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 they are 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.

The potential benefits of such a contract have many individuals wondering how to get on a GSA Schedule. After all, such a contract could lead to a stable income and a trustworthy reputation in the community at large. However, the actual application process can be more than a little intimidating, given the layers upon layers of writing and paperwork.

That’s where we come in. We’ll walk you through the basics of GSA Schedules and give you a taste of the application process so that you can achieve your GovCon goals.

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 best known for its GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contracts, also known as Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contracts. GSA Schedules streamline the process of purchasing products and services for GovCon projects by connecting government agencies with relevant commercial contractors who can get them what they need based on the terms and conditions included in the GSA Schedule contract.

The GSA uses the Industrial Funding Fee (IFF) to keep its doors open, which allows it to operate even if a government shutdown temporarily closes other agencies. As a result, both the contractors involved and the government are able to get what they need on an expedited timetable.

To know what the GSA Schedule is in depth, however, you need to understand the contract itself.

What Is a GSA Schedule Contract?

GSA Schedule contracts involve multiple parties and contain prenegotiated terms and conditions, such as prices, delivery terms and warranties. They offer a level of stability and convenience that is hard to beat. For some contractors, the prenegotiated aspect may feel stifling, but for others, it is a golden opportunity to create a reliable partnership. Contract-holders must adhere to the contract, provide the requested goods or services, and stay in compliance with GSA standards and practices.

A contract with the GSA is known as an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract. An IDIQ comes in handy when the specific number of products or length of services for a project is unknown and the government agency needs to keep a contractor on standby to provide those products or services at a moment’s notice.

With an IDIQ, the government agency can place an order for an ongoing service over an unspecified length of time. The contracts typically have minimum and maximum quantity limits for supplies and services, but hired contractors must still be ready to meet expectations when requests come through. They can meet those demands indefinitely, so long as the minimum and maximum quantity limits aren’t exceeded and the contract isn’t ended.

Benefits of Getting on GSA Schedules

Acquiring a GSA contract with the federal government offers many advantages.

1. A Streamlined Selling Process

Enjoy a simplified way to sell to government agencies without lengthy bidding. Working with GSA Schedules gives you the convenience of prenegotiated prices, terms and conditions, which can speed up sales and minimize paperwork and other bureaucratic hassles.

2. Predictable Sales

Gain access to government buyers who are looking for the specific products and services you offer. Providing consistent sales to the government allows you to increase and maintain a steady cash flow with a level of consistency that is tough to come by.

3. Increased Experience and Credibility

Increase your hands-on experience and expertise when you sell products to or provide services for government agencies. Becoming a GSA contract holder also offers you a way to become more credible and trustworthy in the industry and market at large.

4. A Competitive Edge

Spend less time and money on your marketing efforts. Being seen as a trusted supplier or contractor of the government gives you a competitive edge that can elevate your business within your community and industry.

How Do You Get on a GSA Schedule?

The GSA will support you through the process of applying for a GSA Schedule contract, as they want to have access to relevant contractors whenever government agencies need them. The official steps of the application process are as follows.

1. Prepare

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. Acquiring and arranging all of these resources may take some time, but in the long term, it will speak to your rigor as a contractor and make a good impression, so be thorough.

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 U.S. or a TAA-designated country.
You are aware of your resources and have an accurate idea of your company’s capabilities, given those resources.

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 also need to download the GSA MAS Solicitation attachment and any other application attachments that are relevant to the products and services you offer as a government contractor.

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 claims with data and numbers. You should also gather all the required documents based on the solicitation and application attachments you downloaded in the previous step.

When you have everything together, including your spectacularly well-written proposal, submit it online through GSA’s eOffer system.

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, so have everything on hand and ready to go. Then, double-check with the government agency 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 for the final stage of the application process.

4. Wait

While the GSA reviews your proposal, you might hear back from them about some clarifications they need. Follow up with these clarifications promptly and thoroughly. 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 been awarded a GSA contract.

BOOST Can Help You Get a GSA Schedule Contract

Unfortunately, the steps we’ve listed out are a lot more involved when it comes to actually getting them done. If you’re a small or midsize GovCon company, then you might not have a lot of bandwidth available 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 to do it or you just don’t have the time, contact our team today and learn how we can help.

If your business already has a GSA Schedule contract, we’re here to help with your back-office work, too. We specialize in 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.