GSA Advantage! Wins Web Business 50/50 Award for Online Excellence
July 5, 2000

Contact: Eleni Martin (202) 501-1231

Washington, DC - GSA Advantage! has been named a 2000 Web Business 50/50 Award winner. Sponsored by CIO magazine, this award program recognizes innovative Web initiatives by organizations around the world. The July 1 issue of CIO honors the top 50 Internet and top 50 intranet sites that demonstrate a keen ability to blend technology and design of their Web site with the needs of their target audience. According to Megan Santosus, CIO Senior Editor, "It is clear from this year's winners the Internet is no longer an experiment. With dedicated staff, financial resources and executive talent, winners are sending a loud message: The Internet, as an important business medium, is here to stay."

A panel of nineteen CIO magazine editors, writers, art designers and Web development experts reviewed more than 500 nominated Internet sites. A panel of judges reviewed over 200 nominated intranet sites using highly descriptive applications that detailed the functional importance of the site. The judges evaluated hundreds of sites, recognizing the best in their medium and selecting sites that achieved their stated goals.

GSA Advantage! is the largest Federal government Internet based on-line shopping site, operated by the General Services Administration's Federal Supply Service. It allows government customers to quickly and easily conduct procurement research and order product and services to support their agency. This site, which is available at http://www.gsaadvantage.gov, allows government personnel to use the government credit card or their agency accounts to purchase products and services from a database that contains more than one million products from more than 2,000 vendors. Customers can also use their zip codes to sign on and conduct procurement research using the GSA Advantage! database of products and services.

Frank Pugliese, Commissioner of GSA Federal Supply Service said: "I am proud to receive the Web Business 50/50 Award on behalf of the GSA Federal Supply Service. This award validates our strategic vision for GSA Advantage! GSA Advantage!, which began in 1996, enables us to use technology to provide value and efficiency for government personnel and save the taxpayer's money."

Technology and the Web are not only vital components of any organization's success, they are also more important than ever in the new millennium. As the Web becomes more advanced, a compelling online presence is needed to remain competitive and to retain and attract users. CIO honors the 100 sites that exemplify ground breaking business models and set the benchmarks for others to take notice and follow. Complete coverage of the 2000 Web Business 50/50 Awards is featured in the July 1 issue of CIO magazine and at http://www.cio.com.