What is GSA?
The General Services Administration (GSA) is the centralized authority used by the federal government to manage and acquire resources. Although the GSA is used to manage government-owned and leased buildings, historic properties, and government vehicle fleets, it is best known for developing the Multiple Award Schedules (MAS) Program. The GSA Program is used to streamline contracts with private businesses through negotiations in order to leverage the buying power of the federal government.
What is a GSA Schedule Contract?
Federal Supply Schedules, better known as GSA Schedule Contracts, are indefinite quantity (IDIQ), indefinite-delivery, long-term contracts awarded to commercial businesses under the GSA’s Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Program. GSA Schedule Contracts were designed to help federal organizations purchase products and services. They contain pre-negotiated delivery terms, prices, warranties, and several other terms and conditions.
How do GSA Schedules Make Procurement Easier?
Yes! By purchasing directly from a contractor’s GSA Schedule Contract, time-consuming negotiations and lengthy RFP responses can elimiated from the buying process. Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) between contractors and agencies under each GSA Schedule are put in place to help streamline the needs for any recurring products or services. This dramatically helps to reduce administrative costs by doing away with unnecessary ordering procedures. An agreement between two or more GSA Schedule contract holders, which allows them to work together in order to provide a total solution, is called a Contractor Team Arrangement (CTA). To further simplify things, the GSA Advantage! online shopping portal was created to allow federal agencies to purchase products and services directly through existing GSA Schedule Contracts.
Who can Purchase from the GSA Schedule?
Hundreds of federal customers can utilize GSA Schedule Contracts. Examples are The Department of Defense (DOD), Federal and Executive Agencies, the Government of the District of Columbia, International Organizations, and any Government Contractors Authorized to use Federal Dollars.
What Can I Offer an a GSA Schedule?
Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products and services are designated within the description of each schedule. The GSA will offer Schedule Contracts to companies that offer this type of goods, and demonstrate a certain level of responsibility. Currently, there are more than 11 million commercial products and services that can are purchased through the GSA Schedules. Such products and services included anything from IT professional services to cars and trucks
As a Company, Do We Need a GSA Schedule Contract to Sell to the Government?
Though it is not mandated by law for a contractor to hold a GSA Schedule to do business with the federal government, several federal agencies have chosen only to place orders through GSA Schedule Contracts. Because of this, most companies that do business with the federal government, or would like to do business with the federal government, find it very beneficial to have a GSA Schedule Contract.
Is Our Company Eligible to Obtain a GSA Schedule Contract Award?
Though there are some common criteria to qualify for a GSA Schedule Contract, it can very from Schedule to Schedule. Some of these common criteria include:
• Compliant with the Trade Agreements Act
• At Least 2 Years in Business Past Performance on Products/Services
• Financial Stability
• Commercially Available Products/Services
• Defined by the Trade Agreements Act all end product must be manufactured or substantially altered within the U.S.