GSA SCHEDULE – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why You Should Get on the GSA Schedule
What is a GSA (General Services Administration) Schedule Contract?
- Contracting Registration Procedure used to Streamline the Federal Procurement Process
- Multiple-Award, Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contract
- Vendor Verification Process, including Commercial Sales Practices, Capabilities, Financials, Past Performance, and Pre-Negotiated Pricing & Terms to Facilitate Purchases
- The Buying Process is Simplified Because GSA has Completed a Significant Portion of the Procurement Process on Behalf of Federal Government Buyers across all Agencies
(Shopping Catalog of Products & Service – i.e. Think ‘Amazon’ for Federal Government Buyers.)
Why Obtain a GSA Schedule Contract?
- The Most Widely Used Government Contracting Vehicle
- Accounts for Over $45 Billion in Annual Federal Government Procurement
- Provides Credibility & Access to Additional Procurement Opportunities
(State & Local Governments can purchase from any GSA Schedule Category for Disaster Recovery) - Allows for a Shorter, Simplified Sales Process
(Orders Average 15 days versus 268 days with Open-Market Bidding)
Why Do Agencies Prefer Purchasing Through the GSA Schedule?
- There Are No Order Limitations
- Avoids Formal Bidding Process
- Pricing & Terms are Pre-Negotiated with GSA to be “Fair & Reasonable”
- Meets all Applicable Regulations & Competition Requirements
Determine Eligibility
- Products/Services that Fit Within the GSA Schedule Program
- At Least 2 Years in Business (Balance Sheet & Income Statement)
- SAM & DSBS Registrations Current & Optimized
- All Products Listed on the GSA Schedule Contract must be manufactured or “Substantially Transformed” in the U.S.A. or a Trade Agreement Act (TAA) Designated Country.
- History of Financial Stability and Past Performance
- Proposal Development – Administrative, Technical, Pricing Sections & Negotiations
GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Consolidation
- 24 Legacy GSA Schedules Consolidated into a Single MAS Contract
- GSA MAS Contract Consists of 12 Large Categories, 83 Subcategories, and Approximately 300+ Special Item Numbers (SINs)
- GSA eLibrary is the Primary Source for GSA Contract Award Information
GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Consolidation – Large Categories
Market Your GSA Schedule
- Market Research – Contract History, Expiring Contracts, Agency Spending
- Are Buyers Using the GSA Schedule to Purchase What You Offer?
- Do Your Competitors Hold a GSA Schedule?
- What Agencies and Offices Should You Target for Sales? (RADAR, GPS, FCP)
- Avg. Time to Self-Complete 200-300 Hours, $9,600 – $14,400
(Based on $100k annual compensation for business owner, approx. $48/hour) - Contract Valid for 5-Years with (3) 5-Year extensions (20 Year Contract)
($25k annual sales to maintain)
VA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS)
- In addition to the GSA Schedules, the VA has nine (9) Multiple Award Schedule programs specifically for Pharmaceuticals and Medical-Related Equipment, Supplies and Services.
- Accounts for Over $14 Billion in Annual Federal Government Procurement
- Supports the Healthcare Requirements of the VA and other Federal Agencies by providing access to over 1 million state-of-the-art commercial products and services.
- There is a link in the FSS Number that provides additional detail regarding each schedule: https://www.fss.va.gov/fss/
| FSS | Description |
| 65 I B | Drugs, Pharmaceuticals, & Hematology Related Products |
| 65 II A | Medical Equipment & Supplies |
| 65 II F | Patient Mobility Devices |
| 65 II C | Dental Equipment & Supplies |
| 65 VII | Invitro Diagnostics, Reagents, Test Kits, & Test Sets |
| 65 V A | X-Ray Equipment & Supplies |
| 66 III | Cost-Per-Test, Clinical Laboratory Analyzer |
| 621 I | Professional & Allied Healthcare Staffing Services |
| 621 II | Medical Laboratory Testing & Analysis Services |
FedBiz Access works with contractors to ensure their federal registrations are current and compliant. FedBiz Access has a large database and directory for federal contracting that is affordable and useful for identifying and competing for federal awards. The business development services include Targeted Market Research, Set-Aside Certifications, and GSA Schedule registrations.
FedBiz Access helps companies build a clear path from registration to award.
