Access Certificates for Electronic Services

Before you begin.


Technical issues when requesting certificates using SAFARI Non-Safari users may continue the registration process.

Many of our customers have been experiencing technical difficulties when using the Apple Safari internet web browser to obtain the GSA ACES Business Representative Identity Certificates required to log on to the GSA's eOffer/eMod web site.

Note: We have updated our certificate servers to be more compatible with Windows Vista and Windows 7, if you are using Internet Explorer, you can skip this information and click the green "Next" arrow at the bottom of the page.

Apple Safari performs certificate functions as part of the operating system (rather than as a function of the actual web browser). This means that when using those web browsers you are also interacting with the computer's operating system. There are multiple factors that can impact performance of certificate functions, including custom security policies, system permissions (even for users that have full administrative rights), system registry entries, etc.

[Side note: The statement above is also basically true for Microsoft Internet Explorer.]

The Mozilla Firefox web browser comes with its own certifcate store, so its certificate functions are not affected by the computer's operating system.

Please Note: Apple Safari can (and does) use the certificates perfectly well. The problems are experienced in creating the certificate, which must be done on your computer. Once the certificate acquisition process has been fully completed, you will be able to move your certificate into the web browser that you wish to use.

Therefore, in order for ORC to better serve you, and to minimize technical difficulties for you, we ask Apple computer users to obtain your certificates by using the Mozilla Firefox web browser. The entire procedure would be... Install the Mozilla Firefox web browser available at http://www.mozilla.org/. After you have installed Mozilla Firefox, please re-boot your computer. [If you do not have full administrative rights on your computer, you might need the assistance of your internal computer support personnel to install the web browser.] Then, in Mozilla Firefox, go back to eoffer.orc.com and follow the Green Arrows through the certificate Request Process. Follow the directions on the printed Certificate Request Form (should be about 4 pages), and send the certificate request package to the address indicated on the Certificate Request Form. ORC will issue the certificate and send you a Certificate Issuance Notification email within 3-5 business days of ORC's receipt of the certificate request package (assuming that all directions have been followed and package is complete and correct). [During this time do NOT uninstall not update the Mozilla Firefox web browser. The certificate private/public key-pair will exist in the Firefox certificate store. Updating Firefox may destroy the key-pair. Uninstalling Firefox will definitely destroy the key-pair and render the corresponding certificate unusable.] When you receive the email, use Mozilla Firefox to execute the instructions on the email. The email will tell you: how to import the completed certificate into Firefox to make a back-up file of the certificate, with a link to detailed instructions on that process to test the certificate (Optional) After you have made the back-up copy of your certificate (and only after you have made the back-up copy of your certificate), you may uninstall Mozilla Firefox. You can then import your certificate into Internet Explorer from the certificate back-up file.
Additional details regarding these issues are listed here.