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| Technical issues when requesting
certificates using INTERNET EXPLORER or SAFARI |
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| Many of our customers have been experiencing technical difficulties
when using the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Apple Safari internet web browsers to obtain the
GSA ACES Business Representative Identity Certificates required log on to the GSA's eOffer/eMod
web site.
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Both Microsoft Internet Explorer and Apple Safari perform 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.
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The Mozilla Firefox web browser comes with its own certifcate store, so
its certificate functions are not affected by the computer's operating system.
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Please Note: Microsoft Internet Explorer and Apple Safari can (and do) 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.
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Therefore, in order for ORC to better serve you, and to minimize technical difficulties
for you, we ask that you obtain your certificates by using the Mozilla Firefox web browser.
The entire procedure would be...
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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.]
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Then, in Mozilla Firefox, go back to eoffer.orc.com and follow the Green Arrows through the
certificate Request Process.
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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.
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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.]
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When you receive the email, use Mozilla Firefox to execute the instructions on the email. The
email will tell you:
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how to import the completed certificate into Firefox
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to make a back-up file of the certificate, with a link to detailed instructions on that
process
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to test the certificate
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(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.
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You can then import your certificate into Internet Explorer from the certificate back-up
file.
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Additional details regarding these issues are listed here.
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