13.0 Viewing Postings on FedBizOpps

The FedBizOpps system provides two methods in which you can check the status of your posting. You can “Browse Active Postings” or use the “Synopsis/Award Search Page”.

Please Note: It is the buyer’s responsibility to check the status of their posting on FedBizOpps. If you have posted a notice, and your notice is not on FedBizOpps, please contact the FedBizOpps Help Desk at 877-472-3779 or fbo.support@gsa.gov for assistance.

13.1 Browse Active Postings

A. Active Procurement Opportunities

The FedBizOpps system provides you with the ability to view active procurement notices by Posted Date, Classification Code, NAICS Code, Set-Aside Type, as well as the ability to view active awards for a particular Agency/Office/Location.

To browse active postings, click on “MAIN” from your buyer account, or go to www.fedbizopps.gov and click on “Vendors”.

Figure 13.1: FedBizOpps for Vendors

You can browse active postings for a particular agency by the agency acronym (using the dropdown box) or by a listing of agencies in alphabetical order. If you would like to view a list of all agencies, click on “All”.

Figure 13.2: Agency List

Each agency will be listed along with links to Offices, Posted Dates, Class Code, NAICS Code, Award, and Set Aside.

Clicking on the “Offices” link for a particular agency will allow you to view active postings for a particular office within an agency. You can then drilldown even further by clicking on the “Locations” link within an office to view the active postings for a particular location within the office of an agency.

To view the active postings for a particular agency, click on “Posted Dates” next to the agency name. In this scenario, we will view the active postings for the Department of Agriculture. Click on “Posted Dates” next to the Department of Agriculture listing.

Figure 13.3: Department of Agriculture Active Postings

All of the active postings for this agency are listed here starting with the current date. To view active postings from previous dates, click on the link near the top of the page. Each listing provides:

• Agency, Office and Location that posted the procurement notice.
• Date Posted
• Type of notice posted (Synopsis, Modification, Solicitation, etc.)
• Classification Code
• Title
• Solicitation or Reference Number

You can also view active postings by Classification Code, NAICS Code, or Set Aside Type. Clicking on “Class Code” will display the active postings in order by classification code, while clicking on “NAICS” will display the active postings in order by NAICS Code. Clicking on “Set Aside” will display the active postings in order by set aside type.

To view the actual posting, click on the highlighted links for the opportunity. In this case, click on the highlighted link for “Amendment 01”.

Figure 13.4: Listing Page

Clicking on “Synopsis” will bring you to the listing page for this solicitation number. The listing page lists everything posted to a particular solicitation number. In this case, a synopsis, solicitation, modification and two amendments have been posted to this solicitation number. To view any of these postings, click on the highlighted link. It is recommended that you first view the synopsis, as this gives a basic description of the opportunity, along with point of contact information. Click on the highlighted link for “Synopsis”.

Please Note:

• Presolicitation Notices, Special Notices, Sources Sought Notices, Foreign Government Standards, and Sale of Surplus Property will all be listed as “Synopsis”.

• Modifications will be listed as “Modification”.
• The Combined Synopsis/Solicitation will be listed as “Combined Synopsis/Solicitation”.
• The Amendment to a Combined Synopsis/Solicitation will be listed as “"Amendment to Combined Synopsis/Solicitation”.
• Uploaded documents will be listed as “Solicitation”, “Amendment”, or a header chosen by the contracting officer, such as “Response to Questions”.
• Modifications are used to “modify” synopses, whereas amendments are used to “amend” solicitation packages. The combined synopsis/solicitation is used when the procurement is announced and issued at the same time. Amendments to a combined synopsis/solicitation function similarly to modifications.

Figure 13.5: Synopsis

Figure 13.6: Synopsis

The “Register to Receive Notification” button ties into our Vendor Notification Service.

There is also a link to “Numbered Notes”. Numbered Notes are Footnotes. The purpose of the Numbered Notes is to eliminate the unnecessary duplication of information that appears in various announcements. If a Numbered Note is included in the description of a notice, the note referred to must be read as part of the posted notice.

Postings with the header of “Solicitation” or “Amendment” indicate documents uploaded to the solicitation number. To view the uploaded document(s), click on the highlighted link for “Solicitation”, “Amendment 01”, or “Amendment 02”.

Figure 13.7: Attachments Page

Clicking on “Solicitation”, “Amendment 01”, or “Amendment 02” will bring you to the attachments page for this solicitation number. The attachments page lists all of the documents uploaded to a particular solicitation number. Each document listing includes:

• Document Description
• File Size (This will be “N/A” if the documents are hosted on another site using the “INDEX” function)
• File Type (This will be “N/A” if the documents are hosted on another site using the “INDEX” function)
• “All Files” Zip Compression File

To view a particular document, click on the highlighted link in the “Description” field. You can view, download, and print these documents directly from the FedBizOpps site.

A zip compression file has also been provided for the convenience of vendors. To download the zip file, click on the highlighted link for “All Files”. This is a zip compression file of all of the documents in a particular upload, that is, all of the documents listed immediately above the zip file. By clicking on “All Files” under “Solicitation”, you will download a zip compression file of the 14 files uploaded to the header “Solicitation”.

On each attachments page, there is a link to the “Document Viewer List”. If vendors find they cannot open a file because their computer does not recognize the file type, they can open the document viewer list to obtain the necessary software. Buyer’s can submit additional suggestions for the document viewer list to the FedBizOpps Help Desk at 877-472-3779 or fbo.support@gsa.gov.

B. Active Awards

Figure 13.8: Agency List

To view the active awards for a particular agency, click on “Award” next to the agency name. In this scenario, we will view the active awards for the Department of Agriculture. Click on “Award” next to the Department of Agriculture listing.

Please Note: The “Award” button will only pull up active awards. Archived awards can be accessed via the Synopsis/Awards Search page as described below.

Figure 13.9: Department of Agriculture Active Awards

Click on the highlighted link for “Award” to view the award notice.

Figure 13.10: Award Notice

The FedBizOpps system includes an extensive search capability.

Figure 13.11: FedBizOpps Home Page

To utilize the search page, click on “MAIN” from your buyer account, then “Find Business Opportunity”. From the FedBizOpps home page at www.fedbizopps.gov, click on “Go” next to “Find Business Opportunity”.

Figure 13.12: Synopsis/Award Search Page

Figure 13.13: Synopsis/Award Search Page

The search page allows you to search by ONE or MORE of the following search criteria:

• Keyword Search
• Active or Archived Documents
• Synopses or Awards
• Solicitation or Award Number
• Date
• Set-Aside Code
• Procurement Classification Code
• NAICS Code
• Agency/Office/Location
  
• Search within a search (refine results)

The following wildcard characters may be used when using the search capability:

Use "*" to replace one or more characters;
Use "?" to replace any one character.

A. Full Text Search Field

The Full Text Search field supports keyword searches and boolean search strings using AND, OR, and parenthetical grouping.

To search for notices including the word “maintenance”, enter “maintenance” into the full text search field.

Please Note: You can enter keywords without quotation marks, but the search results may contain a broader range of information. Without quotation marks surrounding the keyword, the full text search field will look for root words of the word entered, as well as the word you entered. If you are looking specifically for the word “maintenance”, we recommend that you enter the keyword with quotation marks.

To search for notices including the words “information technology”, enter “information technology” or “information” AND “technology” into the full text search field.

To search for notices including the words “transportation” or “railroad”, enter “transportation” OR “railroad” into the full text search field.

To search for “information technology” or “transportation”, enter “information technology” OR “transportation” into the full text search field.

B. Documents to Search

You can search the active or archived documents database separately or simultaneously. Generally, active documents are those procurement opportunities that are still “active”, whereas archived documents are those that are no longer active.

The notice may be unarchived in the event that the response date has changed and/or new information needs to be posted to the notice.

C. Synopses Type

You can search by specific synopses type. In order to search for one or more synopses types, simply select the corresponding radio buttons.

D. Solicitation or Award Number

You can search by complete or partial solicitation or award number.

Date Range

You can search by date range or date period. To search by date range, enter the beginning and ending dates in the appropriate boxes. To search by date period, a timeframe ranging from the "last 3 days" to "8 weeks" can be specified by using the drop down box. If searching for more than 8 weeks of postings, Vendors should use either the date range feature or select "all days" from the drop down box.

F. Place of Performance Zip Code

You can choose to search by place of performance zip code. Examples of valid zip code search variations are 22000 and 22* (grouped search).

Please Note: To search for notices in state or geographic areas, we recommend using the full text search field. To search for opportunities in Virginia regarding transportation, a valid search entry in the full text search field would be “transportation” AND “Virginia”.

G. Set-Aside Code

You can choose to search by a particular set-aside code, or by multiple set-aside codes. To select multiple set-aside codes, click on a set-aside code to highlight and select it, then press the “Ctrl” key on your keyboard and hold it down while clicking on each additional selection. When selecting multiple set-aside codes, please make sure that the “All Codes” selection is not highlighted.

H. Procurement Classification Code

The FedBizOpps system uses Federal Supply Classification codes.

You can choose to search by a particular classification code, or by multiple classification codes. To select multiple classification codes, click on a classification code to highlight and select it, then press the “Ctrl” key on your keyboard and hold it down while clicking on each additional selection. When selecting multiple classification codes, please make sure that the “All Codes” selection is not highlighted.

Additional information on Federal Supply Classification codes can be found at the following site:

http://www.scrantonrtg.com/secrc/fsc-codes/Groups_new.html

I. NAICS Code

The FedBizOpps system allows Buyers to specify a primary North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for each Opportunity.

You may choose to search by a particular NAICS code, or by multiple NAICS codes. To select a single NAICS code, choose a 3-digit code that corresponds to the industry you are interested in. Once a selection has been made, click the "Filter NAIC" button and select a 6-digit code from the expanded NAICS code listings box. (All searches must specify a 6-digit code) To select multiple NAICS codes, click on a NAICS code to highlight and select it, then press the "Ctrl" key on your keyboard and hold it down while clicking on each additional selection. Following your selections, click the "Filter NAIC" button. The 6-digit NAICS codes for each of the selected industries will be located in the "Filtered NAIC" box in numerical order. Using the "Ctrl" key, make your selections and click the "Start Search" button. When selecting multiple NAICS codes, please make sure that the "All Codes" selection is not highlighted.

Additional information on the North American Industry Classification System codes can be found at the following site:

http://www.census.gov/epcd/www/naics.html

Figure 13.14: Search by NAICS Code

J. Agency

You can choose to search by a particular agency, or by multiple agencies. To select multiple agencies, click on an agency to highlight and select it, then press the “Ctrl” key on your keyboard and hold it down while clicking on each additional selection. When selecting multiple agencies, please make sure that the “All Agencies” selection is not highlighted.

You can also search by a particular agency’s office, or location. To search by a particular office within an agency, highlight the agency and click on “Show Offices for Selected Agency”.

Figure 13.15: Search by Agency

This will give you a list of offices within that agency. Please note that you can only specify an office search within one agency. This capability will not allow you to search for postings by particular offices within multiple agencies.

You can drill your search down further by selecting a specific location within an office. To search by a particular location within an office, highlight the office and click on “Show Locations for Selected Office”.

 

Figure 13.16: Search by Agency/Office

This will give you a list of locations within that office. Please note that you can only specify a location search within one office. This capability will not allow you to search for postings by particular locations within multiple offices.

Figure 13.17: Search by Agency/Office/Location

Once you have filled in the appropriate criteria, click on “Start Search” to execute the search.

Figure 13.18: Search Results Page

Once your results have been returned, you may further refine your search by using our search within a search function. You may continue to refine your search, until the desired results are displayed.

Figure 13.19: Search Results Page

Figure 13.20: Search Results Page

When you are satisfied with the results of your search, view the actual posting by clicking on the highlighted link for the opportunity. In this case, click on the highlighted link for "Amendment 01".

Figure 13.21: Listing Page

Clicking on “Amendment01” will bring you to the listing page for this solicitation number. The listing page lists everything posted to a particular solicitation number. In this case, a synopsis, solicitation, modification and two amendments have been posted to this solicitation number. To view any of these postings, click on the highlighted link. It is recommended that you first view the synopsis, as this gives a basic description of the opportunity, along with point of contact information. Click on the highlighted link for “Synopsis”.

Please Note:

• Presolicitation Notices, Special Notices, Sources Sought Notices, Foreign Government Standards, and Sale of Surplus Property will all be listed as “Synopsis”.

• Modifications will be listed as “Modification”.
• The Combined Synopsis/Solicitation will be listed as “Combine Synopsis/Solicitation”.
• The Amendment to a Combined Synopsis/Solicitation will be listed as “Amendment to Combine Synopsis/Solicitation”.
• Uploaded documents will be listed as “Solicitation”, “Amendment”, or a header chosen by the contracting officer, such as “Response to Questions”.
• Modifications are used to “modify” synopses, whereas amendments are used to “amend” solicitation packages. The combined synopsis/solicitation is used when the procurement is announced and issued at the same time.

Figure 13.22: Synopsis

Figure 13.23: Synopsis

The “Register to Receive Notification” button ties into our Vendor Notification Service.

There is also a link to “Numbered Notes”. Numbered Notes are Footnotes. The purpose of the Numbered Notes is to eliminate the unnecessary duplication of information that appears in various announcements. If a Numbered Note is included in the description of a notice, the note referred to must be read as part of the posted notice.

Postings with the header of “Solicitation” or “Amendment” indicate documents uploaded to the solicitation number. To view the uploaded document(s), click on the highlighted link for “Solicitation”, “Amendment 01”, or “Amendment 02”.

Figure 13.24: Attachments Page

Clicking on “Solicitation”, “Amendment 01”, or “Amendment 02” will bring you to the attachments page for this solicitation number. The attachments page lists all of the documents uploaded to a particular solicitation number. Each document listing includes:

• Document Description
• File Size (This will be “N/A” if the documents are hosted on another site using the “INDEX” function)
• File Type (This will be “N/A” if the documents are hosted on another site using the “INDEX” function)
• “All Files” Zip Compression File

To view a particular document, click on the highlighted link in the “Description” field. You can view, download, and print these documents directly from the FedBizOpps site.

A zip compression file has also been provided. To download the zip file, click on the highlighted link for “All Files”. This is a zip compression file of all of the documents in a particular upload, that is, all of the documents listed immediately above the zip file. By clicking on “All Files” under “Solicitation”, you will download a zip compression file of the 4 files uploaded to the header “Solicitation”.

On each attachments page, there is a link to the “Document Viewer List”. If vendors find they cannot open a file because their computer does not recognize the file type, they can open the document viewer list to obtain the necessary software. Buyer’s can submit additional suggestions for the document viewer list to the FedBizOpps Help Desk at 877-472-3779 or fbo.support@gsa.gov.