If your company wants to do business with the federal government, your company will almost certainly need to be listed in ORCA.
This database of government vendors' online representations and certifications applications (hence the ORCA acronym) is the web-based replacement for the paper-based "Reps and Certs" applications that businesses previously were required to include with their proposals for large government contracts.
With the ORCA system, you submit your application only once electronically, instead of having to complete a separate paper application for each contract bid. Government contracting officials can then quickly and easily review your vendor information online whenever they want.
Once your company is in the database, you can access and update your information any time at http://orca.bpn.gov. When responding to a solicitation, you either certify that your ORCA representations and certifications are current or make any necessary changes.
You’ll need to register in ORCA if the solicitation requires your company to be listed in Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database, the federal government's primary vendor-information repository. (Learn why you should register for the CCR).
Be aware, however, that because ORCA records are considered public information, anyone who knows a registrant’s DUNS number and has access to the internet can search for the registrant's records.
How to Register with ORCA
Before you register with ORCA, you will need two items active in the CCR: a record and an MPin . An MPin gives a CCR registrant access to the Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS), ORCA, and grants.gov.
For more details about ORCA and how to complete your ORCA application, consider downloading the ORCA handbook, which contains instructions on how to register with and search ORCA as well as a glossary of the terms used in the ORCA questionnaire.
If you still have questions regarding ORCA after downloading the handbook, check with your nearest Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) office.
