What is the GSA Schedule and How to Get on it
In the world of GovCon, GSA Schedule Contracts are a great source of income. Though limited in terms, the deliverables are open-ended and indefinite. That means that any federal and some state and local government customers can order an unlimited amount of products or services from the contract holders.
What Does GSA Stand For?
GSA stands for the General Services Administration. Established in 1949, the self-funded agency developed regulations and policies to manage real estate and federal buildings, organize and maintain global supply chains, provide IT solutions for the federal government, manage and acquire vehicles and oversee financial management.
The GSA is most known for its GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Contracts, also referred to as the Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Contracts. The GSA Schedule Program streamlines the process of purchasing products and services for GovCon projects.
The agency uses the Industrial Funding Fee (IFF) to continue operations, even if government shutdowns close other agencies on a temporary basis.
Learn the basics of GSAs and how to get on a GSA Schedule to enjoy maintaining a steady flow of work and achieve your GovCon goals.
What Is a GSA Schedule Contract?
The GSA Schedule contracts involve multiple parties and uses contain pre-negotiated terms and conditions, such as the prices, delivery terms and warranties.
One of the most popular GSA schedule contracts is known as an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract. The IDIQ comes in handy when the specific amount of products or length of services for a project is unknown.
With an IDIQ, the government agency can place an order for an ongoing service over a length of time. The contracts typically have minimum and maximum quantity limits for supplies and services. Hired contractors must be ready to meet those expectations.
Benefits of Getting on GSA Schedules
Learning how to get on a GSA schedule offers many advantages, including:
Streamlined Process
Enjoy a simplified way to sell to government agencies without lengthy bidding. Working with GSA schedules gives you the convenience of pre-negotiated prices, terms and conditions.
Predictable Sales
Gain access to buyers who are looking for contracting products and services. Providing consistent sales to the government allows you to increase and maintain a steady cash flow.
Increased Credibility
Increase your experience when you sell products or provide services to government agencies. Becoming a GSA contract holder offers a way to become more credible and trustworthy in the industry.
Competitive Edge
Spend less time and money on your marketing efforts. Being associated as a trusted supplier or contractor for the government gives you a competitive edge.
How to Get on GSA Schedules in 4 Steps
Follow our tips for how to get a GSA Schedule Contract for your business.
Step 1 – Preparation
The first thing you’ll want to do is prepare all of the documents and credentials that you’ll need to be considered for a GSA Schedule Contract.
The general requirements are as follows:
- You’ve been in business for at least two years and have a minimum annual revenue of $25,000.
- Your financials are healthy.
- You meet Trade Agreements Act (TAA) compliance, meaning all your products and services listed on the GSA Schedule Contract must be made or “substantially transformed” in the USA or a TAA-designated country.
- You are aware of your resources and have an accurate idea of your company’s capabilities, given those resources.
Step 2 – Gather Application Materials
Register for free on the System for Award Management (SAM). Once that’s done, you’ll want to determine the appropriate GSA Schedule Special Item Number (SIN) for your business.
For example, if your business specializes in training on hardware, software, cloud and other applicable services, you’ll want the SIN for Training Courses, which is 611420.
You’ll need to download the GSA MAS Solicitation and applicable attachments.
Step 3 – Develop Your Proposal
After you’ve gathered all your materials, you’re going to have to write a proposal. Talk about what your company brings to the table, and make sure you can back up your boasts with data and numbers.
Gather all the required documents based on solicitation and application attachments.
When you have everything together, including your spectacularly well-written proposal, you’re going to want to submit it through GSA’s eOffer system online.
To submit through the eOffer system, you have to register and then begin the offer submission process. Remember that you’ll be required to provide the complete submission and documentation. Then, double-check with the government that they have received your proposal.
After the submission is completed, one of the authorized negotiators identified in eOffer will reach out to you and become your primary point of contact.
Step 4 – Wait
While the GSA reviews your proposal, you might hear back from them about some clarifications they need. If things are going well, the GSA will eventually reach out for contract negotiations.
After negotiations are finished, the final proposal will be clarified and reviewed. After that, congratulations! You’ve gotten a GSA Contract awarded to you.
BOOST Can Help You Get a GSA Schedule Contract
Unfortunately, those steps we’ve listed out are a lot more involved when it comes to actually getting them done. If you’re a small or mid-sized GovCon company, then you might not have a lot of bandwidth open for the entire process. Or maybe the idea of organizing everything and writing a proposal and all that back-office stuff just seems like a lot of hassle to get done correctly.
Don’t worry — that’s why we’re here. At BOOST LLC, we can help you get a GSA Schedule Contract. We’ll do the organizing and writing for you, so you’ll have extra time to focus on the more pressing matters.
If you’re thinking about going after a GSA Schedule Contract, but you’re not exactly sure how, or you just don’t have the time, contact our team today and learn how we can help.
We can also help you with a lot of other back-office work, like government contract accounting, government contract services, HR services for government contractors and more.
To learn how we can help you achieve your GovCon business goals, schedule a consultation today! Our experts look forward to giving you more information about our services and answering your questions.
