Among first to implement Department-wide web-based acquisition system
Reduced procurement costs
Cut purchase order issuance time by 66%
Strategically aligned with Integrated Acquisition Environment
Supported DOL receiving PMA “green” scorecards on all five initiatives
DOL initiated a Department-wide program to streamline, standardize, and automate its procurement processes. The initiative set out to improve business processes for planning, managing, and reporting on the Department's $1.7 billion in annual procurements, specifically through the following:
- Eliminating agency-specific workflows
- Integrating procurement with other business processes and systems
- Ensuring reliable and accurate financial information
- Leveraging GSA and agency-specific contracts
- Enhancing vendor partnerships
- Leveraging use of purchase card payments
- Improving customer service
Aquilent replaced the existing procurement system with one that integrates information across programs from a single point of entry. The solution also simplifies business and financial management by providing a set of standard procurement processes. The DOL E-Procurement System (EPS) provides DOL with a single information source for its procurement activity. Aquilent has also produced custom reports that provide DOL management with the information they need to monitor and report on their active procurements, such as small business utilization and acquisition cycle efficiency.
Aquilent actively sought to address DOL's specific needs through the following measures:
- Held business process analysis workshops to gather requirements and define standardized processes
- Launched pilot implementation to ease transition and advertise the benefits of the new system
- Implemented industry standard Web-based interfaces, including Web services using XML over Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) and Microsoft Biztalk Transformations
- Developed training and change management strategy to ensure end-user acceptance
- Established a Functional Leadership Committee to provide a steering committee for enhancements to the system
EPS aligns strategically with the Integrated Acquisition Environment Presidential Priority Initiative. In addition, DOL realizes the following benefits:
- The first agency to receive PMA “green” Scorecards on all five initiatives (EPS was one of the programs that contributed to DOL receiving a "green")
- Dramatically exceeded the E-Government transaction expansion goal
- Cost reductions from streamlining, standardizing, and automating procurement and workflow processes
- Support of vendor relationships through leveraged purchasing power, relationship enhancement, and prompt payments
