
Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree
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40.
Resulted in a higher percentage of contract awards.
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SA-Strongly
Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree
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41.
Other benefit, e.g., ease of award, lower bid costs, same
benefits as government buying activities (if you select this
option, please explain in the following question)
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SA-Strongly
Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree
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42.
If you chose "Other benefit" above, please explain.
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Enter
your response
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Please
indicate your level of agreement with each statement below.
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43.
Reverse auctions encourage new
government
suppliers to sell to the government.
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SA-Strongly
Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree
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44.
Reverse auctions encourage existing
government
suppliers to sell to the government.
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SA-Strongly
Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree
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45.
If multiple Government agencies could aggregate requirements
and hold reverse auctions, I would participate more
frequently.
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SA-Strongly
Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree
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46.
We would participate more frequently if there were a common
federal reverse auction capability available for the
government.
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SA-Strongly
Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree
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47.
We would participate in reverse auctions more frequently if
there were a no-cost-to-us capability available through the
Federal Supply Schedules Program or other Federal ordering
vehicles.
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SA-Strongly
Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree
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48.
Does your company currently have a Federal Supply Schedule
contract? If you choose "No," please jump to
question 50.
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Select
1
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a.
Yes
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b.
No
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49.
If you chose "No," above, please bypass this
question.
If
you chose "Yes" above, indicate your level of
agreement: If the Government used reverse auctions to
buy from a Federal Supply Schedules Program or other Federal
ordering vehicles, I would participate in the reverse
auctions to sell my product.
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SA-Strongly
Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree
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50.
Language should be written into the Federal Acquisition
Regulations or Agency Acquisition Regulations to provide
guidance on the use of reverse auctions.
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SA-Strongly
Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree
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51.
The Federal Government should promote the use of reverse
auctions.
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SA-Strongly
Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree
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52.
The Government should provide procedural guidance to vendors
that participate in reverse auctions.
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SA-Strongly
Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree
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53.
We intend to use reverse auction services in the future.
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SA-Strongly
Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree
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Based
on your experience, please indicate what you consider to be
problems with reverse auctions:
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54.
The lack of awareness of reverse auction opportunities has
been a problem.
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SA-Strongly
Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree
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55.
We have a company policy that discourages the use of reverse
auctions.
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SA-Strongly
Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree
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56.
We think that reverse auctions result in unrealistically low
prices.
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SA-Strongly
Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree
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57.
There is inadequate functionality of reverse auction service
applications.
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SA-Strongly
Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree
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58.
We believe that the registration process adds too much time
to the acquisition process.
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SA-Strongly
Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree
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59.
We need more technical assistance.
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SA-Strongly
Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree
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60.
We have concerns about meeting contract requirements at the
awarded price.
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SA-Strongly
Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree
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61.
We are concerned about other bidders offering substandard
products.
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SA-Strongly
Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree
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62.
We are concerned about the amount of the service provider
fee.
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SA-Strongly
Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree
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63.
The solicitation response time is unreasonably short,
compared with traditional procurements.
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SA-Strongly
Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree
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64.
The technical assistance provided for reverse auction
software or website is not adequate.
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SA-Strongly
Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree
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65.
Our company lacks internal management support for use of
reverse auctions.
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SA-Strongly
Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree
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66.
The Government provides insufficient reverse auction training
to industry.
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SA-Strongly
Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree
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67.
There is inadequate training of Government participants in
the proper use of reverse auctions.
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SA-Strongly
Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree
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68.
We have other concerns (please explain)
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Enter
your response
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Please
indicate your level of agreement on how the Government could
improve reverse auctions:
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69.
Limit participation only to those vendors whose supplies or
services have met specific minimum technical criteria.
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SA-Strongly
Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree
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70.
Provide functionality similar to that offered by Amazon.com®
and Ebay.com®, where buyers can view summary statistical
information and feedback about sellers.
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SA-Strongly
Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree
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71.
Standardize registration, procedures, and fee structures.
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SA-Strongly
Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree
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72.
Provide additional or expanded training and guidance to
government acquisition officials.
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SA-Strongly
Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree
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73.
Please provide any other suggestions you might have to
improve reverse auctions:
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Enter
your response
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74.
In six sentences or less, please provide any additional
feedback you wish to give on your experiences with reverse
auctions. For example, discuss whether or not you intend to
continue to use reverse auctions, or describe an innovative
use of reverse auctions and the outcome, or describe any best
practices or lessons learned.
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Enter
your response
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75.
Please provide your company DUNS number (your company DUNS
number will NOT be attributed to your response. It will be
used to ensure that there is only one response per DUNS
number.):
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Enter
your DUNS number:
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76.
Please indicate if we may contact you by providing your email
address and phone number.
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Enter
your response
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Thank
you very much for taking the time to respond to this survey.
Your input will be extremely valuable to the Office of
Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) in developing guidance
related to reverse auctions. Your response will serve
to improve Federal procurement processes.
Please
click on "Submit
Survey"
only once!
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