Pre-Award Systems Acquisition Processing System (PASAPS)

This Small Business Innovations Research Phase I project will develop and demonstrate the feasibility of an electronic architecture that supports the processes associated with an RFP life cycle. An RFP life cycle begins with the development of an RFP, progresses through an analysis of resultant proposals, and continues beyond the contract award. The resulting new architecture, called PASAPS, will enable computer supported collaborative work amongst many organizationally and geographically diverse entities involved in the RFP life cycle. PASAPS will help to reduce inconsistencies and inefficiencies that currently exist due to several complex factors. The proposed approach integrates strong security with an SGML tagging system and with emerging Web technologies to allow for collaborative authoring, review, and approval of RFPs as well as analysis and comparison of proposals. As the users and processes change during the RAP life cycle, the PASAPs architecture will change to meet the needs of the users. The proposed approach will rely heavily on existing technologies and products in order to meet compatibility and affordability requirements. The overall goal is to improve the quality of RFPs and consistence of proposal analysis. PSAPS will help to achieve this goal in a cost effective and responsive manner.