FEDLINK Announces Direct Express for FY2009
 
More than 50 online services vendors participate in FEDLINK's Direct Express program.  Similar to making a purchase using the GSA schedule, FEDLINK customers can place orders directly with online services vendors via the Direct Express option.  Under this streamlined purchasing process, products and service offerings are as comprehensive as always - electronic database publications, document delivery services, associated print publications and specialized access options. 
 
Established as a revolving fund in 2002, FEDLINK, via the Library of Congress, can provide "the procurement of commercial information services, publications in any format, and library support services,...related accounting services,...related education, information and support services" to federal offices and to other organizations entitled to use federal sources of supply.  In addition to interagency transfers for Transfer Pay services, FEDLINK can accept fees from federal agencies that have "passed through" a vendor and have been earned for facilitating federal purchasing, i.e., the vendor pay the FEDLINK administrative fees.

To establish this option, FEDLINK negotiated indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts on a sole source basis with online services vendors.  An IDIQ allows the government to place orders for an indefinite quantity of commercially available supplies or services during a fixed period.

With Direct Express, customers simply cite the FEDLINK contract number on their agency's purchase order and send it straight to the vendor. No synopsis nor further competition is required on purchases over $25,000 as the FEDLINK IDIQ establishes the vendors as sole source for their individual products and services.  When comparing two vendors with similar databases, customers may want to compare prices or choose a vendor based upon their interface.
 
For a complete list of participating vendors and other details, point your browser to FEDLINK Information Alert IA-0901 at http://www.loc.gov/flicc/publications/ia2009/ia0901.pdf 

The vendor receives the purchase order, sets up the customer's account and promptly issues passwords and/or authorization numbers. The vendor will then invoice the FEDLINK customer directly against their agency's purchase order. The customer's agency finance office pays the invoice (and any interest penalties) and reports disbursements to the customer.  FEDLINK does not issue statements of account for Direct Express purchases. 
 
The vendor pays the FEDLINK fee based on the volume of quarterly sales of Direct Express customers. Direct Express customers are responsible for initiating the purchase, managing delivery of the products and services, and paying invoices.
 
For questions on Direct Express, contact FEDLINK Network Operations by phone at (202) 707-4848 or by email to [log in to unmask] For assistance with your current accounts, please call the FEDLINK Fiscal Hotline at (202) 707-4900.