TransportMAX, an independent corporation formed by Booz Allen Hamilton in partnership with the American Public Transportation Association, will open for business Monday, April 1. The eMarketplace was designed to facilitate the buying of goods and services in the public transportation industry. "TransportMAX will enable transit agencies and their suppliers to significantly reduce the time and costs involved in the acquisition of products and services," said APTA President Bill Millar. Products to be offered to the transit industry include solicitation management and procurement services such as online processing and management of IFBs, RFBs and RFPs. The Website will also feature electronic catalogs, storefronts, auctions and industry information and links. TransportMAX has been operating as a pilot project since December 2001, with nine transit authorities and more than 270 suppliers. During that period, the agencies posted more than 265 RFQs and made nearly 200 awards valued at $165,000. The site can be accessed at www.transportmax.com.