GSA Schedule Contract FAQ: Get Answers for Your Business
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
What Are the Eligibility Requirements for a GSA Schedule Contract?
- 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
What is the 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
What Are the Large Categories in the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Consolidation?
How Do You Market Your GSA Schedule?
- To market your GSA Schedule effectively, you should conduct thorough market research, including analyzing contract history, expiring contracts, and agency spending. Key questions to consider are: 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 (e.g., using RADAR, GPS, FCP)? Be aware that the average time to self-complete is 200-300 hours, costing approximately $9,600 – $14,400 (based on $100k annual compensation for a business owner, approx. $48/hour). A GSA contract is valid for 5 years with three 5-year extensions (total 20-year contract) and requires $25k in annual sales to maintain.
What is the VA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS)?
- The VA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) consists of nine (9) Multiple Award Schedule programs specifically for Pharmaceuticals and Medical-Related Equipment, Supplies and Services, in addition to the GSA Schedules. It accounts for over $14 Billion in annual federal government procurement and 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. Specific schedules include: 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), and 621 II (Medical Laboratory Testing & Analysis Services). More details are available via the FSS Number link: https://www.fss.va.gov/fss/FSSDescription. FedBiz Access assists contractors with federal registrations, market research, set-aside certifications, and GSA Schedule registrations to help companies navigate the path from registration to award.
| 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.
