Question:   "Is there a mechanism for caching in the e-Commerce Framework?   If so, how do I set it and how does it work?"

Answer:    Yes, there is a mechanism for controlling the length of time items are kept in the cache.   It is located in the web.config file of the PublicStore and it set very easily.   The comment and single line of code is taken from the PublicsStore web.config file:

<!--  Caching value: specify the multiplyer for the caching.   The larger the value the longer items will be kept in cache usually resulting in improved performance. Default is: 5.   Put 0 to disable caching completely.  This is second level cache and will apply only to public site.  The first level cache is configure in the web services configuration file.  -->

<Caching Value="0" />