FAQs

What is SicommNet?

SicommNet is an Application Service Provider (ASP) founded by the individuals who developed the Nation’s first public agency electronic commerce system for competitive procurement.  The SicommNet system is known as BaSEC (Buying and Selling by Electronic Commerce) and the MarketPlace but branding is customized to each agency using the system.

What are the main benefits to businesses utilizing SicommNet’s system?

You will receive personalized bid notification emails filled with bidding opportunities that best match the products and/or services you provide. Opportunity notifications may include Request For Quotations (RFQ), Request For Bids or Invitation To Bid (RFB/ITB), Request For Proposals (RFP), and Request For Information (RFI) or contracting opportunities from, state, county, and city government agencies.

What are the system requirements necessary to use the MarketPlace and BaSEC systems?

The only requirement is a simple Internet connection. However, the recommended browser to use while navigating the MarketPlace and BaSEC systems is Microsoft Internet Explorer version 8.0 or higher. Firefox, Chrome and Safari can be used but may not support all of the system features and functionality.

Why do I want to register as a Supplier or Vendor?

By registering as a supplier or vendor you will have 24 hour access to online bidding opportunities from the States of Idaho and Hawaii as well as the City of Albuquerque and the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority. Additionally, you may upgrade your service and elect to receive extended opportunity notifications from the multiple state agencies tracked by SicommNet’s MarketPlace system.

What Commodity Codes are utilized by the SicommNet eProcurement System?

All of SicommNet’s systems and solutions utilize the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP) commodity coding system which corresponds to usage by State and Local Governments. This system encompasses more than 400,000 service and product descriptions, codes and sub-codes. SicommNet provides a simple and intuitive search system to determine which codes best describe the products and/or services you sell.

Do I have to pay a fee to register?

There is no fee to register as a vendor to use the SicommNet eProcurement solution. However, we do provide an upgraded service for $149.95 annually which searches multiple state websites for online opportunities that match your commodity profile. Notifications are bundled and sent in a single email message. These additional opportunities are tracked and accessible within your upgraded account.

I work for a government agency/public organization. Can my agency/organization post purchasing notices through SicommNet’s MarketPlace so that my members can read and respond to them?

Yes! Please contact us to discuss how to expose your agency/organization’s bids to thousands of new vendors or to discuss SicommNet’s complete e-Procurement solution.

How does the SicommNet e-procurement system benefit public agencies?

SicommNet saves agencies money while making its purchasing practices more open and accessible. Our eProcurement solution eliminates the cost, paperwork and time involved in contracting. The current method of awarding contracts less than $25,000 involves soliciting offers by phone or fax, a time-consuming and sometimes unfair practice. By using SicommNet’s eProcurement system, agencies are spared the time to solicit offers under the current method as registered businesses are automatically notified whenever the agency submits and/or updates an online solicitation.

How does SicommNet’s eProcurement benefit vendors/contractors?

While there can be no guarantee that any vendor will receive an award for their goods or services, they can be assured that if there is a request for a good or service that they provide and have met the criteria set up by the agency, they will receive a notification of the solicitation and an equal opportunity to compete for awards.

What are the differences between SicommNet and other eProcurement companies?

SicommNet was the first company to develop and implement the electronic bid and response ASP service specifically for public agencies. SicommNet’s public agency customers describe the system as the most comprehensive and robust eProcurement system available for public buyers. SicommNet is also the only company that offers the complete end-to-end solution for agency buyers and vendors as well as private sector buyers.

What agencies does SicommNet’s MarketPlace cover?

Currently, our eProcurment system provides you bidding opportunities from the states of Idaho and Hawaii, as well as the City of Albuquerque and Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority, all of which can be responded to electronically. Additionally, SicommNet’s MarketPlace system tracks thousands of opportunities from state agencies to include Texas, Georgia, Florida, Missouri, Maryland and Arizona.

To find out if your state and/or local agencies are covered, or to request them to be included in our tracking system, please email us.