We first announced the launch by Ranger Data Technologies of its new Boocoo auction platform for newspapers and broadcasters back in March, and reviewed its private beta on the Boston Herald site June 14. But now it’s official – Boocoo is taking on EBay via about 300 U.S. newspapers so far.

Commitments we know of include Chicago’s Sun Times Media Group, the Herald-Standard in Uniontown, PA, the Times Leader in Wilkes Barre, PA,  The Daily Sentinel in Grand Junction, Colo., and some Paxton Media and Stephens Media properties.

According to MyWebTimes.com,  Chicago consumers will soon be able to bid on service providers via Sun Times properties.

“The service providers (painters, carpenters, landscapers, etc.) will be able to respond to projects and/or proposals from local consumers and businesses that have placed a “request for quote” on Boocoo for the service they need,” said The Times Company site.

Here’s the Ranger Data announcement.