Office Hours:
Monday to Friday
9 am to 7 pm EST
Tel: 212.281.3295
Address:
P.O. Box 2688
New York, NY 10185-2688
Getting On A GSA Schedule
GSA contracts are available to both large and small businesses able to provide nationwide or local services and products. Like any business looking to sell its products or services to the government through the GSA, our goal is to get you on a GSA Schedule and obtain your GSA number.
What that means is GSA manages what is called the Federal Supply Schedule Program, which has two parts: the Single Award Schedules (SAS) and the Multiple Awards Schedules (MAS).
Single Awards are contracts made for a specific product at a stated price for delivery to a geographical area, as defined in the SAS. The distinguishing principle here is that these contracts are for a specific item only.
The more popular Multiple Award Schedules (MAS) are long term, government contract with commercial firms that provide commercial services and products that can be ordered directly by government buyers from GSA Schedule contractors or through GSA Advantage, GSA’s online shopping and ordering system. GSA Schedules cover a vast array of brand name items from office supplies to furniture and from perishable goods to laboratory equipment, as well as a wide range of services, such as accounting, engineering, management, graphics design and landscaping.
The phrase “to get on schedule” means to become a GSA schedule contractor. To do this you must first be awarded a contract. In order to obtain a GSA Schedule contract, you must submit an offer in response to the applicable Schedule solicitation. GSA uses practices similar to those found in the commercial buying arena and awards contracts to responsible companies that offer commercial items falling within the generic description in the Schedules.
Contracting Officers determine that prices are fair and reasonable by comparing the prices or discounts that a company offers the GSA with the prices or discounts that the company offers to its own commercial customers.
Why government buyers prefer to order via GSA Multiple Award Schedules instead of procuring on the open market? There are some very good reasons. When government buyers orders against a GSA MAS contract, they are considered to have met federal regulations regarding competition, pricing, and other socioeconomic requirements. In addition, government buyers know that to be “on schedule” GSA Schedule contractors have already been screened for quality, responsibility and reliability and other criteria during the application process; therefore government buying offices save time, money and trouble to having to go through that process themselves.
The benefit of being “on schedule” are clear. Although the process can be somewhat long and complicated, we are here to assist you. Why, because it is worth it for you and your company in the long run. So let’s look at the easiest and quickest ways to move through the process of getting “on schedule” as well as tips for marketing your GSA Schedule contract after you have been selected. Call us today to discuss the benefits!
About the Author
Jacquéline Edwards is a Business Solution Analyst with over 15 years experience for Business Pipeline, Inc., a Business Development and Professional Training Firm designed to assist entrepreneurs, small businesses and corporations in key methods, strategies, support and resources to help start, manage and grow a business.
©1997 - 2008 Business Pipeline, Inc. All Right Reserved
