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
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
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.
Please
click on "Submit
Survey"
only once!
|
|