A GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract may open up a brand-new market for your business. You can sell to federal agencies, several foreign organizations, as well as state and municipal governments under certain programs if you are a GSA Schedule contractor. The GSA MAS program offers businesses a wide range of options, but it's not essential for everyone.
When deciding whether to achieve a prime GSA Schedule, your business should first confirm that it can adhere to all GSA contractor standards. Although the GSA schedule requirement stage might initially appear intimidating, we have assisted many customers through it. Don't worry; we will guide you through the details you'll need to know before you receive a GSA contract.
Step 1: Verify Your Eligibility to Become a GSA Contractor
Make sure you are qualified to work as a GSA contractor before starting the process of filing a GSA Schedule proposal. GSA wants to make sure you are a trustworthy business with a specific level of expertise, sound financials, and the ability to offer goods or services that comply with legal GSA schedule requirement.
The following are the prerequisites that must be met for your organization to sell throughout a GSA Schedule:
Before obtaining a GSA Schedule contract, prospective contractors must have operated their firm for at least two years. However, if a contractor meets the standards for the Springboard Program, they may be exempt from this requirement (under any Large Category).
A minimum of three Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) reports or three to five client references are required by GSA.
The GSA Schedule requires contractors to provide finished Statements of Work and descriptions of prior projects with a scope comparable to each Special Item Number (SIN) they are proposing.
Your goods must also be "fair and reasonable" priced and TAA-compliant, as we go into more depth about below.
If you do not fulfill all of these standards, you may always think about working on a contract with a licensed GSA Schedule reseller or, if you are a small firm, becoming a subcontractor.
Your Items Must Comply With TAA Regulations
The Trade Agreements Act must be followed for all goods supplied to GSA (TAA). Your items must either be "substantially converted" into a new and distinct article of commerce in the U.S. or a designated nation to be TAA-compliant, or they must be "wholly produced or manufactured" there. Russia, China, India, and Malaysia are just a few of the nations that are NOT TAA-compliant. Check out our most recent TAA webinar if you want more information on this rule.
Any offeror wishing to resale goods whose manufacturer is NOT listed on the Verified Products Portal must additionally provide Letters of Supply (VPP). For each manufacturer they intend to resell to the government, offerors are obliged to file a Letter of Supply. This will guarantee that you always have a consistent supply of any goods that potential government customers could wish to obtain through your GSA Schedule.
Pricing Must Be "Fair and Reasonable"
All goods must be allocated a GSA discount from their commercial costs, and GSA is expected to establish that all goods and services awarded under a GSA contract have "fair and reasonable" pricing.
GSA does this using two different techniques: first, they examine your Commercial Sales Practices to establish your Standard Commercial Prices, and second, they consider your Most Favored Customer (MFC) discount (this is the greatest standard discount you offer). Then, GSA will accept a little bit more of a concession than your MFC.
However, if you want to participate in Transaction processing Data Reporting (TDR), you are exempt from disclosing your commercial sales practices. The GSA will next assess whether your products and services fit within a range they deem to be "fair and reasonable" based on comparable items currently on GSA Schedules using its own domestic economic research technique.
Make Certain You Cannot Be Rejected or Disqualified
You cannot be banned or prevented from having a GSA contract, which is one of the most crucial conditions. Even though it would seem apparent, it's crucial to confirm that not only has your organization not been blacklisted or excluded from handling federal contracts but that the people who will function as a point of contact with GSA haven't too.
Additionally, it's crucial to confirm that no organizations or people with the same or similar names have been blocked or excluded. If they have, you should remark your offer to let GSA know. SAM.gov offers exclusion and expulsion status checks.
Step 2: Create a SAM.gov account
The next step is registration if you determine acquiring a GSA Schedule is the best option for your business. Before applying for a GSA contract, you must register your company on SAM.gov, often known as the System for Award Management (SAM). You'll need the following to finish it:
Taxpayer Identification Number of your organization (TIN)
Financial Data of Your Entity (US Bank Electronic Funds)
Transfer) for the aim of paying the Federal government
No EFT information must be provided by foreign firms.
Information on executive compensation
At least one NAICS code that matches the capabilities of your firm
Measures of your entity's size
contact details for at least one business POC that can operate as both the government business POC and the electronic business POC You will also receive a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and a CAGE Code or NCAGE Code as part of the registration process. The official identifiers required to transact with the government are unique entity IDs. For GSA mailings, payments, and administrative records, CAGE Codes serve as your company's physical address, whereas NCAGE Codes are for organizations with global operations.
Step 3: Learn about the GSA Schedule Proposal Process
You want to be ready before you create a pitch or proposal for any project, right? To prepare yourself for the GSA Schedule proposal process, you should educate yourself on the paperwork and preparation required. Many of our clients begin the process alone before seeking assistance since it can be difficult to manage if you are unfamiliar with the terminology used in government contracts or do not have the time and resources to devote.
The proposal is divided into three pieces for a basic overview:
The administrative area provides a summary or profile of your business. It contains details like your organizational structure, SAM registration, employee handbook, and financial data from the previous two years.
Technical Area: In this section, you can show that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide the goods and/or services you plan to make available via a GSA Schedule. It comprises evaluations of prior accomplishments and completed projects (for services).
The price section is where you will lay down your policies and procedures, along with the supporting evidence you'll need to back them up.
As you can see, a GSA Schedule proposal contains a lot more information than first seems. Before you begin writing a proposal, it is advised that you go over all the GSA schedule requirement and supporting materials.
Ready to Request a GSA Schedule?
If you satisfy all of the aforementioned qualifications, you should proceed to the Multiple Award Schedule offer procedure. Remember that even if you fulfill all GSA schedule requirement to be a GSA contractor, it doesn't guarantee that you will be given a GSA Schedule. The GSA Schedule purchase procedure is complex and, if carried out improperly, may result in rejection. However, you will have a greater chance of success if you take the time to educate yourself on the procedure and ask for support when necessary.
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