Federal Computer Network (FACNET) Architecture

By Andy Alexander

The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Council has removed all references to the defunct Federal Acquisition Computer Network (FACNET), an automated purchasing process. In 1994, FACNET was poised to become the preferred means for making purchases valued between $2,500 (the micropurchase limit) and $100,000 (the simplified acquisition threshold). However, the system was dropped in 1997 after GAO discovered significant management and technical weaknesses. It has since been replaced by other electronic contracting vehicles, such as FedBizOpps (FBO). The rule finalizes, without change, an interim rule published on February 1, 2007 (72 FR 4675).