The Benefits of GSA Schedule – Selling to government agencies at all levels. This includes federal, state, and local is done through the GSA Schedule Contract. Thus, one may wonder: what is a GSA contract?
The United States government established GSA Schedule Contracts to provide federal agencies with a straightforward way to obtain products and services. However, without going through the hassle of locating the right supplier or manufacturer.
Doubtlessly, using a GSA contract to market to government agencies is a smart move. Aside from making it easier to find open bids, filing a GSA Contract application will assist buyers in identifying qualified suppliers.
Read on to know more about what is a GSA Contract.
How do you get on the GSA Schedule?
The Benefits of GSA Schedule, obtaining a GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Contract can be done in a variety of ways. Because of the terminology, it is easy to get the impression that it is just about filling out a short registration or application form. To earn a GSA Schedule Contract award, however, you must go through a formal proposal procedure. This award includes getting on the GSA list, receiving a GSA number, getting GSA approved, and securing GSA pricing.
Steps to Get a GSA Schedule Contract
The procedures below provide a high-level summary of getting on the GSA Schedule if your organization is researching GSA contracts and the perks.
Before You Start
1. The GSA must determine eligibility. To begin, your company must have been in operation for at least two years (with an exception for IT fields), have strong financials, and be in TAA compliance.
2. Assess the market.
3. Evaluate your resources.
Getting Started
1. Register on the System for Award Management (SAM).
2. Determine which GSA Schedule Special Item Numbers (SINs) are appropriate.
3. Download the GSA MAS Solicitation and Applicable Attachments.
Proposal Development
1. Obtain the necessary documentation based on the solicitation and any applicable attachments.
2. Prepare a proposal.
3. Use the GSA’s eOffer System to submit your proposal.
Proposal Review
● GSA Review & Clarifications
● GSA Contract Negotiation
● Final Proposal Revision
● Awarding of a GSA Contract Award
● Post-Award GSA Contract Management
What is the purpose of the GSA Schedule?
After knowing what a GSA contract is, it is time to learn about its purpose.
The GSA Schedule, commonly known as the Federal Supply Schedule or the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS), is a long-term government-wide contract with commercial enterprises. This contract allows the government to purchase millions of commercial items and services at fair and reasonable costs.
What a GSA Schedule is and how it works can be best explained in terms of the policy and procedures guided by two major governing regulatory documents:
● Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR): FAR Part 38 establishes rules and procedures that GSA must follow in operating the Schedule program following 41 USC 152(3). When placing orders for products and services under Schedule, federal agencies must follow the procedures outlined in FAR Subpart 8.4.
● General Services Administration Acquisition Manual (GSAM): GSA acquisition policy and practices covered by GSAM.
What MAS Offers
Another way of explaining a GSA contract is by discussing its advantages. Specifically, GSA MAS offers four main benefits:
Regulatory Compliance
Under FAR Part 12, GSA has negotiated commercial item terms and conditions. This includes supplier and service-specific terms and conditions, as well as extra clauses that provide the government with a baseline level of protection. According to FAR Subpart 9.1, GSA assesses each offeror to see if they are responsible, competent contractors.
In addition, offerors are typically assessed based on the following criteria:
● Corporate Experience
● Past Performance
● Quality Control
A GSA MAS also ensures TAA compliance. The TAA, which provides a waiver to the Buy American Act, states that only U.S.-made or designated-country end products may be offered or sold under Schedule contracts.
Fair and Reasonable Pricing
GSA contracting officers (COs) examine whether the costs of goods, fixed-price services, and hourly rates for services are fair and reasonable before granting a GSA Schedule contract.
The GSA also compares the prices or discounts that a company offers the government with the greatest prices or discounts that the company provides to its commercial clients — generally known as “most favored customer” pricing — in addition to other pricing variables.
Fast Order Placement
You can obtain commercial products and services considerably faster with streamlined ordering procedures than you can with open-market methods. When purchasers employ FAR Subpart 8.4 ordering processes, such orders comply with the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA).
Full Product and Broad Service Offerings
Buyers have access to an unprecedented depth and variety of GSA offers. GSA Schedule contractors provide constant coverage and provide the most cutting-edge solutions and technologies.
Furthermore, MAS allows contractors to provide coverage all around the world. Schedule contractors can provide geographic coverage in one of three categories:
● Domestic: includes the 48 contiguous states, Washington, DC, Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, as well as US territories;
● Worldwide: Consists of both domestic and international delivery; and
● Overseas Only: includes deliveries to international locations.
How long is a GSA Schedule Contract?
GSA contracts last for five years (with the opportunity to extend for up to 20 years) and allow you to work with any federal agency. When you get a government contract, your rates will be determined and set. Ultimately, it will be much easier to get government contracts once you have the GSA schedule.
Conclusion
If you are looking into the Benefits of GSA Schedule and their perks, you are right to do so.
It is tough and time-consuming to put up a credible GSA Schedule Contract offer. With an entirely new market on the horizon, however, these challenges pale compared to the benefits that await. After all, with the right resources and professionals at hand, obtaining approval for a GSA Contract bid may be a snap.
