xxxx Provider Outreach Survey

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Provider Outreach 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 provider of reverse auction 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.

 

Please summarize your company's experience conducting reverse auctions for Government buying activities

1. In FY2007, my company conducted reverse auctions for:
	Select all that apply
a. Federal
b. State
c. Local

2. In FY2006, my company conducted reverse auctions for:
	Select all that apply
a. Federal
b. State
c. Local

3. In FY2005, my company conducted reverse auctions for:
	Select all that apply
a. Federal
b. State
c. Local

4. In FY2004, my company conducted reverse auctions for:
	Select all that apply
a. Federal
b. State
c. Local

5. In FY2003, my company conducted reverse auctions for:
	Select all that apply
a. Federal
b. State
c. Local

6. In FY2002, my company conducted reverse auctions for:
	Select all that apply
a. Federal
b. State
c. Local

7. In FY2001, my company conducted reverse auctions for:
	Select all that apply
a. Federal
b. State
c. Local

8. In FY2000 and earlier years, my company conducted reverse auctions for:
	Select all that apply
a. Federal
b. State
c. Local

Please indicate the Government buying activities and the number of reverse auctions conducted for them using your tool in FY06. Bypass any that do not apply.

      Low=1-5 RAs, Medium=6-10 RAs, High=11-40 RAs, Extra High=41 or more

9. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

10. AGRICULTURE, DEPARTMENT OF

11. AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION

12. BROADCASTING BOARD OF GOVERNORS

13. COMMERCE, DEPARTMENT OF

14. COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS

15. COMMITTEE FOR PURCHASE FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR SEVERELY DISABLED

16. COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION

17. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION

18. CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY

19. COURT SERVICES AND OFFENDER SUPERVISION AGENCY/PRETRIAL SERVICES AGENCY

20. DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES SAFETY BOARD

21. DEFENSE, DEPARTMENT OF

22. EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF

23. ENERGY, DEPARTMENT OF

24. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

25. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION

26. EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

27. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

28. FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION

29. FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION

30. FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

31. FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

32. GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

33. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF

34. HOMELAND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF

35. HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

36. INTERIOR, DEPARTMENT OF THE

37. INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

38. J.F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

39. JUSTICE, DEPARTMENT OF

40. LABOR, DEPARTMENT OF

41. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

42. MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD

43. MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION

44. NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

45. NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION

46. NATIONAL COMMISSION ON LIBRARIES & INFORMATION SCIENCE

47. NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS

48. NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES

49. NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART

50. NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD

51. NATIONAL MEDIATION BOARD

52. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

53. NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD

54. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

55. OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION

56. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

57. PEACE CORPS

58. RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD

59. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

60. SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM

61. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

62. SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

63. SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

64. STATE, DEPARTMENT OF

65. TRANSPORTATION, DEPARTMENT OF

66. TREASURY, DEPARTMENT OF THE

67. UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM

68. UNITED STATES SOLDIERS' AND AIRMEN'S HOME

69. UNITED STATES TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

70. VETERANS AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF

71. STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

72. LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

73. OTHER, please explain below.

74. If you selected "Other," above, please explain:
Enter your response

Your Company

75. My company is primarily a:
	Select 1
a. Third party reverse auction website host
b. Software company that produces or sells reverse auction software
c. Full service reverse auction provider
d. Other, please explain
If you chose "Other," please explain:

76. My company’s total dollar value of Government reverse auctions conducted during Fiscal Year 2006 was:
	Select 1
a. Less than $1M
b. $1M --<$5M
c. $5M -- <$10M
d. $10M -- <$20M
e. $20M -- <$30M
f. $30M -- <$50M
g. $50M -- <$100M
h. $100M -- <$500M
i. $500M and Greater
j. Prefer not to disclose

77. What typical fee structure does your company use to charge for your reverse auction service?
	Select 1
a. Standard rate of ___% of final auction value, not to exceed $___.
b. Standard rate of ___% of final auction value
c. Share in savings of ___% of total savings, not to exceed $___.
d. Share in savings of ___% of total savings
e. Other, please explain
If you chose "Other," please explain:

Please indicate which of the following contract types are practical for reverse auctions

78. Fixed-price contracts
SA-Strongly Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree

79. Cost reimbursement contracts
SA-Strongly Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree

80. Incentive contracts
SA-Strongly Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree

81. Indefinite Delivery contracts
SA-Strongly Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree

82. Time and Materials, Labor Hours contracts
SA-Strongly Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree

83. Blanket Purchase Agreements, Basic Agreements or Basis Ordering Agreements
SA-Strongly Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree

84. Other, please explain below
SA-Strongly Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree

85. If you chose "Other" above, please explain
Enter your response

Please indicate your level of agreement:

86. Language should be written into the Federal Acquisition Regulations or Agency Acquisition Regulations to provide guidance on the use of reverse auctions.
SA-Strongly Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree

87. Congress should mandate the use of reverse auctions.
SA-Strongly Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree

88. The Government should provide procedural guidance for vendors that participate in reverse auctions.
SA-Strongly Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree

How could the Government improve its use of reverse auctions?

89. Limit RA participation to those vendors whose supplies/services have met specific technical criteria.
SA-Strongly Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree

90. Provide a functionality similar to that offered on Amazon.com® and Ebay.com® where buyers can view summary statistical information and feedback about sellers.
SA-Strongly Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree

91. Provide a functionality similar to that offered on Amazon.com® and Ebay.com® where sellers can view summary statistical information and feedback about buyers.
SA-Strongly Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree

92. Standardize registration, procedures, and fee structures.
SA-Strongly Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree

93. Increase reverse auction training and guidance for government acquisition officials.
SA-Strongly Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree

94. Increase reverse auction training and guidance for industry participants.
SA-Strongly Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree

Industry Day?

95. If the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) held an “Industry Day” where reverse auction service providers and software companies discussed how Government buying activities could more effectively use reverse auctions, I would attend.
SA-Strongly Agree A-Agree D-Disagree SD-Strongly Disagree

Additional Comments?

96. In six sentences or less, please provide any additional feedback you wish to give on the questions above, as well as how the Government can most effectively use reverse auctions. For example, describe an innovative use of reverse auctions and the outcome, best practices or lessons learned.
Enter your response

97. Please indicate if we may contact you by providing your email address and phone number.
Enter your response

98. 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):
Enter your DUNS number:

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 responses will serve to improve Federal procurement processes.

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