http://ec21.nbc.gov/ec21

Electronic Commerce for the 21st Century (EC21) is a Web-based product developed at the U.S. Department of the Interior's National Business Center (NBC) to help government agencies and their suppliers save thousands of dollars by reducing processing costs. EC21 inter-operates with each subscribing Federal agency's enterprise payment processing and/or procurement processing system(s). When linked, EC21 helps form an integrated, end-to-end EC solution. Bundled services, including implementation planning, training and operational support, enable subscribing agencies and their suppliers to quickly realize EC21's benefits.

Benefits

Low cost Agency subscription

No cost to Supplier

Internet accessible invoice payment status

Electronic invoice preparation and/or submission

Accelerate Agency invoice payment certifications

Eliminate payment penalties and duplicate data entry

Reduce the time it takes to process and pay supplier invoices Audit trail for invoices paid via Electronic Commerce

EC21 Capabilities

Invoicing: The invoice preparation capability enables registered suppliers to prepare and submit their invoices electronically to subscribing Federal agencies. The invoice processing capabilities enable Agency users to electronically review, accept/reject, and certify incoming supplier invoices for payment. EC21 Invoicing incorporates user role assignments of the invoice submitter and receiving official in the processing of e-invoices, thereby electronically enabling steps that traditionally have been time-consuming and paper-based.

Payment Inquiry: EC21's Payment Inquiry capability enables registered Federal agency and supplier users to view invoice payment status information. The Payment Inquiry features greatly reduce supplier-initiated customer service telephone calls about invoice payment status to subscribing Federal agency procurement, finance, and program office officials.

For additional information, please contact Sharon_D_Williams@nbc.gov