GSA issues eTravel RFP

eTravel RFP materials at FedBizOpps.gov

The General Services Administration is going ahead with its eTravel project, issuing its final request for proposals (RFPs) on the project last week.

The total value of the contract could reach $10 billion over 10 years, according to the RFP. GSA plans a three-year base period, followed by options of two, two and three years. The winning contractors will have to design and implement the system, using commercial software when possible. The contract also includes hosting, help desk and other support services.

The eTravel portal will allow federal agencies to plan travel, make reservations, expedite the reimbursement of travel expenses to employees and leverage the government's buying power to reduce the cost of travel management.

GSA issued a draft RFP last October. The final draft incorporates several changes, including:

* GSA will use incentive payments to encourage contractor performance, including reaching full operational capability ahead of schedule or exceeding performance and quality objectives during the three-year base period.

* The evaluation of proposals will consist of two rounds. The first round will establish the range of competition, and the second to select the awardees.

* The project must support FedTrip, the interim governmentwide booking engine, and must accommodate the interagency Travel Management Center services. The winning contractor must also develop a booking engine and a similar set of services within the final eTravel Services system.

Responses are due by March 28. GSA will hold a conference to answer questions about the RFP at 8:30 a.m. March 7 at the Sheraton Crystal City Hotel in Arlington, Va.