A tool, called the Skills Matching Application (SMA), allows a user, such
as a hiring manager, to communicate requirements to technical service
suppliers in a way that significantly reduces the process time and
improves the accuracy of requests sent to suppliers. The SMA is accessed
from a Web-based Requisition/Catalog (REQ/CAT) Web application. A user
who needs to request a technical contractor accesses the REQ/CAT Web
application which brings the user to the SMA Web site. The SMA
application, after requiring a password and profile (for first time
access) to be entered, takes the user through a series of screens which
prompts the user to enter a Statement of Work (SOW) and complete a skills
detail checklist for each of the technical skills requested. Once the
request is completed, it is submitted to contracted suppliers who are
sent an e-mail notification notifying the supplier that a new request has
been entered into the SMA application for them to review and submit a
candidate against. This e-mail has a standard formatted attachment which
contains the statement of work and skills detail checklist. The
suppliers, when they receive an e-mail request, access the Web site
database to view the request details. A supplier provides a candidate or
candidates by accessing the SMA Web site and submitting candidates and
appending resumes as appropriate. The supplier provides a response to the
SOW by responding to the entries with the candidate's skills, experience,
etc. The requestor views the supplier responses and associated resumes
and can either accept or reject each candidate submitted but cannot
accept more than the number of candidates requested.