Ask Professor PTAP questions on how to sell to the government!

This Month's Question: They call me Mr. Dibbs!

Dear professor PTAP:

I keep hearing about a Dibbs board? What is it, and how can it help me in federal contracting?

Signed Interested Seller

__________________________________

Dear Interested Seller:

If I told you there was an online portal whose sole purpose is to outfit our military, would you be interested in selling them your product?

Well, you're in luck! The DLA-BSM Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS) is a web-based application that provides interested vendors with the capability to search for, view, and submit secure quotes on Requests For Quotations (RFQs) for items of supply included in the DLA Business System Modernization (BSM) Program.

The great thing about DIBBS is that it also allows users to search and view Request For Proposals (RFPs), Invitations For Bid (IFBs), Awards and other procurement information related to the BSM program. It is where the three defense supply centers post all of their opportunities.

This is the website to the Defense Logistics Agency DIBBS board.

https://www.dibbs.bsm.dla.mil/

Although any opportunity valued over $25,000.00 must be posted on Fed Biz Opps, the Dibbs board includes all opportunities arising from the three defense supply centers.

The three centers are Columbus, Richmond and Philadelphia. These three centers are the main purchasing hubs that take care of all military bases and our war fighters.

(Note! Oftentimes, representatives from call centers will participate in regional Matchmaker Events or visit NH to provide training).

But what do the call centers buy? Each handles different products and services. For example:

• Columbus: buys maritime & land weapon systems, missile systems & electronic spare parts.
  
• Richmond: buys all aviation support.
  
• Philadelphia: buys all food, clothing, medical, general and industrial supplies.
  

If you notice certain commodities you would make coming from one direct center, then you can market directly to them also. Pay attention to what each center purchases since there is no sense in marketing your product to a center that is not authorized to make the purchase.

So, let's do some market research to see if there is anything coming out of the three defense supply centers that you would make. . .

First, let's visit the website for the DIBBS board and see what they might be requesting. Remember, it's https://www.dibbs.bsm.dla.mil/.

Please click into the link "Request for Proposals (RFP) / Invitation for Bid (IFB)" and then click into the Red button on the right that says "View all RFP / IFB" and see what is out there today from the three defense supply centers.

OR you go back to the Dibbs.bsm.dla.mil homepage and click into... "Request for Quote (RFQ)" to narrow down the search even further.

There is a good way to do this.

1. Pick a search category (ies). . . like a FSC code or a nomenclature and type in a word/nomenclature

Go down and check off "items with bid sets". (Items with drawings)

Hit submit (green button at top).

Up will come items with drawings/bid sets within the category you picked.

2. If you find items of interest that you can make, you should register on the DIBBS board. Once registered, you can then quote electronically as a vendor to make/sell items to the centers.

3. Go into the link BSM Supplier Information Resource Center and read about becoming a VENDOR for / with them.

4. Then travel back to the Dibbs.bsm.dla.mil homepage, and go into the technical data page "DLA-BSM Bidset Interface" page.

TIP: You should get yourself registered on the US/Canada Joint Certification Program � this will allow you to get technical data after you are approved. Better to get registered early rather than later when you need some data and have to wait.

U.S./Canada Joint Certification Program System - Defense Logistics Information Service (DLIS) lookup service of the U.S./Canada Joint Certification Program System via the World Wide Web. DLIS is the only source for the administration and functionality of the certification process.

Keep in mind that if you are receiving solicitations from our bid match program, your profile can be written so that the service will pull opportunities from the Defense Supply Centers. The solicitations will direct you to the DIBBS bid board because their bids are done electronically on this site. That is why you would register with them to quote electronically.

Also note that there are many bids on this site below $25000.00 that you will not see on Fed Biz Opps. Just one more reason to visit, and visit often.

One last point before we send you on your way. You can request a manual called "Logistics Operations Defense Logistics Agency - Customer Assistance Handbook". Just visit http://www.dla.mil/J-4/cust_req.asp for your free (yes, free) copy. It's everything you wanted to know about the DLA. Not great night time reading, but it's essential if you are serious about selling to the DLA.

I hope this helps. Now start your research!

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