Since the launch of the federal System for Award Management (SAM) in late July, vendors have encountered numerous problems accessing the SAM database. Those problems range from inability to locate a previously established record to slow response time. SAM’s administrator, the General Services Administration (GSA), has directed that capacity be added to the SAM database and other improvements be made.
While improvements to SAM continue to be pursued by the government, SAM’s users themselves can influence SAM’s performance by using a current version of their Internet browser and activating the correct browser settings.
Browser settings can be a factor in whether or not certain features in SAM work. GSA says that SAM is compatible with all of the dominant browsers, including Internet Explored, Chrome, FireFox, Opera, and Safari. What’s important to know, howver, is that the browser being used to access SAM must be a recent version, and that particular settings within the browser must be activated. A detailed guide to each browser and the appropriate settings can be found at: https://gtpacwebpdf.s3.amazonaws.com/Browser-Settings-for-Optimal-Use-of-SAM-08.2012.pdf
Over time, SAM will replace and consolidate several government databases. The initial phase of SAM includes consolidation of Central Contractor Registration (CCR), Online Representations and Certifications (ORCA), and the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS).
_________________________
Recap of recent news involving SAM:
DoD Temporarily Alters Vendor Registration Rule Due to SAM’s Launch Shortcomings – http://gtpac.org/2012/08/dod-temporarily-alters-vendor-registration-rule-due-to-sams-launch-shortcomings/
GSA Issues IBM a Letter of Concern for Problems with Procurement System – http://gtpac.org/2012/08/gsa-issues-ibm-a-letter-of-concern-for-problems-with-procurement-system/
It’s a Mistake to Rush into the SAM Vendor Registration Process – http://gtpac.org/2012/08/%ef%bb%bf%ef%bb%bfits-a-mistake-to-rush-into-the-sam-vendor-registration-process/
CCR Closed until SAM emerges on July 30th – http://gtpac.org/2012/07/ccr-closed-until-sam-emerges-on-july-30th/
SAM Implementation Changed from May 29 to the End of July 2012 – http://gtpac.org/2012/05/sam-implementation-changed-from-may-29-to-the-end-of-july-2012/
CCR Shuts Down on May 23 and SAM goes live on May 29 – http://gtpac.org/2012/05/ccr-shuts-down-on-may-23-and-sam-goes-live-may-29/
SAM Takes Over CCR and ORCA at the End of May — Check Your Records Now! – http://gtpac.org/2012/05/sam-takes-over-ccr-and-orca-at-end-of-may-check-your-records-now/
SAM Deployment Likely To Be Delayed, GSA Might Replace DUNS – http://gtpac.org/2011/10/sam-deployment-likely-to-be-delayed-gsa-might-replace-duns/
- For the latest news involving SAM, please visit: http://gtpac.org/tag/sam.
