Discover Contracting Opportunities with GSA’s Forecast Tool

Navigating the world of federal contracting can be challenging, especially for small businesses trying to enter the market. With ever-changing procurement needs and competitive bidding processes, staying ahead demands the right tools and strategies. That’s where the GSA Forecast Tool comes in—a resource designed to highlight upcoming opportunities and empower businesses to identify them early.  […]

GSA MAS Refresh #24

The General Services Administration (GSA) released the latest Refresh #24 to its Multiple Award Schedule (MAS), accompanied by Mass Modification A888 to incorporate changes to the overall solicitation, as well as modifications specific to certain Large Categories and Special Item Numbers (SINs), which apply uniformly to all existing schedule holders offering products and services. In […]

GSA MAS Refresh #23

The General Services Administration (GSA) released the latest Refresh #23 to its Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract last week, accompanied by Mass Modification A887 to incorporate changes to the overall solicitation, as well as modifications specific to certain Large Categories and Special Item Numbers (SINs), which apply uniformly to all existing schedule holders offering products […]

GSA Case Study: Consolidating MAS Contracts to Unlock Additional Benefits 

The Challenge: A company was navigating the complexities of managing two General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contracts. As one of these contracts approached the end of its current option period, it required undergoing the option renewal process to exercise the next option. Differences in terms and conditions between the two contracts compounded […]

GSA MAS Refresh #22

The General Services Administration (GSA) released the latest Refresh #22 to its Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract this month, accompanied by a mass modification (mass mod) to incorporate changes to the overall solicitation, as well as modifications specific to certain Large Categories and Special Item Numbers (SINs), which apply uniformly to all existing schedule holders […]

Helpful Pricing Hints

Pricing

Know the Escalation: So many contractors, subcontractors, and vendors are stuck in the mindset that 2-2.5% escalation is the acceptable range. False! Take a look at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Employment Cost Index (ECI) – like this one Employment Cost Index – March 2024 (bls.gov) – and you’ll get a better understanding of […]

Teaming Agreement Types

Teaming Agreements tend to follow a basic recipe, but there are two primary types:  exclusive and non-exclusive.  How should you decide which is best for your company, and what are the risks that come with each option?  Some of the driving factors in determining whether to team exclusively include the type of contract the team is pursuing and the anticipated contract term, the workshare distribution, and the fairness of any exclusivity provisions in the Teaming Agreement.  

How to Obtain a GSA Schedule Contract

The world of the General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contracts is an exciting venture for businesses aiming to tap into the realm of government contracting. GSA Schedules offer a gateway to lucrative government contracts, with federal, state, and local government buyers investing over $45 billion annually through this contracting vehicle to access […]

Purchasing System Compliance – Unauthorized Commitments

Unratified Purchase Errors.  In business-speak we call them procedural missteps, broken processes, or deviations from procedures.  Colloquially, we use phrases like “cart before the horse” or “cut across the infield” and “blew it this time”. DCMA calls them “Unauthorized Commitments”. 

If you are a GovCon subject to the DFARS Purchasing System rules, you most likely have Unauthorized Commitments from time to time. FAR 1.602-3 defines an Unauthorized Commitment as an agreement that is not binding solely because the representative who made it lacked the authority to enter into that agreement.  The most common example is a project manager directing a seller to get to work before authorization from the purchasing department.  Sound familiar?