HAGERSTOWN, MD (August 1, 2000) - Businesses - large and small - from across Western Maryland will send representatives to Hagerstown on August 10 to attend the State's first-ever "eCommerce Connection" at Hagerstown Community College. The conference, set for 1:00 p.m. at Kepler Theater, will unveil the Department of General Services' (DGS) new Internet-based procurement system, eMaryland Marketplace.

     In the continuing effort to strengthen Maryland's position as a national leader in the high-tech economy, the innovative procurement system is designed to streamline the State's method of purchasing goods and services. Western Maryland businesses will learn how they can supply products and services to the State by employing the fast, easy-to-use, and cost-effective electronic commerce on-ramp.

     "eMarylandMarketplace is the first public procurement system of its kind in the country," said DGS Secretary Peta N. Richkus. "This new system provides an efficient means to improve the business community's access to State procurement information. It also provides greater opportunities to small and minority businesses, secures competitive prices for the State, enhances the efficiency and timeliness of the procurement process and eliminates geographical limitations to agency bid boards."

     eMaryland Marketplace allows DGS to move forward on one of Governor Parris N. Glendening's top priorities, which is to make Maryland the national leader in delivering government services over the Internet. "eMaryland Marketplace dramatically improves customer service for our vendors by enabling them to conduct business with us on-line, and will streamline the process and reduces the cost of public procurement," Secretary Richkus added.

     Establishing eMarylandMarketplace (www.emarylandmarketplace.com) provides significant benefits to State of Maryland procurement organizations as well as the supporting vendor community. Participating businesses will see significant benefits in both reduced costs and in exposure to a larger number of opportunities. The State will benefit from process improvements as well as lower prices resulting from increased competition, aggregate buying power, and greater vendor efficiencies.

     eMaryland Marketplace levels the playing field in the purchasing arena by allowing buyers to conduct business transactions and communications with vendors of any size over the Internet. Beginning with procurement of commodities costing less than $25,000, State agency buyers will use eMarylandMarketplace to perform the functions that have traditionally been accomplished using paper methods and manual entries into the State's financial information systems. Participating businesses will see significant benefits in both reduced costs and in exposure to a larger number of opportunities. The State will benefit from process improvements as well as lower prices resulting from increased competition, aggregate buying power, and greater vendor efficiencies.

     DGS is planning similar meetings with businesses in other areas of the State. The next "eCommerce Connection" will be held in September on the Eastern Shore. October meetings will be held in Prince George's County and in the Baltimore area.

CONTACT:

Dave Humphrey, Director of External Affairs
DGS Office of External Affairs
410-767-4652
E-MAIL: Dave.Humphrey@dgs.state.md.us

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