What legislation addresses the use of Electronic Commerce in Government?  Section 850 of Public Law 105-85, also known as the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998, details the requirements for the use of electronic commerce in Federal procurement. This Act places the responsibility on Government agencies to establish, maintain and use, to the maximum extent that is practicable and cost-effective, procedures and processes that employ electronic commerce in the conduct and administration of its procurement system.

Other key elements of the Act include:

• Applying nationally and internationally recognized standards.
• Facilitating access to Federal Government procurement opportunities, including small business concerns, socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns, and women-owned business concerns.
• Providing agency requirements or solicitations for contract opportunities in a form that allows universal access through a single, Government-wide point of entry.

Methods Used By the State Department to Publicize Contracting Opportunities

Statebuy Interactive Platform: The Statebuy Interactive Platform (SIP) is an Internet-based tool that Department of State contracting officers worldwide can use to post procurement opportunities on the Internet. The SIP can be accessed from the Department of State, Office of the Procurement Executive’s web site (http://www.statebuy.gov). Just follow the links, starting with "Business Opportunities - Contracts and Grants." Companies can search for business opportunities on the SIP, can download solicitations from the site, and can submit bids and proposals electronically. Companies can also subscribe to the SIP at no cost to be notified by e-mail when new business opportunities are posted to the site. The business opportunities appearing on the SIP are also announced in FedBizOpps.