Unleashing Opportunities for 8(a) Certified Businesses: Extra Boost with GSA MAS Contract
The SBA and GSA have signed an 8(a) Program Partnership Agreement to increase award opportunities for 8(a) firms on a GSA MAS Contract. The goal is to make the contract award process easier of small disadvantaged businesses.
This new joint initiative was recently signed between the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) and the General Services Administration (“GSA”). The collaboration, known as the 8(a) Multiple Award Schedule (“MAS”) Pool Initiative, was designed to increase federal contracting opportunities for small disadvantaged businesses certified by the SBA under the 8(a) Business Development Program.
The partnership is part of the administration’s overarching goal to promote economic equity and diversity while increasing federal contracting awards for small businesses.
The plan involves the creation of an 8(a) MAS Pool, a grouping of 8(a) certified firms that have been awarded a GSA MAS Contract. This allows government agencies to contract directly with 8(a) firms without going through the competitive bidding process, thus making the award process faster and less complicated.
The intent is to simplify procurement by providing a clear point of reference for federal agencies looking to contract directly with small disadvantaged businesses. Once accepted into this pool, 8(a) participants gain a special designation confirming their eligibility on the GSA MAS for 8(a) sole source and competitive set-aside awards, thereby increasing their visibility and potential for engagement within agencies shopping on GSA Advantage.
This groundbreaking initiative further cements the administration’s commitment to leveling the playing field for minority-owned and small disadvantaged businesses. This development is set to make the acquisition process more flexible and efficient, providing government buyers with greater access to a wide range of 8(a) contractors and enabling them to meet their small and socio-economic business contracting goals.
The GSA’s MAS program represents an effective tool for government buyers to access products, services, and solutions at pre-negotiated prices and terms, further promoting the cause of 8(a) certified small disadvantaged businesses.
While the initiative provides a promising avenue for small disadvantaged businesses, the process of becoming either 8(a) certified with the SBA or MAS contract awarded by the GSA, is known to be complex and daunting for many businesses. This is where FedBiz Access, a leading government business development firm, steps in.
FedBiz Access specializes in assisting businesses in navigating the complexities of the 8(a) certification and GSA MAS contract award process and helps them compete for sole source and set-aside contracts. With an experienced team and a deep understanding of the federal contracting landscape, FedBiz Access helps businesses analyze their eligibility, guides them through the application process, and offers continued support.
This partnership with FedBiz Access can be a game-changer for small disadvantaged businesses aspiring to expand their reach into the federal marketplace, especially in light of the new 8(a) MAS Pool Initiative. By harnessing the potential of this new program and leveraging the expertise of FedBiz Access, more small disadvantaged businesses stand to reap the rewards of federal contracting opportunities.
For more information on how FedBiz Access can help your business seize these new opportunities, visit their website at www.fedbizaccess.com.
FedBiz Access (“FedBiz”) has an experienced team that works with small businesses and takes the time to get to know your business and ask questions to ensure you have a solid contracting plan. FedBiz is a leading government contracting business development and marketing firm that provides engagement strategy coaching, SAM & DSBS registration, set-aside certification registrations, GSA Schedules, and targeted market research.
FedBiz has over 22 years of experience working with thousands of companies worldwide to help them win over $35.7 billion in awards. From registration to award, FedBiz helps businesses succeed in the government marketplace.
Your Government Registration Level (“GRL”) is your roadmap from registration to award
The SBA certifies small businesses considered to be socially and economically disadvantaged under its nine-year 8(a) Business Development (BD) Program. The 8(a) BD Program provides significant opportunities for participants to develop and grow their businesses, generate wealth, and create jobs in historically underserved communities through powerful contracting tools, such as sole source and set-aside contract award opportunities. The program also involves regular business development training with SBA specialists, providing one-on-one counseling, business workshops, and management and technical guidance programs.
GSA’s MAS program consists of long-term, government-wide contracts (5 years plus 3 additional 5-year renewal periods) that provide government buyers access to products, services, and solutions at pre-negotiated prices and terms. MAS is organized into 12 major categories and further subdivided into Special Item Numbers (SINs) that represent the products and services sold and bought on the schedule. The GSA MAS is the premier purchasing vehicle used by the federal government.
