Over the past year, Electric Boat has spent a great deal of time with other General Dynamics business units, researching e-commerce providers specializing in business-to-business (B2B) procurement solutions.  Our goal was to leverage the efficiencies of an Internet-based solution and streamline the commerce process for both General Dynamics and our respective supply chains.  We have decided to partner with Ariba Sourcing for our procurement needs based on the value the product creates for both buyers and suppliers. 

An important decision factor for us was the ability to maintain strong relationships with our supply base.  The General Dynamics Sourcing Exchange (powered by Ariba) ensures this by enabling us to bring our entire supply base online.  The fully hosted technology provides you with proven security, reliability, and ease of use.  There is no infrastructure investment required of you. 

The General Dynamics Sourcing Site will mirror the traditional RFQ process while reducing inefficiencies for all participants in the sourcing lifecycle.  We will create and post RFQs online.  You will be notified of these new RFQs that are specifically relevant to your business.  You will be able to view RFQ-specific engineering drawings and technical documents online, and provide information regarding your quality standards and other specific technical capabilities.  A real-time electronic bulletin board allows for question and answers (Q & A) within each RFQ.  All invited suppliers will then have the opportunity to provide bids on line.  We are confident the entire supply chain will realize a reduction in negotiation time and costs associated with traditional administrative sourcing tasks.  There is no cost to you to use the General Dynamics Sourcing Exchange.  All that is needed is a Windows computer with an updated browser (Internet Explorer 5.5 or later, Netscape Navigator 6.0 or later).  You will also need Windows 98 or higher operating system.  Unfortunately, Macintosh operating systems are not supported. 

In the near future, you may be receiving an e-mail inviting you to participate and providing you with a user name, a password, and the URL address for the General Dynamics Sourcing Exchange.  At that time, you will be able to register as a User and become familiar with the General Dynamics Sourcing Exchange process.  After you have successfully logged in the General Dynamics Sourcing Exchange Web Site, we highly recommend that you download and print the following User Training Information:

•  A detailed Supplier User Guide specifically developed for the General Dynamics Sourcing Exchange that will guide you step by step through the sourcing process.  This detailed Supplier User Guide is provided as an Acrobat pdf file on the Electric Boat Supplier's Home Page, Section 8.3, and can be downloaded / printed for immediate use.
•  After you have successfully logged in the General Dynamics Sourcing Exchange Web Site, a more general Supplier User Guide published by Ariba can be downloaded / printed from the "Support Button" hyperlink located on the bottom right hand corner of each GD Sourcing Exchange Screen.
•  In addition, General Overview "Help" Screens are available via the "Help Button" located at the top of each GD Sourcing Exchange Screen.
• On Line Supplier Education Training through Ariba Sourcing is available at http://onlinelearning.ariba.com/Supplier/AESSuppliersRole.asp

We are looking forward to continuing our relationship with you well into the future.  Thank you for your cooperation during the transition to the General Dynamics Sourcing Exchange.  If you have any questions or comments about this process, please feel free to contact the applicable E-Procurement Team Leader listed below for your particular commodity / service or the applicable Electric Boat Buyer that you normally do business with.
 

• Brian Lundie (blundie@ebmail.gdeb.com) Raw Materials, Subcontracts, Machining, Valves, Fittings
• Donna Bourn (dbourn@ebmail.gdeb.com) Specialty / OEM Materials, Rubber Products, Engineering Services, Fasteners
• Eric Dudda (edudda@ebmail.gdeb.com)  Electrical / Mechanical Components
• Peter Potts (ppotts@ebmail.gdeb.com) Facilities, Capital, Overhead Material and Services, Contract Services

Raymond Wong
General Dynamics Electric Boat
E-Procurement Implementation Manager