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The Basics About GSA Schedules
Is your business on the schedulethat is, the GSA Schedule? If
its not, youre missing out on potentially lucrative contracts
with the U.S. General Services Administration.
GSA secures the buildings, products, services, technology, and
other workplace essentials that federal agencies use to conduct
business. GSA Schedules allow procurement officers to quickly
find small businesses that can meet their needs.
Also known as Multiple Award Schedules, GSA Schedules are
contracts that allow federal customers to purchase more than
6.8 million supplies and services directly from more than
8,600 commercial suppliers. GSA Schedules cover the gamut of
commercial items, from office supplies and laboratory equipment
to accounting and landscaping services.
How the GSA Program Works
Under the GSA Schedules Program, GSA enters into contracts with
commercial firms to provide supplies and services at stated
prices for given periods of time. Orders are placed directly
with the Schedule contractor, and deliveries are made directly
to the customer.
The GSA Schedules Program provides government customers with
high-quality commercial supplies and services at volume discount
pricing on a direct-delivery basis. All customerseven those in
remote locations are provided the same services, convenience,
and pricing. The Schedules Program offers the benefits of shorter
lead-times, lower administrative costs, and reduced inventories.
Contracts are awarded to responsible companies that offer
commercial items falling within the general descriptions listed
in the GSA Schedule solicitations. GSA contracting officers
will determine the fairness of vendors government pricing by
comparing it to what theyre offering their commercial customers.
To make this comparison, GSA requires contractors to provide
their commercial pricelists and disclose information regarding
their pricing and discounting practices.
Types of Schedules
GSA Schedules fall into two main categories: Multiple Award
Schedules (MAS) and Single Award Schedules (SAS). MAS cover
contracts awarded to firms supplying comparable commercial
supplies and services at varying prices. SAS cover contracts
made with one supplier for a specific product at a stated price
for delivery to a geographical area defined in the Schedule.
Additionally, GSA may establish Blanket Purchase Agreements
(BPAs), which simplify the filling of recurring needs for
supplies or services, while leveraging a customer*s buying
power by taking advantage of quantity discounts, saving
administrative time, and reducing paperwork.
For vendors, BPAs can streamline the ordering process and make
it easier to work with the government on an on-going basis. A
GSA Schedule BPA can last up to five years in lengthor even
longer to meet program requirements.
Obtaining a GSA Schedule
To become a GSA Schedule contractor, you must first submit an
offer in response to the appropriate GSA Schedule solicitation.
Next, youll need to determine the appropriate GSA Schedule
solicitation that covers your supplies or services. You can
accomplish this using any of the following three ways,
according to GSAs official Website:
1. Review the GSA Schedule Solicitations link on the GSA Website
at http://www.gsa.gov. to determine the applicable GSA
Schedule and corresponding solicitation number under which
the supplies or services may be offered. A point of contact
is provided for each Schedule solicitation. If the applicable
Schedule solicitation can be identified by this method, click
on the Solicitation Number to be linked directly to the
solicitation files in FedBizOpps. Download the solicitation
and follow the instructions in the document.
2. Search Schedules e-Library at on the GSA Website at
http://www.gsa.gov. You can search by keyword to identify
supplies or services covered, as well as the point of
contact that can provide specific information about
individual Schedule items. If the applicable solicitation
can be identified using this method, click on *Vendors:
View Solicitation on http://FedBizOpps.gov.* Then download
the solicitation and follow the instructions provided.
3. Visit Federal Business Opportunities at
http://www.fedbizopps.gov to acquire a copy of the GSA
Schedule solicitation. FedBizOpps is the single government
wide entry point for federal government procurement
opportunities over $25,000. Click on the Helpful Hints for
Using FedBizOpps link for step-by-step information about how
you can search by GSA office, solicitation number, or keyword
to locate and download the applicable Schedule solicitation.
Then just follow the instructions in the solicitation
document.
Obviously, the GSA represents tremendous contracting
opportunity for small businesses. For more information
about how to successfully sell to the government, visit
http://www.winfederalcontracts.com .
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Robert Moment is a successful business coach, consultant and
author of It Only Takes a Minute to Score, which is currently
available at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble. His company,
The Moment Group, (http://www.winfederalcontracts.com), has
been winning federal government contacts for 17 years and
offers powerful insight to help other businesses do the same.
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